Omniscience in Marvel 166

166

…

Leucadius and Aethon sat facing each other in a room Aethon could only describe as Futuristic.

Since the day of their departure from New York and arrival at his grandmother's place, nothing Aethon saw, felt, smelled and heard made sense sometimes but he quickly adjusted.

Following the events of his awakening, his father had brought him here.

"You turned 12 years old today." Leucadius began by stating the obvious to which Aethon respectfully kept silent and continued listening. "According to traditional practice, you'll be given free reign on how you experiment and train up your divinity."

"Are there varying practices?" Aethon suddenly asked.

"Of course. In the advent of The Omnipotence City-" Leucadius replied only to be interrupted.

"Omnipotence City?"

"Yeah, a city…or better still, Realm-like city of Gods." Leucadius answered. "It's a realm where all other pantheons have established a district for themselves."

"Like…a human city?"

"Exactly, but the area alone is enough to stash a couple hundred Earths." Leucadius replied with a proud grin.

"I see." Aethon said and nodded in understanding.

"As I was saying before I was rudely interuppted, in the advent of the City, I envisioned and brought into establishment, an academy where Gods of all rank and status could go to learn more about their divinity."

"Not to indoctrinate them?"

"Wha-! Why would I need to indoctrinate-? You know what? Be quiet when I speak and only speak when asked to do so." Leucadius said sternly and Aethon suddenly felt his ability to speak sealed away from him.

"Now, where was I?" Leucadius rubbed his jaws and then began. "There are some people like you who always look into the bad sides of a good thing before looking at the good sides of it."

"Oh-ho? I was wondering which interesting fellow used Word Magic, imagine my shock when sister told me you visited."

Leucadius' face fell at that moment and turned to Aethon in pity. "In all that you do, know that you have the full force of…nah, you just have me as your backer, which is a pity."

As soon as his words fell, reality in the room glitched a few times before that entire portion of space was torn apart and a brunette female giant walked out of it.

"And I thought mom was tall." Aethon muttered under his breath as he looked at the woman who just…walked in.

"Oh-ya? Is this that little runt from back then? To think how fast time flies." The female giant walked over to Aethon and Leucadius but focused more on Aethon than Leucadius. "Look at you, you've even awakened a divinity and it doesn't seem to be all. How interesting, but what can I say? A lion doesn't give birth to a rabbit afterall."

"It's a pleasure to meet you too…" Aethon, gathering his wits calmly responded to the female and even asked for her name.

"Hoho, what a daring kid. Didn't your papa tell you that names hold power?" She asked with an amused smile while peering deeply at Aethon.

"He sure did, but as I've come to understand, a name bestowed upon by my father is mightier than any other name." Aethon said while holding his stare against her.

The female's face scrunched at that and spat disgustedly. "Keh. Just because he alone holds mastery over Word Magic he goes around flaunting it eh?"

"Anyways," Oshtur who finally had her curiosity satisfied turned to Leucadius. "Leuca I want this one, what say you?"

"Not happening." Leucadius said seriously and closed his eyes as a 'i am done talking about this'. "This one need to choose his own path."

"You make it sound as though the previous one was a scheme against you. I had no hand in it." The woman said with an equally serious expression.

"And I never said you were. I'm just stating that this one Will get to decide." Leucadius stated plainly as he glared at her.

"Hehehe, then am I allowed to introduce myself?"

Leucadius narrowed his eyes at her for a moment before sighing. "Do whatever you want." Saying that, he closed his eyes and turned away.

"How should I go about this? It's been a while since I've had to introduce myself so grandly," the giant lady began with a flourish of her hands, the air around her shook as intricate symbols of ancient design spiraled outward.

The sheer presence she radiated made the air feel heavy.

"Known as One of the Elder Gods, Weaver of the Cosmic Tapestry, and Mother of Sorcery. My name is written in the annals of creation itself, etched into the very essence of magic that binds all realms together."

She extended a hand, as if presenting the entirety of her existence to the boy before her. "I am the First sorceress, the architect of spells, and the keeper of knowledge so vast that it dwarfs the comprehension of mortals and gods alike. I am Oshtur."

Aethon blinked, momentarily overwhelmed by the magnitude of her declaration.

Yet, he managed to steady himself, urging himself to maintain composure. "It is truly an honor to meet you, Lady Oshtur," he said with a respectful bow. "I can see why my father refers to you with such reverence… and caution."

Leucadius groaned softly from where he sat, clearly unimpressed with the theatrics. "She's not as grand as she makes herself sound. Oshtur has a penchant for dramatic self-promotion," he muttered.

Oshtur turned sharply toward him, her silver eyes narrowing. "Leuca, don't belittle me in front of the boy. He should understand the gravity of who he's speaking to."

"I think he gets it," Leucadius replied, unfazed. "No need to shake the foundations of reality just to make your introduction."

Oshtur huffed, crossing her arms. "You're no fun, as always."

Returning her attention to Aethon, she leaned down slightly, her immense frame somehow not diminishing the elegance of her presence. "So, little lion cub," she said with a playful smirk, "do you know why I've taken an interest in you?"

Aethon tilted his head slightly, his mind already working through the possibilities of what could interest someone as grand as she claimed she was…in him. "You're curious about my divinity," he said, his voice measured. "And perhaps you see potential in me that aligns with your interests."

