Chapter 58 : Reward and Punishment (2)

Embra was offered to tell of his needs by Goddess Gaia. As the people who witness Embra's trial, they want to gift some congratulation gifts to Embra. So, Embra thinks carefully about what he needs. After thinking for a while, Embra started to speak but, he does not address anyone. Before, Goddess Gaia said that Embra may states what he needs but, how the goddesses fulfill Embra's needs depends on each goddess.

So, instead of asking for what he needs from each goddess, Embra states his wishes without addressing someone especially, which indirectly means that he will leave it to their choices.

"If I have to state what I may need, I need five things. The first thing is an analysis ability because I want to be able to analyze non-living things such as stones, glass, even human remains. That was the first thing I may need. For second and third, I think, I am going to need the means to see through things and a blacksmith ability. The reason for the second wish is nothing much. I just want to see the talents of people so that I can recruit talented people.

For the third wish, I just enjoy crafting things. So, I thought I might as well learn the blacksmithing. Next, I think I am gonna need a technique or a jutsu. To my testing so far, I found out that I only have an affinity for lightning. So, I want to learn high-level techniques to train my lightning. For the last thing, I would like to ask for ten days' training with a partner. Anyone will do as long as they can overpower me. That's all, Oh goddesses." (Embra)

Embra's five wishes are heard loud and clear by all the goddesses and all of them begin to think. But, unlike the three young goddesses, the two creator goddesses Gaia and Lashili who can read Embra's thoughts smile.

'His wish may sound simple. But, there is so much meaning behind them. Haha. What a crafty man. He wants analysis ability because he wants to break down things and see till the atomic level. But, that is not the real reason. What he wants is the ability to analyze other people's power. And, with that ability, he is hoping to create himself a technique. A technique to control his subordinates. He can just wish for that technique directly but, he is cautioning against us.

Hahaha. Really interesting. Really. You never bore me, do you, Embra. You don't want me to control your subordinates but, there are countless ways I can mess you with, Embra. Look forward to it.' (Lashili's thought)

Goddess Lashili laughs in her mind to see Embra not asking what he wants directly. She laughs seeing Embra trying to avoid the meddling of gods by the power they give to him. But, he does not dislike that cautiousness of Embra, rather she is amused. On the other hand, Goddess Gaia is also thinking the same as Goddess Lashili. She is also amused at Embra's intelligence to be able to think far enough until he reached his goal.

'He is thinking so far ahead till the horizon. Interesting. He is not thinking about failure in building his own civilization. Failure was never an option for him, huh? I admire his thinking about not wanting to walk a paved road. So, Embra, if thou really wants to pave your own path in life, let me gives thee a gift as your mother-in-law.' (Gaia's thought)

Goddess Gaia admires Embra's intelligence to be able to think far to the future after building his own civilization. She is amused at Embra's attitude which does not recognize failure as an option. She already accepted Embra being her niece's husband because being 'royal to his love' is one of his own virtues. So, Goddess Gaia trusts Embra enough to entrust her own niece.

The two creator goddesses are amused at Embra's real intentions and decided to let the other three young ones answer Embra first. The three young goddesses have already think about what they can do best and which of Embra's five needs can they fulfill. So, seeing that, the two creator goddesses are letting them answer Embra first, Keinnayi speaks to Embra,

"Embra, I want to fulfill your needs to the best of my ability and after thinking hard, I think I am best suited to fulfill your needs of a technique for your lightning affinity. This is not a training method or an attack method but, this is something I got long ago from an old dragon. I hope, this can help you. " (Keinnayi)

A book appears in Keinnayi's hand and it slowly travels to Embra. Embra looks at Keinnayi who is closing her eyes and concentrating real hard. So, he waits for the book that is coming slowly and as soon as it reaches near Embra, the books travel to Embra's head just to disappear after going inside his head. An astronomical amount of information enter Embra's head but, Embra does not feel any kind of pain.

The information includes all the requirements, training methods, and usage of the technique Keinnayi gave him, and looking through the knowledge, Embra feels surprised.

