Chapter 18: Three Eyes
4th Day of
It had been four years since Luda joined us in Talasi, and from the moment he arrived, it was like he had always been a part of the family. The guy just clicked. While Edwind had stayed for a year, eventually, duty called him back to the Kingdom of Braye. He was needed there for training their army's magic unit. Still, during that year, Ed and I bonded, sharing a lot of theories on magic. Thanks to him, I understood what politics looked like outside the bubble of Talasi.
The day of our dive into Jerrica's Labyrinth—yeah, that's when things really started to heat up. The morning crept in slowly, the pale light of dawn bleeding across the horizon like a watercolor painting, soft purples and oranges blending into the fading darkness. The air was cool, still carrying the bite of the night, and the scent of dew on grass filtered through the slightly cracked window. Outside, Talasi was quiet, the kind of quiet you only get at the break of day when the world hasn't fully woken up yet.
Then the rooster let out its piercing scream, shattering the fragile stillness. A few startled birds took flight, and I could hear distant rustling as the village began to stir. Most people were still tucked in, warm beneath their blankets, but not me. Sleep wasn't in my repertoire anymore. I hadn't slept in years thanks to my [Limitless Stamina]. It's funny, in a way—while others recharged by resting, I found my peace in the stillness of these hours, meditating and experimenting with the energy that flowed through me like a river.
This morning was no different. I sat in the center of my room, cross-legged on the wooden floor. The dim, early light filtered in through the window, casting long shadows that stretched and shifted with every flicker of magic I summoned. The walls hummed faintly with residual mana, and the air around me buzzed with electric tension. My hands were outstretched, fingertips lightly grazing the currents of lunar mana that crackled between them. It was delicate work. Lunar Mana—a potent mix of yin, electric, and spatial energies—was volatile by nature. I could feel the electric charge in the air, making the fine hairs on my arms rise. Small sparks danced around me, tiny bursts of photons igniting whenever the magitons shifted. It was beautiful in its own way—electromagnetism, captured and controlled between my hands.
I was close to something, a breakthrough in the art I'd been developing. Over the years, I'd built up an impressive arsenal of skills, fine-tuning my abilities in these quiet hours. But despite all that growth, I'd hit a ceiling two years ago—a cap on the power I could wield without evolving further. According to my mom, the next step would require a Lord Seed to push past the limits my soul had reached.
Just as I was about to stabilize the latest fluctuation of mana, a knock on the door broke my concentration. The sparks flickered out, leaving the room dim once more. I tensed slightly, hoping I hadn't woken anyone with the display. Lunar mana had a way of lighting up a room—literally.
"Knock knock, fool. You up?" Luda's voice broke the silence, casual as always.
I sighed, smirking a little. "You know I don't need to sleep."
Luda stepped into the room, eyes scanning the flickers of energy surrounding me. We had added another room to the house using [Transmutation] when Luda moved in from the inn. I'd layered it with barriers so he could train privately when he wasn't with the rest of us. That lesson was learned early—back when Artamis would accidentally blow something up mid-experiment, and we'd have to face Mom's wrath. Not a scenario I wanted repeating.
Luda leaned against the wall, grinning. "Last night, I learned a new skill. Thanks to that crystal about the 48 Laws of Power you gave me."
I raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You finished it already?"
"As your old world used to say, it cooked," he responded smoothly.
I couldn't help but laugh. "Hahaha, fo' sho', my nigga."
Luda had a way of switching up his personality when he wasn't around us, putting on this cold, distant act when dealing with anyone outside the Mikazuki Clan. The contrast cracked me up every time. I often wondered how he handled himself when talking to the citizens of Braye. Still, despite all his quirks, the guy was impossible not to like. He was even Kimmi's second favorite person—right after her big bro, of course.
He eyed the flickers of mana still crackling in the air around me. "What are you working on? A new mnemonic crystal? I could use a fresh episode of that orange ninja animation."
I rolled my eyes. "You mean anime."
"You didn't answer my question," Luda shot back, smirking.
I paused, giving him a sidelong glance. "Nigga, did you just ignore me?"
Luda chuckled. "Xi, focus all three of those eyes. You were saying?"
I blinked, realizing I still had my [Devil 3rd Eye] active. The skill was a fusion of [Kinetic Eyes] and [Celestial 3rd Eye], giving me 360-degree vision and the ability to see magitons and other particles as they moved. It didn't stop there, though—the skill enhanced my reflexes, perception, and even allowed me to cast certain arts just by looking. Visually, the mana-created third eye floated on my forehead, aligned with my pineal gland.
