CHAPTER 11 – GOD’S WILL

A figure dressed in white, accompanied by a brilliant light and surrounded by complex formations of pure magical essence, had descended from the heavens. However, compared to the previous blinding light that filled the air as the Guardian of the Shrine came forth, this luminescent light felt warm and welcoming. While his outlook might've reminded me of an old human male, his stature implied his birth to be something far more grandiose than that of a mere human. His presence could only be described as godly.

⌈W-Who are you!?⌋

⌈Shouldn’t you know that already? I’m why you came here in the first place, after all.⌋

⌈Care to elaborate?⌋

⌈'Care to elaborate?' he asks... God! I’m a god! You came here to receive my blessing didn’t you!?⌋

⌈Oh, right. I think the old man mentioned something about such… Wait! An actual real GOD!?⌋

Although I did describe the presence as ‘godly’ I didn’t actually think a real god would show up. I’d have been plenty fine just being blessed without being greeted by a god in person, you know!? What an awful system. But, isn't this 'god' a bit immature to be one? The way he acts doesn't exactly remind me of someone of omnipotence.

⌈Arrogant brat… Calling the Arch Sage an old man!? You really are something, young man, but I don’t mind. After all, you’ve done well. So much so that you’ve impressed me. I am the God of Origin, Chrono. I have come here to grant you my blessing, my child.⌋

⌈God of Origin, you say? Wasn’t the God of Origin named Eon? I'm fairly sure he was... I remember debating between Chrono and Eon, but Chrono sounds more like a god of space and time so I ended up with Eon...⌋

Lost in thought about the conceptualization of my stories, I unconsciously rambled to myself.

⌈What!? You fool! I abandoned that na– ...No. That is not the case. My name is Chrono.⌋

Ah, so this really isn’t the very same world from my scribbles… It’s way too similar to be a coincidence though. Anyhow, for a god, he sure doesn’t convey himself in a godly manner. Perhaps I could ask him about my eye?

⌈Oh… Alright. Could you explain a few things to me?⌋

I swiped my bleak, overgrown hair backward, revealing my Eye of Origin. Perhaps a God would know more about me being sent to this world. There’s a lot of other things I want to know too, like if ‘my journeys’ that I wrote about actually happened.

⌈Is that..? No, it shouldn’t be… It can't be!!⌋

⌈You recognize this, right? Eye of Origin. Do you recognize me? I thought maybe you’d know a thing or two about what's been happening...⌋

⌈That scar on your face… There is only one way that would happen, yet not me nor my prior generations have any records of such. No... Could it really be!? That white hair...⌋

The self-proclaimed God of Origin muttered to himself.

⌈Uhh... Excuse me. I hate to interrupt your little chat with yourself, but could you tell me about this world? And preferably what happened to me in my old world too.⌋

⌈What happened to you in your old one? I don’t understand…⌋

⌈Eh? Aren't gods supposed to be like, I don't know, omniscient?⌋

⌈You dare question the gods!?! Y-You insolent fool!⌋

The being of pure white radiance extended his hand towards me and as the complex formations surrounding the floating godly figure began to shift and morph, he ragingly began to chant.

Uh oh... I think I might've fucked up big time.

⌈You're but a fly, in front of a god. A short, fleeting life. A lifeform, flawed. Though a son of the heavens, an ancestor of all. Before the gods, even you will fall! 【Forsake】!⌋

The moment the self-proclaimed God of Origin finished his advanced rhyming insult, immense energy surged through my body.

The energy pulsed through me from my head to my toe. For a moment I could feel each synapse in my nervous system bursting with currents. I became aware of the blood flowing through every vein from my neck to the tips of my fingers. Yet before I even realized it, the agony and bliss had reached equilibrium.

⌈Now. Begone…⌋

⌈Wait! I still want to ask something!⌋

⌈…⌋

⌈Gone, huh? Cold...⌋

——————————

Far away, in another realm, up in the clouds, on a colossal table that has but nine seats. Only two of which were filled.

⌈Exactly why is a Celestial, who already possessed an Eye of Origin alive!? And no less, he participated in the Adventurer Trials! And what’s more, he seems to be completely oblivious about the rarity of his existence! Not only that, but he's an insolent brat too. How!⌋

An ancient being clad in white yelled out, smacking the table as he stood up enraged.

⌈Oh..? It’s not often you get flustered so much Chrono, please sit back down. Are you perhaps afraid of your newfound child?⌋

A woman dressed in black and purple, still in the height of her beauty despite her near ancient age, responded to the worries of the white figure.

⌈I wouldn’t say afraid… although his presence was frightening. I didn't even bless him, as he already possesses the Eye of Origin. I did take some precautions too, yet…⌋

⌈Oh? Some precautions, you say? I saw it all. You cast Forsake on the poor child, despite him already suffering from the Curse of the Dreamweaver. You're afraid. Admit it. So much for the greatest of them all...⌋

She sarcastically bickered.

