The Transcendent Godslayer-Chapter 39: Who is that guy?

Kallen was so deep in thought that he didn't realize the two old men were staring at him with sharp, knowing eyes.

From his Will alone, they could read his feelings and, from that, roughly deduce his thoughts. His Will was unawakened, which only made things easier... Will carried an innate authority over the world that defied normal understanding.

But this time was different.

Reading Kallen had never been this easy. His emotions were practically dancing all over the place, imprinted directly into the world for them to perceive like an open book.

He had no idea how much the mere thought of potentially harming Lyra had disturbed his psyche and composure. His heart was pounding, and his breathing was out of sync.

"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. We're not forcing you," Azarel's easygoing voice cut through the haze, snapping him back to reality. The old man still wore that relaxed expression, reclining with his eyes shut and a lazy smile.

Kallen imperceptibly shuddered.

"I know you can awaken your core," Ariel spoke next, his voice calm. "Every Saint knows you're the one holding yourself back... for reasons unknown. And these younger ones see it as a political tool to entertain themselves. Although they really believe you can't awaken.

His crimson eyes gleamed slightly.

"And for whatever reason, you've decided to indulge in their games instead of making things clear... not that you could make it make sense that you're intentionally holding back your awakening, because, frankly, that's stupid."

"But we know there's something behind it.

"You don't have to tell us what it is, though. We've already deduced much on our own. And your reactions just now have confirmed even more.

"So, you're free to stay silent if you wish."

Kallen's pupils contracted slightly at his words, and he let out a slow breath.

"I'm training and pushing my body to its very limits before awakening," he finally said. "I want every possible advantage I can get. From what I've learnt, physical training and meditation increases a person's latent dynisis potential, which influences how good of a core you can awaken."

This was the best explanation he could come up with—reasonable enough to suffice, if they weren't too intrusive. But since they had already said he didn't have to answer, he wasn't too worried.

A moment of silence followed. Ariel simply stared at him, while Azarel lounged like he didn't have a care in the world.

Then, Azarel finally spoke, his voice carrying an amused lilt.

"You do know that every person is born with a dormant core without a grade, right?"

Kallen frowned slightly.

"It's not about how good of a core you can awaken," Azarel continued, "but about how much of its limits you can break."

His tone became uncharacteristically smooth, almost teacher-like.

"Deep in your mindscape—or soul outlet—you see a round sphere wrapped in grey lines. That sphere is a representation of your dormant dynamis core, which in reality is superimposed on a metaphysical plane within your heart.

"When you awaken, that sphere will reflect with light, signifying how many of those limitations you've managed to shed. That's what determines the grade of your core."

Kallen listened intently.

"Awakening isn't just about physical training. That's why there's meditation along with it... to align with the world, but that is a subpar method. It is supposed to be strengthening of the soul."

Azarel's lips curled slightly.

"Essence is the harmony between your body and your soul, and your dynamis core is the representation of your Essence from which it influences energy in the world. Strengthening your body loosens its physical limitations, strengthening the soul loosens soul limitations." He concluded

The old man had achieved two things at once—giving Kallen vital information while effortlessly steering the conversation away from dangerous territory. Even though he looked like a ragtag compared to Ariel, he was more adept in social maneuvering than the latter could ever be.

Kallen exhaled and gave a deep nod.

"I understand."

"Good." Azarel smirked, still keeping his eyes closed.

---

The plateau upon which Azarel resided felt like sacred ground. Ascending to its peak was like undertaking a pilgrimage journey, while descending felt like walking away from grace.

The air itself carried an inexplicable weight of something solemn and profound.

As Kallen made his way down the slope, he found himself caught between two opposing states of mind. He was somehow both at peace with himself, yet deeply troubled.

His emotions were a storm; unregulated, and tumultuous. He needed rest. A moment to clear his mind.

Perhaps a nap... and maybe a long, calming bath too.

As he contemplated, he was suddenly distracted by indecipherable mumblings right next to his ear.

Kallen jerked in reflex, his body tensing, but when he glanced around, he saw no one close to him.

His brows creased. The mumblings didn't stop, but rather shifted, now sounding like a faint echo from a distant place.

His expression tightened as he looked forward.

About ten to fifteen meters ahead, a man and a woman were making their way up the plateau. Both were strikingly beautiful, but the man in particular caught Kallen's attention.

He was beyond handsome, surpassing even Luiz... which was no small feat. In fact, calling him 'good-looking' would be selling him short.

But something was... off.

The man's lips were moving strangely.

'Strangely...'

Kallen's pupils suddenly constricted.

'...His lips are moving in sync with the gibberish I'm hearing.'

As if responding to his realization, the man lifted his eyes and met Kallen's gaze, a cynical smile playing on his lips.

There was something feverish in his amber eyes, that felt unsettling for Kallen, but the woman next to him acted like it wasn't there. It was like she couldn't notice it

His stomach twisted. Those eyes... It felt like they had seen through him. Like they had unraveled every one of his secrets and displayed them openly, forcing him to see them as well.

Before he could react further, the man had already stopped before him, and suddenly reached out and sweeping him off the ground.

The world spun.

Kallen found himself being twirled through the air, held aloft like a child.

"Ah, Kal, my old friend, long time no see!"

Kallen scowled.

'Friend? Long time no see? What the hell is this idiot talking about?'

He tried to struggle, but an unknown external force restricted his movements.

"Lucien, what are you doing?" the woman, Karrie, asked with a frown.

Lucien, however, only flashed her a bright smile before turning back to Kallen.

Still holding him high, as if presenting him to the sun, he grinned.

"C'mon, Kal, you're not saying anything. Don't you miss me? Long time no see..."

His amber eyes gleamed with an almost divine radiance. It reflected the blue sun with a different kind of beauty. It was like it had blended the two colors harmoniously to create a beautiful, almost hypnotic sight.

Kallen, who had been frowning just a moment ago, suddenly felt his expression ease. His gaze softened, and then, without understanding why, his lips curled into a joyful smile.

Recognition flooded his face.

"Ah! Uncle Light... Good to see you again. I missed you."

Lucien's laughter rang out, cheerful and unrestrained. His smile widened.

"Ah, my old friend... I definitely missed you too. Good to see you again, old friend!"

He spun Kallen even faster, the world around him blurring into streaks of color.

"LUCIEN LIGHT!" Karrie's voice rang with anger.

Lucien finally stopped, sighed, and flashed her an apologetic smile. He set Kallen down, ruffling his hair before turning away.

"Ah! Let's go, let's go. So sorry for keeping you waiting, mi-lady." He gave an exaggerated bow, took her hand, and pulled her away without another word.

The moment they left, Kallen felt a nauseating wave of dizziness crash into him, as his eyes cleared. His head spun violently, his legs buckling beneath him.

His mind felt sluggish, and his thoughts were slow to form.

"Who's that guy?"

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