"Just a new attack," I finally answered, deactivating the skill. "But I'm saving it for the Labyrinth."
"Ahh," Luda nodded, disappointed. "So no new anime?"
"You got an addiction, bruh."
"I can stop at any time."
"Yeah? What time is it now?"
"Time for a new episode. Ya feel me?" He grinned, the humor in his eyes unmistakable.
I sighed, shaking my head. "Spoken like a true otaku."
If there was anyone as hooked on the 'arts' of my old world as Steez, it was Luda. The prince was fascinated by the light-screen projections I'd crafted from my memories. The fact that I could store them in diamonds I had transmuted into mana gems? That blew his mind. Diamonds were pretty simple to turn into mana crystals when you used [Transmutation] on coal. Now, mana crystals weren't the same as magic gems—the former stored and conducted any form of mana, while the latter was an essential catalyst for Gem Mana users. Semantics, I know. I ended up calling them Mnemonic Crystals.
Thanks to my [Memory Recreation] and those crystals, I could not only share my memories with others but also reconstruct broken or incomplete memories. It allowed me to share so many things from my old world with Luda, my family, and even some craftsmen in town. Watching how it shaped their fighting styles, their mana skills received from the Prime Realm System, and even his mannerisms was wild. The influence on Luda's speech was hilarious at times.
"I got you when we finish this dungeon dive," I promised.
We dapped up and bumped fists, sealing the deal. Luda was well on his way down the otaku path, and all I could do was salute him on his journey.
"It's been an anxious four years," Luda said, his voice quieter now. "We're finally about to see if we can do what only two other parties have done."
I gave him a confident nod. "These skills I created last night should help. If my theory works out, we'll be unbeatable."
I'm gonna take a moment here to talk about Skills for a sec. On Gaia, when a Sociovore evolves, the skills we develop have a huge influence on the future path of our soul. The synergy between the skills can determine how we mature and evolve. It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the soul guides itself toward the right future. The trick is figuring out what the right path is.
Now, this isn't a case of having only one path. But there is a correct path. I learned that thanks to [Sage Wisdom] while studying [Soul Domination]. See, the soul feeds off the law of attraction. Your thoughts, your focus—they all have power. If you think, visualize, and believe hard enough, you'll attract the opportunities needed to make that reality happen. It's wild how it works, but that's the Ego of the soul in action. But more on that later.
I have to give credit where it's due. Without Luda and the others, I wouldn't have pieced together half of what I've learned about the mechanics of this universe so easily.
We slipped out of the house quietly, the only sounds being the soft creak of the door and the faint rustle of grass underfoot. The world outside was bathed in the deep blues and purples of early morning, the first hints of light barely starting to creep over the horizon. Talasi was still asleep, its streets empty, its homes dark and quiet. My family wouldn't be up for another hour or two, so I decided to take advantage of the silence. There was something I'd been meaning to test out in the Janell Forest and now seemed like the perfect time. The crisp air filled my lungs, tinged with the faint scent of damp earth and morning dew, energizing me even though I never really needed it. Infinite stamina had its perks.
Luda walked beside me, his footsteps practically silent. It was hard to remember a time before he became a constant presence in my life. Four years had passed since he joined us in Talasi, and in that time, he'd become like family, fitting in as though he'd always been there. We strolled in easy silence, the kind that didn't need words to fill it, both of us lost in our own thoughts.
Suddenly, Luda paused, his eyes narrowing as if he'd picked up on something. He glanced toward the distant tree line, then turned back to me.
"I'll be back before we head out. I need to check on something," he said, his voice low but casual, as though whatever he sensed wasn't a big deal.
I raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Check sumthin' huh? Ain't got nothin' to do with that mana signature hangin' around 806 meters from the entrance to the town?"
Luda winced slightly, rubbing his face with a sigh. "She's supposed to have her [Hide Presence] activated," he muttered, clearly disappointed.
"It is," I replied, shrugging as I stopped walking. "But she had to cross my barrier to get that close. So, I got the heads up when it happened."
He shook his head, muttering something under his breath about needing to have a serious talk with her. "I'll have to inform her captain she needs more training," he added with a sigh, already making plans to address it.
I waved him off with a lazy hand. "Anyways, I'll send a [Telepathy] message when it's time. No need to stress."