⌈Sure! I was afraid, I'll admit it. But had I not cast Forsake, he would've become a, or rather, the Heavenly Sword. Is that what you wanted?⌋

⌈Oh... I suppose Forsake was the best course of action in that case. You know, we could also pass all the participants this year, and try to discourage him from destroying your little scheme. He won't be able to do much after Forsake.⌋

⌈You never disappoint me, Eriza.⌋

⌈After all, I’ve also found someone with frightening potential, and it’ll be interesting to see how she utterly outclasses the common trash. Though I must admit, I’ve also taken an interest in your child…⌋

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

⌈Ah, as selfish as ever... Very well. I shall inform the Arch Sage.⌋

The great white being exclaimed, vanishing away into thin air.

——————————

⌈And then he went like this! Heh, this part is so good... O, Flame, eternal. Cleanse the evil that opposes me, and burn the impurities from within, 【Fireball】!⌋

The word fireball eerily echoed across the marble chambers, and a crimson light burned brightly in the young man’s extended palm. Soon after, a ball of fire formed in his grasp and launched towards the stone wall. Though the spell didn’t cause any damage to the wall, it burned the area of impact pitch black.

⌈Hahaha! To think that weirdo would put on such a show!⌋

A cute voice giggled at the comical display of the young man.

Someone else couldn't quite contain their laughter either.

⌈Pffft..⌋

⌈Oh? You laughed a bit, Lumi! You laughed!⌋

⌈N-No..⌋

I found myself back in the actual world, in a separate the room with another set of passageways. Or perhaps a portal would be a more descriptive term for said arcane gates. Sitting on the marble floor, in a circle, were the guys I came here in the first place. The smith girl was there too! But…

⌈Seth… May I have a word with you?⌋

I inquired him calmly, as I put my hand on his shoulder.

He quickly retracted the flamboyant pose he had after ridiculing my attempt at casting magic from before. He swallowed so loudly I could actually hear it.

⌈O-Oh… H-Hi Light! How a-are you? See, I was just demonstrating–⌋

⌈Oh really!? You tricked me to go on a goddamn suicide mission, and when I finally make it out alive you’re doing ...that. Whatever that was!⌋

⌈Hahaha! Sorry, sorry. I meant no harm. But did you see that, though? I thought now would be the absolute best moment to make that joke! Wasn’t that awesome!?⌋

Seth’s right arm was covered in crimson tattoos. The vein-like lines were similar to the streams of magic power interlaced in the buildings around the capital, yet this time instead of teal, they flowed with deep red energy. The arcane lines formed beautiful patterns painting flames on the canvas that his arm had become. I wasn’t much of a fan of tattoos in my old life, but I had to admit that Seth's looked cool. I was at a loss for words.

⌈See!? Ain’t it amazing? I got the blessing of the God of Flame!⌋

I see! That kind of explains why he decided to go ahead and destroy my already nonexistent social image but hardly excuses it. Now that I think about it, the flame attribute really fits Seth like a glove.

⌈Oh, oh! My turn next! Lookie here, weirdo!⌋

Grace couldn’t contain herself and wanted to show off immediately. Unlike Seth’s, whose tattoos were covering the entirety of his right arm, Grace’s tattoos covered the sides of both her upper arms.

Again, contrary to Seth’s flame patterned crimson tattoos, hers formed irregular geometric patterns made out of triangular shapes, and rather than flowing crimson, the glow was like the surface of cracked ice. A combination of light blue and pale white.

While I was ogling at the tattoos, her bare arms froze over and were now protected by a makeshift glacial armor. My ability to see people’s names and what monsters are is getting less and less interesting by the minute... What a bummer.

⌈See, see!? I got the blessing of Ice! Ain't it cool!?!⌋

Eh!? I mean, I figured that out from the color and the patterns but...

⌈Why did you get the blessing of ice, when it’s clearly Lumi who’s the ice queen.⌋

⌈I’d advise you to shut up..⌋

Lumi snappily joined the conversation.

⌈Hehe~, I think it’s because I have to deal with her coldness all the time!⌋

⌈G-Grace...! No matter. I’m quite content with the blessing I received..⌋

The braid on Lumi’s right side was no longer tied. She had let her hair loose, covering her right eye. Don't tell me she ended up getting the same ability as I have...

She gracefully shifted her hand sideways to move the hair covering her eye out of the way, revealing that one of the two turquoise gems she had for eyes was now gleaming in an amethyst-onyx shade. Ancient runes glowed around the blurry outer line of the iris. The deep purple color of the void element freely swirled around the iris as though alive. Is that what an arcane eye looks like!?! I desperately want to look in a mirror.

That aside, the combination of ethereal dark purple and magical bright turquoise, contrasting against her porcelain skin was breathtaking. Her long, flowing platinum blonde hair, that covered her arcane eye also gave her presence a cool air. Indeed, she truly was the personification of beauty itself. I should really stop staring at her...