'What in the-? The name of the technique is 'Lightning Marionette' which feels normal to me but, if I can train like the training methods described here, I can't even calculate how much my strength will increase. This is a cheat, Oi.

This technique enables me to control a large amount of lightning in the atmosphere with just a small amount of my own chakra. The ratio is about 1:1000. So, if I can master this technique, I can control the 1000 units of lightning in the atmosphere with just 1 unit of my own chakra. If this is not cheating, what is it, I can't think anymore. Damn.' (Embra's thought)

Embra's surprise did not end there because the next gift is also extraordinary. The next gift is from Algadore, who gives Embra a small golden ship. The golden ship looks like something that can be bought in any antique shops but, the detail crafting on the ship is on another level than anything Embra has seen so far.

"I would like to say something first, I am not joking, alright? This is called 'Plane of creation, Dimiourgó'. This is the finest creation of the lost civilization consists solely of descendants of dragons. This is the offering they gave to my father at their peak. This may look like a ship but, this is actually a huge castle full of equipment and things necessary to craft.

In this castle, there is a library that consists of thousands of books about blacksmithing and crafting. The library also contains most of their history and how to make their weapons but, dangerous knowledge is already removed. So, Embra, feel free to take this. This may help you greatly in learning 'blacksmithing'." (Algadore)

Embra accepts the sips out of reflecting because it floats towards him but, Embra was hesitating to accept this gift. Algadore sees this and reassures Embra.

"I will not force you if you don't want to accept it but, I can assure you, there is no strings attached to that gift. The lost civilization was famous for their craft, you see. And, they are destroyed because of internal struggle and it happened about trillions of years ago. My father gave me as a gift to me when I was young so that I can learn of how they worshiped us but, really, I have already learned it all. I had also read all the books in there and most are about crafting things, which I don't fancy.

Moreover, my father had already taken dangerous knowledge about making powerful weapons or techniques. So, relax. This is still in my hands only because I used it as a ship to fly around in my younger years. This is no use to me anymore nor it is to my father. " (Algadore)

Embra was still hesitating but, hearing that the ship is no longer useful to her, he asked another question.

"I am curious about one thing though. If you have used this in your younger years, won't you have any attachment to it? Like your favorite toy or favorite memory?" (Algadore)

Algadore laughs seeing Embra asking about this. Keinnayi also smiles looking Embra who worries about unnecessary things.

"Nyahaha. If it is precious to me, I would not have given it to you. No, even if my father asked for it, I would not have given it to him. The most I consider for that ship is that it is something I flew around when I could not fly. It is just that. There are no special memories. So, I won't ask it back from you in the future." (Algadore)

Embra sighed while looking at the ship from various angles. He apologizes for his cautiousness because the ship has huge potential to him and it was precious too. Algadore just laughs it off, not blaming Embra. The next person to speak is the Valkyrie, Sethar.

"Well, I am sure you already knew what I will give. For ten days, I will be your training partner. Just so you know, I won't train you myself, okay?" (Sethar)

"Imm. I am grateful with just that, dear sister." (Embra)

Sethar turns her head away from Embra's teasing but, she is really looking forward to training with Embra and wondering what insight he will gain from the training. Embra and the two goddesses laugh seeing the behavior of Sethar and while Keinnayi is teasing Sethar, to be honest with herself, Goddess Lashili started to speak to Embra while smiling meaningfully.

"So, Embra, my dear. You wished for a means to see through things, no, see-through people, yes?" (Lashili)

'What is that supposed to mean? Are you going to give me x-ray eyes? Hell no.' (Embra's thought)

Embra was denying Lashili's gift completely in his mind but, outside, he is smiling sweetly to mask his thoughts. Goddess Lashili who could hear his thoughts laugh out loud.

"Bahaha. Relax. I am not giving you that. Rather, I will be giving you something a little basic. 'Soul eyes' is the name of the eye power I will be giving you. You will be able to see through souls if you become proficient but, for now, you will only be able to see colors. If someone is doing things gifted for them, their soul color will change. For example, Blacksmithing. If someone gifted in blacksmithing is making a weapon, his soul color will shines in a color.