Luda chuckled, his mood lifting slightly. "As I say all the time, I've never seen anyone freestyle magic like you."
"Imagination is king here," I said with a grin, feeling a sense of pride swell in my chest. There was something about inventing new skills and techniques that always got me going.
It made me think of how often I tried to explain that very thing to my squad, the idea that imagination is the key to pushing beyond what we know. I'd realized long ago that the people in this world lacked imagination. Sure, they understood what worked, but they didn't often challenge the status quo. They didn't push the boundaries or question whether there could be a better way. That, I figured, was what slowed down their growth—their souls' potential wasn't fully unlocked because they didn't believe in the possibility of more. And without that belief, their desires were never strong enough to increase the law of attraction. They stayed within the safety of what they knew, which prevented the risk of overloading their souls with power.
I'd talked it out with [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] and [Midnight Star: Belial], trying to understand why the world was the way it was. Tsukuyomi explained it to me like this: most people have a built-in safety pace to prevent their souls from acquiring more skills than they can handle. That's what keeps their spirit from overloading and breaking down. A weak soul would destroy itself with too much power; like Omnia had kindly reminded me during our time in Eden.
That was when I started to understand what they meant by my soul's potential. I was different. Thanks to the Sonata Soul Core embedded within me, I had been born with a skill most people could only dream of—[Dominus Superbiae]. I had that beauty installed in my soul the night I was born. This skill granted me unlimited mana, information retainment, and skill storage, meaning I could take in and master an infinite number of abilities and techniques without ever hitting a cap. It did more than that, though. [Dominus Superbiae] also enhanced my ego in ways that protected my mind. Fear? Gone. Doubt? Nonexistent. Hesitation? Not a chance. I'd even noticed that if I ever did manage to create some fleeting moment of fear or doubt within myself, the skill would activate, instantly relaxing me and clearing my mind. It was like having a built-in confidence boost on demand.
The more I thought about it, the more I wondered if that was the skill The Creator had meant when they spoke about my soul's true potential. But deep down, I knew there was more to come. I could feel it, like an itch in the back of my mind, urging me forward. My gut told me I was just scratching the surface.
Luda was one of the few people who truly seemed to understand some of my theories. Maybe it was because of his own drive, his own desire to be a protective shadow for his nation. He always talked about how the Kingdom of Braye held him in such high regard, how they saw him as their future champion, their future king. And man, did he take that seriously. He was constantly preparing, always looking for new ways to better himself. He didn't want to let them down, and he never missed an opportunity to learn something he thought might help him when his time came. He wanted to know it all.
In that way, we were alike—both of us driven by the need to reach our full potential, to never stop growing. Even now, as he left to meet with the mana signature outside the forest, I knew he was excited to tackle our upcoming challenges if it brought him more strength.
With Luda heading off, I turned my attention back to the forest ahead. The soft glow of dawn filtered through the trees, casting long shadows that flickered and danced as the wind whispered through the leaves. The Janell Forest was alive with mana, the air practically humming with energy. I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and slight anxiety as I knew today would be the day we tackled the dreadful Labyrinth of Jerrica.
Thanks to Edwind and his showcase of his V-Skill [Sky King: Amun], [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] analyzed and copied his [Mana-less Flight] skill. From that, I created [Spatial Flight]. By combining what I took from Ed's ability with [Spatial Control], I could now control my body within any axis in space. Traveling became smoother, but it wasn't as convenient as my [Spatial Teleportation]. I'll touch on that skill later.
The sky was still dark, the first hints of dawn still creeping up behind the distant mountains. A gentle breeze brushed past my cheeks, swaying my dreadlocks just slightly. There was always something calming about those quiet, early hours. It felt like the world belonged only to me at that moment, and I intended to make full use of it.
Levitating off the ground, I savored the slow lift, the soft tug of gravity slipping away. I liked to take it easy before accelerating, giving me a chance to look up and just... feel it. Then, in a blink, I shot into the sky, the world below shrinking as I rocketed upward like a bullet.
"Flying is like stepping into another dimension—free, untouchable. You get a whole different perspective up here, seeing how massive the world truly is. And Gaia? Man, Gaia is on a whole other level."
The wind roared in my ears, cool and invigorating as it whipped past my skin. The exoplanet stretched beneath me, its surface curving into the horizon. At a radius of 80,000 kilometers (49,710 miles), it dwarfed Earth by a long shot. The planet's rings, shimmering faintly in the sky, added a fantastical element as if I were in some cosmic dreamscape. It was impossible not to be captivated by it all—the beauty, the peace. Real nigga shit.