⌈Here.. I don’t have any fancy tattoos. I received the Eye of Void as my bles–⌋

She stopped abruptly and muttered in utter disbelief.

⌈Celestial...⌋

⌈What was that?⌋

⌈Y-You’re a Celestial..⌋

⌈Celestial? What’s a Celestial!?⌋

I tried to look at myself with the Eye of Origin and weirdly enough, I was successful.

【Light – Celestial Male – Age: 18 – Class: Forsaken Sword – Rank: Usual】

【Equipment: Leather Jacket, Leather Shorts, Leather Boots, Leather Belts, Ashen Scarf of Tireless Wind, Darksteel Blade】

【Special Skills: Celestial Blood, Eye of Origin, Savant】

Uh, aren’t I wearing a little too much leather? Wait, no… There’s so much other info I should be paying attention to! I'm 18!? That's, uhh... good to know? I have class and rank now too!?! What in the world is Forsaken Sword? What’s Celestial Blood? Why does my scarf have such a cool name? Is the scarf the reason why my steps felt tenfold lighter within the Trail?

I tried to look for answers but I only found more questions. My eye didn’t seem to hurt at all though. In fact, it felt extremely natural to use now. Now that I think about it, I didn't seem to mind it that much on the Trail either...

⌈Light, remember about the realm in the west I talked about? The one where the ancestors of all the races first descended upon this land?⌋

Seth asked me.

⌈Vaguely.⌋

⌈If I’m not mistaken, the people that descended from the heavens above were called Celestials. And now you’re trying to imply that you’re one of those? A true Celestial?⌋

‘And so the child of the stars had descended from the heavens, to walk among men. His life in the isles in the sky was no longer, as the Dragon of Origin had ravaged their long-lost lands. Alone, he made his way down the thousand floating steps. Lost, the last of his kin now began his quest for vengeance.’

Oh god fucking dammit...

Why did I overlook such a vital detail of my character’s origin!? I think I just assumed that I was a human since, you know, I was a human… Was that what the old man meant when he called me the son of the heavens?

⌈I highly doubt my eye is mistaken..⌋

Lumi assured.

⌈Nee~, you’re a real Celestial!? That’s amazing!⌋

⌈Just when I thought you wouldn’t be able to surprise me for a while. You really are something, kiddo.⌋

Even the Smith’s daughter, who had been silent up until now spoke up.

⌈True that! You sure are something, eh!? You have to make me your personal smith now, you absolutely must! I can already imagine my old man’s reaction when he hears I’m smithing weapons for an extinct species! Ehehee...⌋

⌈I’m an extinct species now?⌋

I guess I did write my race into extinction. Who would’ve thought that I’d eventually come to regret my past edge… I should've just written a regular story instead of a revenge one.

⌈Wait, wait! Oi! Don’t go around choosing my personal smi–⌋

⌈Nuh uh! I won’t take a no for an answer!⌋

How persistent! And annoying. I guess it’s lessened to an extent by the fact that she’s an adorable kid... Might as well take a little closer look. I’ll try and control things a bit, and leave needless information be.

【Brigid – Dwarf Female – Age: 23 – Class: Warrior – Rank: Usual】

Works like a charm!

What? She's twenty-three, not thirteen? Everything from the way she behaves to the way she looks would imply that she would be a decade younger than she actually is. I'm thoroughly confused. 

⌈So, uhh, Brigid... You’re a dwarf?⌋

⌈Yep. That’s right! I thought that was obvious since I’m the daughter of the smith after all.⌋

⌈Yes, I suppose. But aren’t dwarves supposed to be like, you know, short and stumpy?⌋

⌈But I am short!⌋

She wasn’t surprised when I called her by her name! That’s a pleasant change of pace. Well, she is short, especially compared to her age, at around 140cm. But I was expecting dwarves to be around a meter tall, with thick, short limbs and long rugged beards. Well, she is a she, so I doubt she’ll grow a beard anytime soon. Hopefully…

She was pretty much indistinguishable from a young human when looking at her face and height, but now that I pay closer attention, her build was clearly that of an adult. Well, now that I think about it, Seth was a human too, yet he had red eyes, so the common sense of my past world wouldn’t exactly work here. Besides that, though she didn’t have much of a chest, now that I know she's of age, she certainly had some damn shapely thighs. And she is pretty sweet, even if a bit rowdy.

I really need to get my mind out of the gutter. But then again, I am a healthy male that hasn't been able to– No. No. No! I should check up on the others now... I’ll try to focus on just the name class and rank now.

【Seth – Class: Spearman – Rank: Usual】

【Lumi – Class: Mystic – Rank: Usual】

【Grace – Class: Guardian – Rank: Usual】

Eh? They all have such basic classic class names! Why did I get something obscure like Forsaken Sword!? Is it because I pissed off the God of Origin? How did we even get assigned classes? And what do they even do!? I’m confused.