Noah followed the Grandmaster into the Monastery as he passed through the small doors, finding his vision expanding as he actually came to see the inside was somehow much more expansive than what the outside of the monastery showed.
In this large room of the monastery, the Celestial Grandmaster turned towards Noah as he spoke with a serious voice.
"I am the 9th Ranked Grandmaster of the 7th Celestial Star, Vredral. Do you take me as your master?"
Noah looked at this aged figure whose power in no way went together with the old age he showed, his gaze becoming firm as he bowed and spoke out.
"I do!"
His affirmation received the smile of Vredral as he spoke out once more, bringing his right hand to his chest as he did so.
"Rise. In the lands of the Celestials, the greeting and signs of affirmation are done by placing your right palm to your chest, just beside your beating heart as a sign of commitment and truthfulness."
Noah's eyes shone as he saw this, nodding as he placed his palm on his left chest while looking forward. The Grandmaster nodded as he waved his hands, about to bring to light numerous Inheritance Crystals that held a multitude of skills!
"You have just learned how to condense Fate Lines, and have actually condensed more than enough to proficiently use the techniques that we have honed over the years to begin your journey on the law of fate. These techni- Oh?"
The continuing Grandmaster stopped abruptly as Noah was just about to receive numerous new skills freely, a presence nearing the monastery as a smile appeared on his face.
"It seems we must stop briefly as you get the chance to meet the only other being on this Celestial Star that holds a Noble Fate similar to you, and you've actually met them before on your journey that ultimately brought you here. It's mysterious how fate works, isn't it?"
The presence of a domineering figure could be felt as a valiant aura burst forth, a being with exemplary beauty and valor appearing in the monastery that Noah and Grandmaster Vredral were in as she placed her right hand on her full chest and paid respects, her gaze landing on Noah thereafter as a surprised expression appeared on her face.
RUMBLE!
The Grandmaster looked up and pierced through the veils of the ceiling of the monastery as his gaze landed on the skies, noticing the convergence of numerous lines of fate as he smiled, many thoughts passing through his head as two beings that had met once before with completely different statuses met once again, this time holding a similar title!
Chapter 333 - [Fate's Guardian], A Spar
Noah's gaze landed on the figure of the valiant Athena as he processed the words of the Grandmaster. She was also someone given the title of a being with a Noble Fate, a concept he was just introduced to and did not fully know exactly what it entailed.
"Grandmaster, is this the same Crixus of the Profound Astral Sect? He holds a Noble Fate?"
Athena walked in as her gaze landed on Noah, asking respectfully as a jolly laugh wiggled the facial muscles of Vredral.
"Yes. This is why fate is always something we must continue deciphering and learning, as even I didn't think the being we met briefly could have a talent like yours."
The Grandmaster replied as Athena adopted a look of responsibility, going towards Noah as she spoke towards him in a friendly manner.
"Nice to see you again, and under much greater circ.u.mstances at that."
Noah smiled as numerous thoughts crossed his mind, still evaluating everything about the Celestials and comparing it with the information he was given by the beings from the Dark Expanse as he spoke towards this valiant figure.
"Likewise. I look forward to learning alongside you."
Athena nodded as she turned towards the Grandmaster.
"Has he had any combat training yet? I will gladly fulfill my role as the Senior Disciple to make sure he learns the techniques of fate well."
Grandmaster Vredral smiled as he continued his motion of waving his hands, bringing to light numerous Inheritance Crystals that floated towards Noah serenely.
"He just finished condensing his first few thousand Fate Lines, so it will be a perfect opportunity for him to learn our techniques and test them in combat right after."
Athena nodded towards the Grandmaster as a valiant light bounced off her body, her gaze firm and full of righteousness as she replied.
"Leave it to me, Grandmaster!"
Noah's eyes were already locked onto the multiple Inheritance Crystals floating in front of his eyes as he grabbed them without reservations, a tremendous amount of information on how to fully utilize the mysterious lines of fate that were fully bound to his origin entering his mind!
This mass of information was taken in strides by the System as it carefully took everything and categorized it, Noah observing in real-time as he watched the formation of a brilliant skill tree which unlike the previous ones, shone with a l.u.s.ter of gold!
His eyes shone with light as he gazed upon yet another Void Ranked Skill, and this one was called [Fate's Guardian]!
[Fate's Guardian](0/30) :: As a beginner just learning the workings of fate, the role of a guardian that protects the weak and eviscerates evil is given to you. Abilities include Empyrean Guards(0/5), Empyrean Armament(0/5), Smite of Liberation(0/5), and Judgment(0/5).
[Empyrean Guards](0/5) :: A guardian is called forth to defend you and stand against your enemies. The Empyrean Guards are capable of healing and offensive magic, their strength only increasing depending on how many Fate Lines the user has. Current Summon Limit: 1
[Empyrean Armament](0/5) :: The user is covered with the brilliance of the summoned Empyrean Guards as every point in their body gains extreme boosts. +5% Soul Damage, Physical Damage, Speed, and Defense for every Empyrean Guard absorbed.
