Chapter 4: The Nexus of Luminaris

The elder god, marked by a sun-like emblem in his pupil, regarded Levi with an intense, piercing gaze. His voice, deep and commanding, echoed through the grand hall as he spoke, "The Book of Kaleostus has spoken. It has decreed that you shall be transported to the academy and reside in its dormitories. But before you proceed, answer this: what is your motive, mortal?"

Levi met the elder god's gaze steadily, refusing to be intimidated by the sheer power that radiated from the being before him. "If a goddess could not discern my fate, how could I possibly?" he replied, alluding to the chaotic scene in the grand hall where the goddess of fate, Aria, had found nothing but darkness when she tried to see his future. His response ignited a wave of murmurs and angry whispers among the gods and demons gathered. Their disdain for a mere human daring to speak so boldly was palpable, yet Levi remained unshaken. The elder god, however, merely observed him with an inscrutable expression.

Finally, the elder god nodded, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curling the corners of his lips. "You may be mortal, but you are not without courage. Very well, you shall be transported to the Nexus of Luminaris."

With that, Levi found himself enveloped in a warm, golden light, the elder god's power transporting him across realms. When the light faded, he stood at the entrance of the Nexus of Luminaris, the most prestigious academy in all realms, where gods, demons, and now one human, would learn to harness their powers.

Upon arrival, Levi was escorted by silent guards, their imposing figures casting long shadows as they walked through the grand corridors of the academy. The walls were adorned with ancient murals depicting legendary battles between gods and demons, their victories and sacrifices immortalized in vivid colors. The architecture was a blend of celestial and infernal styles, with gleaming marble floors and towering arches that seemed to touch the heavens themselves, contrasted by dark, gothic spires that pierced the skies.

When the guards finally showed him to his room, they left without a word, their silence a stark reminder of the disdain they held for him. Levi looked around his dormitory—a spacious yet sparsely furnished room with a large window that offered a breathtaking view of the academy's sprawling grounds. Despite the grandeur, the silence was deafening, and Levi felt a pang of isolation.

"They couldn't even say a word," Levi muttered to himself, shaking his head. "But I guess that's to be expected. To them, I'm just a human, beneath their notice."

Determined not to let it bother him, Levi stepped outside to explore the academy. The Nexus of Luminaris was even more magnificent than he had imagined. The grounds were filled with lush gardens, sparkling fountains, and towering statues of gods and demons from various mythologies. Everywhere he looked, there were students—some with divine halos, others with dark, fiery auras—engaged in training, sparring, or deep in study.

As Levi walked, he couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and envy. The gods and demons were beautiful and powerful, their mere presence exuding an aura of majesty that was impossible to ignore. But as he continued to wander, he began to notice the stares. Whispers followed him, and the disdainful looks of the students made it clear that they were not pleased with his presence.

"Is that a human?" one demoness sneered, her voice dripping with contempt.

"What is a mortal doing here?" a god muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "He doesn't even have mana."

Levi could feel the pressure of their judgmental gazes bearing down on him. It was as though their very disdain was a weight he had to carry. But he didn't falter. The mysterious man's words echoed in his mind, giving him the strength to push forward. He wouldn't let their contempt break him.

Just as the pressure seemed unbearable, a figure approached. Kaizo, a royal blood with moon-like mana that glowed softly around him, stood out even among the gods and demons. He wore royal garments that shimmered in the light, and his eyes held a calm, reassuring gaze.

"Greetings, human," Kaizo said with a smile, his voice gentle and friendly. Levi, though initially wary, was reassured by the warmth in Kaizo's tone. The royal blood's demeanor was a stark contrast to the cold reception Levi had received from everyone else.

Levi hesitated for a moment before nodding in return. "Hi."

Kaizo noticed Levi's caution and added, "Don't worry. I'm not like the others who look down on you. I'm here to help." He gestured to a nearby bench. "Let's sit down and talk."

As they sat, Levi could feel the eyes of other royal bloods on them, their gazes filled with disgust. They were clearly unhappy with Kaizo for associating with a human. But Kaizo paid them no mind and instead focused entirely on Levi.