I zoomed toward the Janell Forest, the vast greenery sprawling out below like a sea of juniper green waves. But something unusual broke through the peaceful hum of the wind—music. My ears, enhanced by [Super Hearing], picked up the delicate melody of a lyre. The notes were light and ethereal, weaving through the air like silk. It was the kind of tune that could lull you into thinking everything was fine, that the world was at peace. But then I felt a shift. A soft buzz in my head—a warning.
[Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] stirred within me, his voice clear and analytical. "Ability analyzed. Blocking additional waves of the skill [Dryad Charm]. Master, would you like to learn the skill [Charm]?"
I chuckled to myself. "I could only see myself using that for evil... So, yes. Hehehe."
[Midnight Star: Belial] chimed in, his deep, playful voice filling my mind. "There's a Dryad nearby. Can we breed it?"
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, you're up? And horny."
As I flew, I began to think about the changes in my own body. "Come to think of it, I've started getting sexual desires again in this form. Must be the young adult phase."
Belial's voice persisted, now more serious. "I haven't heard a no."
I sighed. "How 'bout we check it out and at least make sure it isn't a male?"
[Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] spoke up again, its tone clinical as always. "There is no such thing as male Dryads. Once those spiritual creatures manifest in the mortal realm, they adopt feminine vessels."
A smirk crept across my lips. "Cool. Not really a fan of naked dudes. Ain't nothin' better designed than the female body. It's just... perfect."
Tsukuyomi didn't miss a beat. "I can think of a well-designed sword."
Belial snickered. "What about protection?"
For a second, I thought he was talking about condoms, and my mind nearly went off track. Tsukuyomi clarified, "If needed, I can produce armor designs."
I shook my head at myself, my thoughts getting tangled for a moment. "Oh... armor. Right."
Before I could get too far into that rabbit hole, Tsukuyomi cut back in. "We're closing in on the source of the music."
I nodded, refocusing. "Right. Let me lock in." The lyre's melody was still drifting through the trees, luring me closer, but now, my mind was clear, thanks to Tsukuyomi's quick analysis.
It was time to see what this musician had in store.
I landed softly a few meters from the edge of Marie Pond, where the shimmering water met the dense, mystical Janell Forest. The two places intertwined, almost as if they were sister domains, with the same life-giving energy flowing between them. As I touched down, my feet barely disturbed the stillness of the air, and the soft sound of the lyre I had heard earlier drifted across the surface of the pond, dancing on the water like ripples of light. My eyes followed the melody to its source, where I spotted the performer—a Dryad.
Perched on a chopped tree trunk, she looked nothing short of a fantasy brought to life. Her skin was a smooth, soft lime green, adorned with intricate vine-like tattoos that seemed to hug her curves in all the right places, accentuating her already lewd figure. Her body was curvy and voluptuous in a way that reminded me of the models I'd see all over social media back on Earth. Yeah, the kind that would have entire comment sections going crazy. Her breasts were large and round, barely constrained by gravity. Her bright pink hair cascaded down her back in waves, wild and untamed, adding to her surreal beauty.
"Damn," I muttered under my breath, taking her in. "Look at them titties."
From within me, I could feel [Midnight Star: Belial] stirring, his voice seeping into my thoughts like smoke. "Can we breed her?" His tone was insistent, filled with lust.
I chuckled darkly. "You know, I'm glad I'm not human anymore. Thinking like that back on Earth would've got a nigga a case."
The Dryad's gaze snapped to me as the music slowly trailed off. Her voice was soft but carried an almost ethereal quality. "Who are you?" she asked, her words smooth and melodic like the notes she'd been playing.
She studied me for a moment, her bright blue mana-filled eyes narrowing slightly as recognition dawned. "A Majin? Wait... I've heard of a Majin in this region."
Without warning, she rose to her feet—or, rather, floated. Her movements were fluid and graceful; as though gravity was nothing more than a suggestion to her. It was then I noticed the concentrated magitons beneath her, keeping her levitating effortlessly as she glided closer. She moved around me in slow, deliberate circles, her gaze sweeping over me like I was something she had just ordered, inspecting me from head to toe. The way her body swayed as she floated, breasts bouncing softly with every slight motion, only added to the surreal experience.