[Smite of Liberation](0/5) :: Cleanse the souls of those that stand against you as you smite them with a Blade of Liberation. The blade is corporeal and yet physical at the same time, granting +50% Physical and +50% Soul Damage.
[Judgement](0/5) :: A declaration of death for all those that stand against you is called forth. Those that cannot defend themselves will have their bodies destroyed and their souls shattered as they become lost in the river of fate.
His eyes quickly ran through the numerous shining descriptions as the skills he received were extremely familiar to the abilities that he had seen Athena use in the battle against the Aberration in the First Realm of hell! Much of his thoughts were on just exactly how strong he could make them once he added the Skill Points he continued to passively collect from the Legion of Undead that was still razing Infernals to the ground even as he stood on this Celestial Star.
"The abilities that are coursing through your mind right now are fairly high leveled, where they are normally utilized best by those in the Void Realm. But this...is where the first use of Fate Lines comes in."
RUMBLE!
The body of Grandmaster Vredral pulsed with power as an uncountable number of golden lines appeared on his body. They were all extremely thin and condensed, being so imperceptible that it looked like a sea of gold instead of extremely thin lines!
"Fate Lines will directly reduce the energy required when casting abilities that influence fate, and this is just in addition to their offensive feature where they can boost your power to unimaginable levels. This is where you will have an incident like the one you observed in the First Realm of Hell, where Athena was able to take down a being stepping into the Soul Forging Realm with her realm still being of the Void."
The resonant voice of the Grandmaster rang out as the brilliance he portrayed died down, Athena moving further into the monastery as Noah continued to marvel at the expanding space inside this building that seemed extremely small from the outside.
"The best way to learn how to utilize Fate Lines well is to test them in direct combat. Junior Brother, come. Let me show you how wondrous the abilities of [Fate's Guardian] really are."
A wide smile appeared on Noah's face as he showed a grin
of determination, his body lighting up as numerous lines of fate could be seen as he spoke out.
"Yes, Senior Sister!"
RUMBLE!
Essence converged from the surroundings as space was manipulated, the space in the monastery they were in gradually continuing to get larger and larger as it completely defied the reality of the size of the monastery when looking from the outside.
"Since you have condensed...close to 10,000 Fate Lines currently, I will only be utilizing that amount when sparring with you. We will start gradually as we get you used to the techniques, and then ramp up the difficulty thereafter."
A valiant look accentuated itself even more from Athena as her dark hair automatically tied itself into a ponytail, her voice tinged with surprise as she confirmed Noah had really condensed 9,999 lines of fate in this short time period. Her energy moved as essence erupted from her body, a single Empyrean Guard appearing beside her with a resonation of power!
Noah looked on with a gaze full of interest, numerous unknown thoughts coursing through his mind as he tuned everything out. At this instant, he just simply wanted to see just what benefits he could wring out from this coming spar, and exactly how many more skills he could continue to receive from the Celestials as he continued. He did not forget his mission. He did not come here to mingle nor make friends. He came for the singular purpose of power and position among the beings in this incredible organization, and he would not stop until he achieved it at the highest levels!
[Empyrean Guards].
A whisper left his mouth as the lines of fate in his body pulsed, a being clad in golden armor carrying a long hammer appearing in front of him, its eyes blazing forth with a golden light as it looked at the opposing summoned Empyrean Guard that looked exactly like it in the distance.
"Good. [Empyrean Armament]!"
Before the Empyrean Guard standing next to Athena could even move, it became a streak of liquid light as it latched onto her body, her valiant figure gaining a golden chest armor along with a dangerously shining gold hammer that she swiftly waved it in her hands towards Noah.
[Empyrean Armament].
Noah whispered the name of the same skill as he observed the wondrous feeling of the powerful summon in front of him turning into a gold liquid light that went on to cover him, feeling his capabilities boosted as a chest armor and a golden hammer appeared on his hands as well.
OONG!
Two distinctly different pressures released from the golden lines on each of their bodies clashed in the air between them as the Grandmaster moved at a far away distance and observed with a smile, Athena making the first move as she initiated the beginning of the spar!
"Yaa!"
Her body left behind a mirage of light as it quickly appeared above Noah's position, the heavy hammer in her hands swinging down dangerously as Noah smiled and clasped tightly onto his own hammer, swinging it up as a burst of gold light erupted out.
CLANG!
Noah felt the ground beneath him breaking as a tremendous sense of pressure rushed down, his body feeling light soon after as brilliance erupted from the numerous lines of fate around his body as he laughed, his eyes landing on the War Princess as he charged forward!
A simple spar had begun in a small monastery in the 7th Celestial Star, the winner of which was still unknown at this moment in time!
Chapter 334 - Athena teaches her Junior!
Athena's POV
---
I let out a deep breath after the brief first impact between me and this mysterious being that I had met once before in the First Realm of Hell. This being, Crixus, was an anomaly through and through, but the only thing that mattered to me was that we had gained yet another combatant to help bring about more order in this chaotic landscape.
I took the words of the Grandmaster in stride as this Crixus apparently held the same Noble Fate like me, this development being one of the things that sparked my interest as for too long I had been asking myself- what exactly did fate want from me? What Noble Fate was waiting for me at the end of all of this?