Oshtur's grin widened. "A sharp one, I see. Indeed, your divinity intrigues me. The Power cosmic energy courses through you in form of the Divine, raw and untamed. It's rare for one so young to wield such potential. And, truth be told, I admire your audacity to stand your ground—even before me."

Leucadius interjected with a huff. "He is my son. What did you expect?"

"Tch. Don't blow your own horn." Oshtur said and waved her hand, creating a seat that she sat upon. "So? What was it I was hearing about good and bad sides of things?"

"Oh, dad was explaining how some Gods see his idea of a school for the Divine as a bad thing." Aethon said succinctly.

"Oh that? Please, although there are some special cases amongst the old Gods, the newer generation are weaker than most humans." Oshtur said in disdain. "I've seen your father's plan for the Earth in a few-"

"Ahem!"

"Ah. Me and my mouth hihihi." Oshtur said and giggled like a little girl before continuing. "In a few years, I reckon that even the Vishanti would also be interested in the happenings of Earth."

"Is that a good or a bad thing?"

Oshtur looked at Aethon as she processed his question before looking to Leucadius. "I believe your father will have a better answer for that."

Aethon turned to look at Leucadius who was impassively staring at Oshtur. "Some information are better guarded with adequate strength." Then turning his attention to Aethon. "You're still not strong enough."

"I understand." Was all Aethon said before asking. "Of which two paths am I to choose from?"

Leucadius nodded, pleased with his son's demeanor at such a young age and couldn't help comparing him to Yeshua. At the age of twelve, they were both already wise enough to discern some things and act accordingly.

It was a pity Yeshua had his path carved out for him and wasn't as free as Aethon. "Live out your life as a human with 'superpowers' as it'll come to be termed in a few decades or attend the Omnipotence Academy."

Aethon stared into his father's eyes as he tried to reading every possible meaning into the two options set out for him. Despite his father's initial words, in a way, his path was being chosen for him, but who's path was truly ever free?

"What are their advantages and disadvantages?" Aethon asked after analysing but failing to come to an understanding.

Leucadius smiled at this and explained. "With the first option, we return home to New York then starting tomorrow, we include Divinity Training into your schedule. The advantages are as you can see."

Aethon nodded and Leucadius continued. "The disadvantage on the other hand is that you'll never be as proficient in a dangerous situation as one who had gone through the academy."

"And the other option?" Aethon asked

"The other option will take place in an environment developed to bring out your potential to its fullest depending on how far you are willing to go." Leucadius said.

"There's however threat of death." Oshtur who had been silent finally spoke while caused Leucadius to glare at her. "I was getting to that."

"I just felt I should let him know earlier, you seemed to be tiptoeing around it for some reason."

"As I said. I was coming to that." Leucadius said incredulously. "As your grandaunt just said, bringing out a beings full potential is no different from going against your baser survival Instincts. At some point, you'll bite more than you can chew."

"There also the mission part."

"Oshtur!"

"Alright. Alright." Oshtur raised her hand in surrender and kept silent.

"There's also the compulsory mission per term which can be carried it individually or in a group. As for the location of these missions…it's in certain dangerous areas within and outside various Realms within and outside our sphere of influence."

"I see." Aethon said and fell into contemplation while Leucadius and Oshtur kept silent. "And the advantage?"

"Huh?"

"The Advantage of going to the academy? It can't be only to gain combat experience, right? I could ask Lady Toa to call on me whenever there's a breach in the realm."

"Lady Toa?" Oshtur asked in confusion. When did Leucadius know someone else he'd introduce as Lady.

"Tilda. The student you said was interesting." Leucadius pointed out and turned to Aethon. "You'd also be able to have some friends who would be able to understand you."

"I have Tony and Sharon."

"Not for long. Humans come and go. Remember those guys Thor always brings around?" Leucadius suddenly asked and Aethon nodded. "Those were the crew he found himself in during his studies."

"Thor went to the Omnipotence Academy?" Aethon asked in surprise. He couldn't picture a scene of Thor attentively listening in a class.

"Far from that. Similar to the Omnipotence Academy, every Realm have their respective Academies. Where do you think they learn things?" Leucadius replied and asked.

Aethon had a moment of realisation before smiling wryly at his shortsightedness. Of course Gods too went to school.

Shaking his head, he pushed the thought out of his head and began ruminating over what he'd just heard.

Going to the academy was the best option since Aethon also wanted to experience the feeling of going to school.

Although he could experience it back in New York, he instinctively knew he wouldn't fit in. Other than Sharon, It was already hard to fit in with other kids he occasionally meets on outings with his parents.

All his previous education were all carried out by tutors personally invited by his father. Even his physical conditioning was done by his father whom before now, he had assumed was truly an old man.

Still, while the academy was a tempting path to follow, he had one simple concern. "Will my life on Earth be interrupted?"

"Of Course not. Knowing what you already know about your family, do you think your absence will be noticed?" Oshtur replied quickly, causing Aethon's face to fall.

"I don't think that's what he means woman." Leucadius rebuked slightly and turned to Aethon. "Like all institutions, you'll be given breaks periodically. You can even choose to take up a task that'll bring you to earth."

"Is that so?"

"Yup."

"If that's the case, I choose-"