"The Devil of Velonica," she purred, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "You're as handsome as the Spirit Realm rumors say. Although, I don't think they see what I see."
Her words gave me pause. "Wait, what you say? What you mean spirits say I'm handsome?"
She giggled, a light, airy sound that sent a strange shiver down my spine. "Hehehe. I guess I shouldn't have let that slip. Let's just say your mana signature is the talk of the spiritual realm."
"So, I'm popular?" I raised an eyebrow, half amused, half curious.
"You're hard to ignore," she said, her voice lowering as she moved in closer until her breasts pressed softly against my chest.
Her nipples, hard and prominent, brushed against me through the fabric of my gi. The heat of her body was tangible, her skin warm and dangerously inviting as she looked me dead in the eyes. At that moment, I could feel my pulse quicken slightly. She was right at my height, 157 centimeters, and thick in all the places that mattered.
"You're not just popular," she whispered, her lips dangerously close to mine. "You're impossible not to talk about." The scent of amber and sandalwood gripped my attention.
I swallowed, trying to keep my thoughts from wandering as she continued to press against me.
"I was told to take people like you to see the book," she continued, her voice suddenly low and sultry. "But wouldn't you like to play first?" She gave me a look that could only be described as lustful, her eyes heavy-lidded and suggestive.
For some weird reason, I felt my Soul Core pulse when she said the word "book". Inside my mind, [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi]'s voice cut in.
"Warning, the Dryad is exhibiting signs of sexual arousal."
[Midnight Star: Belial] was quick to follow. "She wants the dick."
I blinked, trying to keep myself grounded. "What? What do you mean by 'play'? You tryna give me some pus—?"
"Yes," she said without hesitation, her tone sweet and innocent despite the words. "For that is the best way to absorb mana directly to my core."
"Hold up, hold up." I took a step back, raising my hands. "You seriously tryna fuck, right now?"
"Yes, silly," she said, laughing softly. "Or would you rather see the book first, and then share some of your delicious mana with me?"
I frowned. My spirit pulsed to the sound of her saying that once more. "That's the second time you've mentioned this book. And while I enjoy a quickie like the next nigga, my soul's telling me to go see this book first."
"Boo," she pouted, sticking out her bottom lip in an exaggerated fashion. "Oh well, I can't say I didn't try. Come, follow me."
With that, she floated back, her body turning as she led the way into the forest. And as she did, she gave me one hell of a view. The way she hovered just above the ground caused her hips to sway, her bare ass on full display, each movement making the soft curve of her backside even more pronounced. While her vulva was visible from that angle, I couldn't help but notice the soles of her feet, smooth and flawless, as they barely skimmed the surface of the earth.
"Grandma Fann wasn't playing when she said Dryads are man-eaters," I thought, shaking my head slightly.
"Can't believe we're not going to breed her," Belial grumbled, sounding genuinely disappointed. "She was asking for it."
"Focus, my nigga," I thought back, keeping my eyes on the path ahead. "I'mma get us some pussy when the time is right. Let's just see what she's trying to show us first."
After six minutes of walking, we arrived at a small opening in the trees. The thick canopy parted, revealing a clearing bathed in soft, dappled light. The centerpiece of this hidden spot was an altar, oddly placed against a massive tree with dark bark. It looked ancient, the kind of ancient that radiated energy without trying. Ailis, the dryad, had been chatting the whole way, her voice light and melodic. She seemed to enjoy filling the silence, and I found myself appreciating the noise.
She talked about her experiences with a few pixies and fairies, and then casually dropped some more... unexpected knowledge. "Dryads," she explained with an innocent smile, "since we're all female, we get stronger draining mana from male beings through sexual intercourse. It's kinda like what the Succubi and Lilituu do."
I blinked at her, surprised she said it so nonchalantly. "Wait, what?!" I thought but didn't interrupt. She continued, "That's how they reproduce and maintain the balance with the trees and Treants here."
Before I could question further, she smoothly changed the topic, her voice brightening again. "I'm sure the Fairy Queen wants the same from you. If I was her, I would want that."
I paused mid-step. "The Fairy Queen?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "She knows my name?"
Ailis nodded, her pink wild curls bouncing. "There was a special request from her, you know, just in case the Devil of Velonica showed up in the forest, again. If any spirits encountered you, we were supposed to bring you here." She pointed to the altar. "And tell you to retrieve the book."