This being in front of me having a similar fate...I wanted to know more about him, and exactly what the influence he would have for the future!
"Yaa!"
My body moved across fluidly as I found myself closing my eyes, using my senses to more clearly observe the flow of mana, and the numerous lines of fate pulsating in my own body, and the body of this being in front of me.
CLANG!
Brilliance exploded out as the two hammers clashed again, making me realize this Crixus could freely match the pace of the battle as he seemed to be adapting to the first and second stages of the abilities of Fate's Guardian fairly easily.
This means...we can increase the difficulty!
Empyrean Guard! Empyrean Armament!
RUMBLE!
I cast the skills multiple times as two more celestial guardians wielding hammers full of strength appeared, only to turn into streams of light soon after as they attached onto my body, completing the lower half of my armor as the usual cooling helmet covered my head.
I made sure that the strength was still only being taken from 9,999 Fate Lines as I observed the reaction of this junior disciple. Would he be able to keep up?
My expanded senses observed a smile of confidence as Crixus waved his hands, two Empyrean Guards appearing as they quickly became streams of light that attached to his body, granting him a similar set of armor as mine.
You can still keep up? Good!
I felt a small smile appearing on my own lips as my love for battle was slowly bubbling forth, trying my best to contain it so that I wouldn't accidentally destroy this junior disciple in front of me.
He moved first this time as he seemed to be enjoying the feeling of strength that Empyrean Armament provided, my body evading to the side as the oppressive hammer smashed onto the area I was just standing on.
Good! Good!
My body moved automatically as clashes of light began to resound throughout the expanded room we were in, Crixus surprisingly keeping up with my movements as time passed.
CLANG! CLANG! BOOM!
A few craters were left behind as I could only see dark eyes locking onto my figure from the slits of the golden helmet that covered his head, his body moving towards me yet again as his movements gained a similar fluidity I had worked so hard to achieve over the years with ease.
His use of the innate strength of Fate Lines was seamless as with every clash, I could feel the strength he let off increase more and more!
I could feel essence palpating on my body as his attacks increased in speed, my eyes watching in slow motion as I bent back and watched the merciless swing of golden hammer barely pass through the tip of my helmet.
'Ahh Junior Brother, you shouldn't have done that!'
My closed eyes opened as a burst of golden light released from me and pushed back the being that was sticking around me tightly while throwing out attacks, a slight trembling running through my body as I realized I could no longer withhold the need for battle that had been brought forth by his stupendous attacks.
'Forgive me, Junior Brother, but I'll have to enjoy myself for a bit!'
RUMBLE!
Essence converged as yet another Empyrean Guard was summoned and quickly turned into a stream of liquid light that attached onto my body, the feeling of having gloriously fluttering wings appearing once more as my speed was increased yet again.
My eyes that were filled with a thirst for battle locked on to the figure that still seemed to be in top shape, a small smile appearing on my lips as I observed with stupefaction as yet another Empyrean Guard appeared next to him, turning into a stream of light as this Crixus gained a resonantly shining set of wings similar to mine!
'Junior Brother...aren't you adapting to these techniques too fast?'
The thought did not match my actions as my body was already moving by itself, turning into a streak of light towards the being that seemed to have no problem pulling o
ut the power of abilities he was just introduced to with precision and grandeur I had not come across before.
BOOM!
The golden hammers clashed yet again as the impact smashed the figure of Crixus back, his armored body hitting the wall on the opposite side as I stopped briefly, wondering if I had gone overboard. My expectations were defied yet again as the only thing I observed was a streak of light shooting towards me, a peal of childish laughter ringing out.
'Haha, good!'
RUMBLE!
All reservations were let loose as it seemed this Crixus was capable enough to withstand my attacks, even if they were limited to only 9,999 Fate Lines.
My body began to feel the joy of battle as my figure shot through the skies to meet this mysterious being that could match my pace of battle with ease. Was he truly like me? Is this really a being with a Noble Fate waiting for him in the future?
BOOM!
The last clash actually pushed the both of us back as my questions weren't answered, but I knew I had found an interesting being to play with as essence coursed through my body and was released in a splendor of colors once more.
"Come, Junior Brother!"
A cry left my mouth as the thrilling battle continued, my focus tightly wrapped onto this rapidly adapting Crixus as I wanted to peer through his defenses and everything that surrounded him!
Chapter 335 - Never Before Seen!
Noah's eyes moved rapidly as he easily kept up with the streak of light letting out valiant cries in front of him. The streak of light seemed to be fluid at times and extremely rapid a second later, causing the state of a battle that was filled with unpredictability.
When the battle began, the thought it would be a simple spar that would allow a junior disciple to learn the ropes of the abilities, but he found the pace becoming faster and faster as this Athena seemed to be enjoying herself after a while!
His own body was rapidly adapting to the feeling of strength that the close to 10,000 Fate Lines provided, going with the flow as he gradually added Skill Points into [Empyrean Guard] and [Empyrean Armament] to match the pace of the battle.
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