Theresa could instinctively feel that whatever source had fuelled her initial inspiration was slowly dying. Yet she did not try to keep holding onto it, accepting the end as the natural cycle of things.

More than anything, she believed in herself. Believed that she could achieve greatness without needing some spark of inspiration from Fate or anything of the sort.

Her surroundings had gotten strange amid her reverie. This was not the interior of her Hermes’ estate nor any building she knew of.

All she could see was a forge, filled with a beautiful crimson flame that seemed ready to burn for all eternity, an anvil, a slab of metal, and a hammer. She realized what this place was immediately.

My inner world.

It was the place that every being could enter once they reached a level close to or surpassed that of a Duke. The soul palace was the Gate of Truth. In this place, time and space were meaningless. An eternity could go here and only an instant would have transpired in the real world.

“It seems like many things have changed.” She muttered to herself. Now that her mind had stepped out of the reveries, she could fully focus on the changes that her body had undergone over the days of her blindly pursuing the spark of inspiration.

I am stronger.

She thought with no particular passion. She had never particularly sought strength.

Things might have been different in her youth when she did not truly understand her worth and was filled with a feeling of inferiority by comparing herself to the monsters she had as a companion. But, after all those years, Theresa realized that she did not enjoy fighting as much as her companions did. She felt no thrill in growing her strength nor in subduing her enemies.

What made her truly happy was scientific research, discoveries, and smithing— bringing the schematics in her mind to reality.

The feeling of metal as it bent to her will.

The satisfaction she felt when people marveled at her creation.

The pride she had in being one of the best smiths in the world.

All those feelings were irreplaceable and made her who she was now. A crafter, a tinkerer, a seeker of truth, and a mad woman who would stop at nothing to attain her objectives.

Realizing this, a pure smile spread on her face. A smile that was born from the joy of understanding her inner self to a higher degree.

“Nothing has changed.” She was still Theresa and her goal was still the same. Surpassing the gods by creating something none of them could.

If so. What then was her Truth? What was the ultimate feeling hidden behind her gate? She smiled as she lifted the heavy hammer. Her dainty hand clenched around it and her eyes trailed over the slab of metal before her. Her Gate, the one leading to her Truth.

It was pretty simple.

Stolen story; please report.

“I believe that Mortal Wisdom is superior to that of the gods.” She laughed while uttering blasphemous words. Yet she showed no hesitation and struck the gate with a mighty blow.

A heavy clang resounded as she made contact. Her hands trembled because of the recoil. The Door was so hard that it seemed like nothing she did to it would change anything.

But she did not waver and once again struck with all her might.

This was her Truth. The realization that was born deep in her heart and the foundation of her Zone.

In this world, mere mortals could never hope to face a goddess. The simple thought was nothing but pure madness and ignorance. Yet wisdom had nothing to do with power and strength.

What did it matter if a goddess could erase her existence with a wave of her hand? This did not make the goddess wise now, did it? Only strong and unbending.

“Mortals can make even the gods fear.”

Clang~!

Another sound. One close yet subtly different from the previous. one. This sound caused Theresa to grin further and strike again and again and again.

At first, her hits were frenetic but it did not take long for her rhythm to change and her technique to evolve.

She was pouring everything into this work. Her knowledge, her fears, her desire, her dreams.

“I wish to be remembered in the ages to come.”

“I wish to become the best crafter in the world.”

“I wish to make even the goddesses beg me to forge for them.”

Childish dreams, serious dreams, dreadful dreams. It did not really matter.

“I want to make mortals fly without using mana.”

“I want to reach beyond the sky and explore the immensity of space.”

She would not let the shackles of reality slow her down or stop her from accomplishing her objectives.

“I will make the impossible possible.”

Even if someone told her that such a thing was impossible. That she was deluding herself and chasing after clouds, she would stand proud and mock them directly.

After all,

“It always seems impossible until it’s done!”

One final strike landed on the gate, causing it to break entirely and a new one formed above her.

A gigantic gate. One much more magnificent than the previous one. It was a work of art in the truest sense.

In Theresa’s mind, four names slowly appeared. Each of them represented an aspect of her skill, power, and aspiration.

The first one was Hephaestus.

She rejected that name. She could feel great power from it but it did not suit her or what she wished to accomplish.

The second name was Prometheus.

Theresa could feel a deep resonance with this name. It was a powerful name. One she was sure would bring her to a new level and yet she rejected it without batting an eye.

This name gave her a feeling of selflessness and dedication. But at her core, Theresa knew that she was not a person of virtue. She did not wish to help mortals for their own sake. Only for her pride and aspiration alone.

The third name was Sindri. [1]

This name made Theresa hesitate the most among the names. She had a feeling that she would be able to create unsurpassed divine weapons with its assistance. However, her aspirations did not stop there. Furthermore, she had already created a divine weapon that would go down in history and would exist as long as Sol lived.

Finally, her eyes landed on one last name.

It was weaker than Hephaestus. It did not possess the grandeur of Prometheus and it did not promise her success like Sindri.

It was a humble mortal name. But from that name, Theresa saw what she researched. The potential to do the impossible and to reach even the sun.

Seeing this, Theresa showed no hesitation. Bringing her hands forward, she grasped that name and fused it with her soul.

She knew this might seem foolish but she felt no regret for her decision. For what better than a Mortal’s name to show the true potential of Mortal’s Wisdom?

“From now on…”

Theresa muttered, her eyes shining as one of the highest Concepts imaginable filled her soul.

“My Avatar is Daedalus.” [2]

If necessary, she would fly to the sun.

“As for my concept…”

She laughed heartily, joy filling every corner of her being… She wondered what Kali would feel later on when they met. After all,

Her concept was <>.

That night. A new King was born. One that would illuminate the world not with her power but with her Wisdom.

This night would represent the start of a new Age. The Age of Mortal Triumph.