I raised a brow, feeling the weight of curiosity pressing into my chest. "Not my name, just my alias. Got it. What is this book about?"
Ailis shrugged. "I don't know what's inside. But if the Fairy Queen requests something, it's like law. So, here we are."
Her explanation didn't sit right. "Am I bringing too much attention to myself? Nah."
I thought, my eyes scanning the altar ahead. The closer I got, the more intense the magical energy in the air became, saturating everything around me.
The altar, black and ornate, pulsed with mana. Its surface looked too perfect, like it didn't belong here. The pressure of magic floating off it was thick, like breathing in a storm of power. And there, laid on top, was a bible.
Not just any black bible—this thing screamed magic. The space-like cover practically hummed, surrounded by a magical barrier that repelled anything trying to get close. An eight-meter radius shield shimmered in red, blue, and black, swirling like a storm of colors under the influence of an invisible wind. The scent of vanilla and jasmine drifted from it, triggering a flood of nostalgia. It was as if the past had seeped into the present, and I could almost feel a distant memory stirring deep inside.
I couldn't help but mutter, "What the hell is this?"
Ailis stepped closer, her voice quieter now. "That's the book, Pawprints & Dreams. It's said to have been written by The Creator herself when she last visited Gaia about two thousand years ago. Or at least that's what I've been told."
My fingers twitched as I stared at the barrier. "Why would the Fairy Queen want me to find this?"
"I don't know," Ailis admitted, shaking her head. "But when you popped up on the radar, the message went out. She was specific about it."
I glanced at her, then back to the altar. "Well, let's see what I can figure out."
Part of me considered brute-forcing my way in, but that felt reckless. I had other tricks up my sleeve, and it was time to test some theories. That's when [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] decided to chime in.
"The deep concentration of magitons and spiritons is creating a reaction similar to electromagnetic repulsion," he explained inside my head. "It affects souls more than physical forms. Spirit Creatures are just as hindered as mortals. Use [Dispel] and [Soul Domination]."
I crossed my arms, thinking it through. "So, I weaken it for a moment, then control the spiritons myself?"
"Correct, master. You'll be able to stop the output."
With a nod, I raised my right hand, aiming it at the shimmering sphere of mana. I activated [Dispel] first, feeling the magic around the altar tremble under my influence. Then, I triggered [Soul Domination], reaching out to the spiritons that flowed from the book. It was like trying to catch smoke, or maybe the essence of a ghost. But they responded, bending to my will. The shield cracked, then shattered into nothing as I clenched my fist, the defensive spell collapsing under my control.
I know you're probably wondering, "What the hell are spiritons?" Well, let me get my nerd on for a second cause I love shit like this. So if you don't remember, magitons are the primary particles that make up mana, the magical energy pervading the universe. Its primary role is being the essence of Omnis Mana, enabling its various forms and uses. But it's only one of the fundamental building blocks of this reality that is often released from every form of matter. While at the time, I didn't know how many Fundamental Particles existed, I knew that understanding them would give me a new level of control. Along with magitons, I gained knowledge on Spiritons by analyzing the skill [Soul Domination]. Spiritons are the fundamental quasiparticles that constitute spiritual energy. They are the building blocks of the soul, serving as the essence of consciousness and spiritual existence in the universe. Combine with magitons to create Astral Mana. Understanding spiritons is the secret to resurrection, but outside of practicing on some mana beast I've hunted, I hadn't tested with levels of spirit energy like that book was producing.
With the barrier gone, I approached the altar, getting my first real look at the design. It was carved from what looked like multicolored marble, and the details were insane. Three naked women, each one distinct, stood facing each other, holding up a tiered sky with moons and stars at the top. It looked like the twilight was crawling through the stone itself, shifting colors as I moved.
The grimoire, Pawprints & Dreams, was a black leather masterpiece with a crescent moon rising from the middle of a pawprint. The same red, blue, and black colors from the barrier shimmered softly on the cover. I reached for it, feeling the weight of its magic even before my fingers touched the surface.
As soon as I grabbed it, laughter echoed around me, the playful giggles of three women swirling like invisible winds. Before I could react, I felt my consciousness get yanked into a mind space within my Sonata Core—a subdimension that existed within me, deep in my soul.
The space was an endless indigo void, with a black neutron star and a white moon rotating above me. In the center sat a mirror image of myself, cross-legged and ethereal.
