Chapter 1229: Calm

Atticus slowly nodded. And now the reason for their sudden breakthroughs started making sense.

’They’re following another’s path.’

Atticus had awakened his true Will and formed his Concept based on that. But the others had simply latched onto the paths of other factions.

This brought him to his next question.

"When I win the Virelenna... will I be forced to pick between the factions?"

He couldn’t allow that, no matter what.

Aside from the fact that Atticus didn’t take other people’s orders well, especially not with the prideful spirit bound to him, Whisker had already explained what it meant to join a faction in the Middle Planes.

He would have to adopt their Will Path. And that meant... abandoning his own.

Atticus would rather die.

Quiet Flame’s answer came instantly. "No." He shook his head. "If you win the Virelenna, you can do anything you want."

Atticus breathed a sigh of relief. At least there was one good thing.

"Now, about the other gods with Concepts," Quiet Flame said. "The good news is that they’re only a few. You just have to watch out for them."

"What factions have come?"

"The Nature, Iron, Abyss, and Red Flame factions."

’Of course.’ Atticus wasn’t too surprised. According to Whisker, those were all major factions in the Middle Planes.

’There’s still more, though. They must not have sent anyone...’

Atticus shook his head. "I have a few more questions."

Quiet Flame gestured for him to go ahead.

"You said my world could also be involved in the Virelenna. Can you tell me more?"

"I can’t say for sure, unfortunately," Quiet Flame said, shaking his head. "The rules of the Virelenna are always chosen randomly. But in the past, there’ve been cases where a world had to fight without its god."

Atticus fell silent. He had asked that question to confirm the possibility before picking his five champions.

’I have to leave the world protected,’ Atticus concluded.

If his world fell... Concept or not, he’d be powerless against the other gods.

’I’m not staying behind.’

Ozeroth’s voice echoed suddenly in his head, the spirit sounding completely serious.

Atticus shook his head, sighing.

"The gods I saw today are my only opponents?" he asked, and Quiet Flame nodded.

Atticus asked a few more questions about the rules of the competition, particularly about how they would factor in Ozeroth.

He was technically Atticus’s bond. Shouldn’t that mean they could participate as one?

Unfortunately, their egos were still separated. Which meant they would be counted as two contenders.

After that, Atticus ran out of questions and left the ruined world, appearing once more in the skies above Eldoralth, where Whisker and the Eldorians had been patiently waiting for him.

His head was muddled.

He needed time to process everything he had just learned. He looked at everyone, all of them gazing up at him expectantly, and sighed.

"I’ll select the four other people who will participate in two days’ time. I suggest you all train well."

Their expressions darkened, but Atticus didn’t wait for a response.

He vanished as quickly as he appeared, leaving the Eldorians in deep thought.

Atticus appeared on top of the tall hill, then headed inside the house and towards his room.

He made sure no one knew he was back and subtly told Noctis not to come see him or alert anyone that he was home. The little guy had been confused and reluctant, but eventually listened.

Atticus needed a quiet place to think. And while he could literally go anywhere in the world, nowhere felt better than the silence of his own room. He laid on the bed and turned his muddled gaze towards the ceiling.

There was a lot to think about, from the gods, to the stars, to the factions of the Middle Planes. So many enemies all at once.

’Aren’t you supposed to be used to this by now, bond?’ Ozeroth rumbled in his head. ’Back when you were still weak and puny, you had practically all the races on your throat. Now look where you ended up.’

’I’d prefer getting used to endless peace than that.’ Atticus said, chuckling. ’But I understand your point. You can’t compare these enemies to them, though.’

’Enemies are all the same to me. Enemies. You only do one thing to them, crush them. Nothing’s changed from then to now. You have enemies, all you have to do is take them down.’

’Hm. That’s surprisingly wise.’ Atticus was mildly surprised, but Ozeroth took it as an insult.

’Are you saying I don’t usually say wise things!?’

’No, of course not. Everything that comes out of your mouth is golden.’

’Hmph. That’s better.’

Atticus held back a chuckle. Ozeroth was truly a handful. Still, he was grateful, the spirit had eased the tension a bit.

’I guess you’re right. Enemies are enemies.’

’Of course I’m right. I’m always right.’

Atticus rolled his eyes and ignored the prideful spirit. He was right, though. Atticus just had to focus on how to deal with his enemies... and survive.

’I can’t wait!’ Ozeroth’s excitement couldn’t be ignored. He was looking forward to the Virelenna, the chance to fight, to show the worlds who the great Ozeroth was.

Atticus couldn’t help but shake his head. He was thinking about survival, and this guy was acting like a teen going to prom.

Atticus wisely left Ozeroth alone and allowed his thoughts to drift. The hours passed quickly, but he remained in his room, lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling the entire time.

’Let’s take a walk.’

He had been thinking nonstop and decided it was time to clear his head. He appeared outside, walking slowly along the hilltop. His steps eventually led him to the newly built training room on the hill.

The moment he stepped in, he saw her.

A purple haired girl sat in the middle of the room, engrossed in deep meditation, a massive amount of mana surrounding her.

’She’s come a long way.’

Zoey had completely abandoned spiritual energy and fully turned to mana.

Though her hair still retained its deep purple color, there wasn’t a trace of spiritual energy in her anymore, only overflowing mana. Yet, her beauty hadn’t diminished in the slightest. She was still as enchanting as the first day he saw her.