Using this, you will be able to find talents in people. Will you accept it?" (Lashili)

"Oya. You are too generous, Goddess Lashili. There is so much potential there. I give you my heartfelt gratitude for giving me such a precious treasure. HAhaha" (Embra)

"is that so? hahaha." (Lashili)

Both of them are smiling but, there is a certain tension between them and their inner thoughts are complete opposite of their smiles.

'Hoho? I see. You still want to mess up with me, huh? Don't worry. You can mess with me while you still can. I will pay you back when the time comes. But, fist thing first, I have to create something to not let my thoughts be read by her.' (Embra's thought)

'Still rebellious as ever, I see. Alright then, let's see when will you be able to create something to hinder my divinity to read your thoughts. *sneer*' (Lashili's thought)

Goddess Gaia sighs seeing the playfulness of Lashili but, she does not stop her. It is not that goddess Gaia does not care about Embra. It is just that goddess Gaia knows that Goddess Lashili is someone who knows what not to mess and what to mess with. So, Goddess Gaia believes that Goddess Lashili will not do something that will break her niece's heart. That's why Goddess Gaia only warns the two lightly.

"Ye two, please keep things moderately." (Goddess Gaia)

Embra and Goddess Lashili obey goddess Gaia and the tension in the atmosphere disappears. Keinnayi heaved a sigh of relief while Goddess Gaia is creating something between her two palms. After Goddess Gaia separates her two palms, a shining purple ball can be seen between her palms. Seeing that, Goddess Lashili also put her palms and create a light link ball.

The two goddesses send the balls towards Embra at the same time, which then disappears into his body silently. Embra feels something inside him burning as soon as the light pink ball goes inside his body but, he grits his teeth through the pain. Goddess Lashili playfully said while sending her divinity to ease his pain.

"Oh! I forgot to mention that you will feel pain when my power enters. Well, endure it. You just passed the trial, right? It should be less painful for you. The 'Soul Eye' I gave you is using your soul power and trying to establish a connection between your soul and physical eyes. Endure it. Goddess Gaia's divinity should be also easing the pain." (Lashili)

As Goddess Lashili has said, Embra's pain begins to lessen after a few seconds and he feels something hot in his eyes. Embra, who has already returned to his original body, opens his eyes which are now alternating color between pink and purple. Soon, the two colors fade and Embra's eyes return to its original brown eyes. Embra shakes his head around to get used to the heat in his eyes and soon, he gets control of the two eye powers.

"I gave thee the ability to analyze as thou stated. I hope my power be helpful to thou, Embra." (Goddess Gaia)

"I am grateful for your gifts, Goddess Gaia, Goddess Lashili." (Embra)

Embra bows towards her and Goddess Lashili alternatively to thank them and as soon as Embra lifts his head, both of the goddesses stand up and goes near the old man, the god of this world.

"Then, I wish thou farewell for now. We will be sending this god to Heaven Court. Embra, thou wanted a sword and a plot of land in this world, as compensation, right? We will also state that in Heaven court and get permission. So, until we returned, I will be freezing the time of this world. Thou may not get out of here." (Goddess Gaia)

"I understand, Goddess Gaia. I will be awaiting your return, here in this dimension." (Embra)

"Then..." (Lashili)

All of the people left in the dimension bows towards the two goddesses who are departing to heaven court. A bright light shines and the two goddesses disappear along with the old god. Embra turns towards Sethar and asks her while stretching his body.

"So, are you ready, my dear sister?" (Embra)

"Always. Be careful not to die." (Sethar)

"Ahaha." (Embra)

Embra started his training with Sethar while the other two goddesses watch from the sideline. They can leave this world if they want but, well, for them, watching Embra's training is too much interesting to miss. So, the two friends watch Embra and Sethar's fight while sitting on the sideline and talking random things.

(AN: 'ye' means you all | all of you in old English)