Before I could process it, my view flipped. Suddenly, I was sitting where the reflection had been, and the mirror image was gone. The shift was disorienting, but I'd traveled like a photon before using my Air Samba art. This wasn't too different, though it left me feeling strange.
Looking up at the star and moon, I heard the giggles again. Three spiritual lights appeared, dancing in front of me, their hues—red, blue, and black—pulsing with life and magic. They radiated warmth, admiration, and a weird sense of intimacy as they circled me.
The red light giggled again. "Ooh, he's a handsome devil."
The black one, Noir, echoed her. "I like, I like. I'm in love."
"Mmm, yeah, he cute or whatever," the blue one chimed in with a smirk in her voice.
Red swirled around me. "So, he's the one we've been waiting for?"
Blue seemed to appraise me. "Yep, same mana signature."
Noir hummed. "Good. I was going to stay with him regardless."
I frowned, finally speaking up. "Time out—what's going on? Who are y'all?"
Before they could answer, the moon above me pulsed, a chime ringing through the space. [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi]'s voice cut through the ethereal air.
"Master, Pawprints & Dreams has been fully analyzed. You have unlocked the Divinity Skill [Guardian Armament: Twilight Goddess]." His voice paused before continuing. "Unpacking personal skills of Twilight Goddess. Installing Civil Luna, Nautical Sol, Astronomical Nova. Error. Installing repackaged Soul Shards. All three spirit beings were installed. The Personal Skill [Spirit Weapon] is incomplete. Requires additional installation."
I blinked. "Wait, did I just gain new skills or not?"
Red purred, "We are all yours, daddy." She even manifested a glowing heart in the air.
I sighed, feeling the pace of things moving too fast. "Okay, so let me get this straight: that bible book I touched contained a skill, which I learned. But the skill is an incomplete three-in-one spiritual weapon set?"
Blue grinned. "Looks like you're catching on."
"But I'm still confused." I couldn't help but laugh. "Outside of the incomplete aspect, as someone who is used to being a triune, I guess it makes sense that my soul weapon comes in three different halves. But isn't it all starting to feel a bit... thematic?"
Noir swirled closer, her voice a rich sultry whisper. "Someone definitely likes themes, darling."
A slow, spiraling tornado of mana began to twist around me, picking up momentum with each passing second. The air felt charged, electric, like the atmosphere before a storm. My body tingled, buzzing with vibrant energy as the three glowing hues—red, blue, and noir—sank into my chest, merging with me. It was like being submerged in warm water, the sensation both soothing and invigorating at the same time. I could feel their presence inside me, the essence of each spirit intertwining with my soul.
The wind whipped around me, fierce but controlled, forming a cyclone that blurred my vision, casting everything in swirling shades of indigo and ultraviolet. The once sweet and intoxicating scent of vanilla and jasmine, which had clung to the air around the altar, was replaced by the earthy, wild aroma of the Janell Forest. It was like inhaling the very essence of the woods—the scent of damp leaves, rich soil, and distant flowers carried on the wind. When the cyclone of mana finally dispersed, I found myself back in the forest clearing. The altar, where I had encountered the book, and even the Dryad, had vanished, as though they had never existed.
I blinked, trying to make sense of it all. "Woah..." I muttered under my breath, my voice sounding small amidst the rustling trees. "Am I high? Is that what shrooms with mana are like?"
Inside my mind, I heard the first of the voices, soft and melodic.
"Ooooh, your mana feels wonderful," Luna purred, her tone teasing and light.
"I like his smell," Sol added, her voice more grounded, like a content sigh.
Nova's tone was more distant, almost sleepy, but still there. "This is home, now. I'll be napping over here."
I stared at the empty space where the altar had been, letting their words settle in. "You three? So that most definitely was real."
[Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] chimed in, his voice as calm and matter-of-fact as always. "Correct, master. You are hearing the three voices of the Twilight Goddess. But your newly acquired Guardian Armament is still incomplete in its current stage."
I exhaled sharply, trying to process everything that had just happened. The day had barely begun, and here I was, dealing with something straight out of a harem anime. Three ethereal beings had taken up residence in my soul, and from the sound of it, they weren't going anywhere anytime soon. But honestly? I was excited. Guardian Armaments were rare and powerful. And now I had not just one, but three to study, learn from, and master... Even if I didn't understand the statement of being incomplete.
I grinned to myself, a rush of adrenaline coursing through me. "Well," I muttered, cracking my knuckles. "More shit to figure out. This is gonna be interesting."
[End of Chapter]