"Tell me, human," Kaizo began, "what is your name?"

"Levi," he answered simply, still unsure of how to feel about this sudden kindness.

"Levi," Kaizo repeated, as if testing the name on his tongue. "It's a strong name. I can tell you've been through much already, even though you've just arrived."

Levi nodded, grateful for the understanding. "Yeah, you could say that."

Kaizo smiled again, a gesture that seemed to ease some of the tension Levi had been carrying. "You probably have a lot of questions about this place, about the gods, and demons. Feel free to ask anything."

Levi took a deep breath, considering where to start. "Why are they called the God of Thunder or the Goddess of Healing Light? Can they only perform one act?"

Kaizo chuckled softly at the question. "No, it isn't like that. They're called such because that's what they specialize in and excel at. They are the best in their respective domains. But make no mistake, all gods and goddesses can use every element and power if they wish. Their titles are just a reflection of what they are most known for."

Levi nodded, absorbing this new understanding of the divine powers around him. "So they're basically masters of their domains but not limited to them."

"Exactly," Kaizo confirmed. "For example, Taranis is known as the God of Thunder because of his unparalleled control over storms and lightning, but he can also wield other elements if needed. It's just that lightning is his signature power."

"That makes sense," Levi replied, feeling a bit more at ease now that he was beginning to understand the world he had been thrust into. "What about you? What's your specialty?"

Kaizo's smile widened. "I'm a royal blood, born of both divine and demonic lineage. My power is tied to the moon and its cycles. I have control over lunar energy, which gives me a variety of abilities—from manipulating tides to casting powerful illusions."

Levi couldn't help but be impressed. "So, you're like a bridge between the divine and demonic worlds?"

"In a way, yes," Kaizo said thoughtfully. "Royal bloods are unique in that regard. We carry the strengths and burdens of both our parentage. It's a delicate balance, but one that allows us to play important roles in maintaining the cosmic order."

Kaizo then went on to describe the academy's purpose and its power system. "The Nexus of Luminaris is a place of training and transformation. Here, students refine their abilities to serve the balance between the divine and demonic realms. The academy is divided into various faculties, each dedicated to a different aspect of power—combat, magic, healing, and so on. You'll find that the curriculum is rigorous, but it's designed to push you to your limits and beyond."

As Kaizo spoke, Levi noticed a group of students practicing in a nearby courtyard. One of them, a towering god with fiery red hair, was conjuring flames in the palm of his hand, shaping them into intricate patterns with a flick of his wrist. Another student, a demon with obsidian wings, was engaged in a sparring match, her movements a blur as she dodged and struck with lethal precision.

"What about me?" Levi asked after a moment, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I don't have any powers. How am I supposed to keep up with them?" Kaizo's expression grew serious. "Mortals like you have inherent limiters that prevent you from achieving the same power as royal bloods or divine beings. This is why most mortals never attain significant magical prowess or longevity."

Levi's resolve hardened. "How can I break this limiter?"

"You must first manifest mana," Kaizo instructed. "Once you can channel mana, you'll begin to break through your limitations. This is the key to unlocking your potential."

Just as Levi was absorbing this crucial information, a loud bell rang throughout the academy grounds, signaling the start of the next class. Kaizo stood up and offered Levi a hand.

"Come on," Kaizo said with a friendly smile, "I'll take you to your first class. There's a lot to learn, and we'd better not be late."

Levi took Kaizo's hand, feeling a strange mixture of determination and anticipation. As they walked through the academy's grand corridors, Levi couldn't help but feel that this was only the beginning of a journey that would change his life forever.

Kaizo led Levi to a large, ornate door that radiated an aura of ancient power. "This is where it all starts," Kaizo said as he pushed the door open, revealing a vast classroom filled with gods, demons, and otherworldly beings. All eyes turned to the newcomer, some with curiosity, others with disdain. But Levi, standing beside Kaizo, felt a newfound resolve.