A Blessing of an Invisible Armor

"Lucid Guard—the first miracle I've chosen to perform. It's the least dangerous, and I'm almost certain it won't put my life at risk."

Izikel read Azrael's entry again. The explanation was clear, almost too simple for something that sounded so profound.

He already knew most of the miracles in the book were far beyond his current capabilities—at least until he passed the first trial. But this one was different. According to Azrael It was achievable even before the first trial.

"From the looks of things, this one should be safe," he thought, nodding with growing confidence.

"First, I'll create something directly from the dream," he murmured.

Closing his eyes, he pressed his right hand against the unburned side of the obsidian-black rock. Violet flames flickered gently in front of him, casting surreal shadows across his slender face, painting his features in hues of luminous purple.

He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, not focusing on an object this time, but on something more abstract—the raw essence of creation itself.

As if called by his intention, the dream responded.

A soft hum resonated in his left hand as a faint, translucent energy began to take form—an invisible shield of sorts, warm and light, like liquid mist wrapping around his skin. It flowed gently across his body, forming a second layer of protection—an ethereal armor that shimmered faintly in the presence of the altar's sacred energy.

He opened his eyes.

It had worked.

To confirm, he summoned his Fate Scripture. The glowing text unfurled before him:

---

—Anchor of Oroborn—

Name: Izikel Vau-Leotard

Title: The Dreamer

Acquired Attribute: The One Who Dreams

Attribute Effects:

Heightened Mental Awareness: The Dreamer is more attuned to his subconscious.

Free Dreaming: Your dreams are no longer ordinary.

Attribute Blessing:

Dreamwalking: The Dreamer can traverse the dreams of others.

Dream Creation: The Dreamer can forge items from his dreams.

Dream Divination: The Dreamer can uncover hidden truths.

Lucid Guard: The Dreamer is protected by dream essence.

Soul Divinity: II

Soul Energy: 1000/1000

---

He smiled to himself, a quiet triumph blooming in his chest.

"As I thought. And the energy drain is barely noticeable while I'm near the altar," he muttered, impressed.

He wasn't entirely sure what the Lucid Guard could withstand, but according to Azrael's notes, it would offer protection against some forms of physical harm. That was good enough—for now.

With a smirk, he lifted the book high into the air.

"We're going to do amazing things together!"

---

The next day began with intensity.

After a brutal warm-up that nearly drove Izikel to collapse from exhaustion, he and Dremlin resumed their sword training.

This time, Dremlin was taken aback. Izikel's swings weren't wild or clumsy anymore. He was analyzing, adjusting—testing new techniques to break Dremlin's guard.

While he was still far from his former self, there was no denying the sudden progress.

Just the previous day, he had looked like a complete novice. But now? He held his ground.

Unbeknownst to Dremlin, Izikel's secret weapon was the Lucid Guard. The invisible armor dulled the pain of each clash, reducing the friction between his palms and the sword hilt. That tiny comfort allowed him to focus—to think.

And with that clarity, Izikel pushed himself harder.

In his mind, swordsmanship was a game of rhythm and reaction. If his eyes could track the blade, and his body could respond fast enough, then surely—surely—he could win. At least, that's what he believed.

But Dremlin, sensing the improvement, didn't hold back.

With effortless grace, he deflected Izikel's frantic flurry of strikes, his movements honed by years of mastery.

Grunting with effort, Izikel launched a downward strike with everything he had. Dremlin knocked it aside with a single fluid motion.

The sword flew from Izikel's grasp, skidding across the ground before stopping near Lyzah and Sophia.

Sophia picked it up, brushing the dirt from its blade.

"Here, Lord Izikel," she said, approaching.

Izikel's eyes flicked to her, and without hesitation, he deactivated the Lucid Guard.

There was no instruction in the book about hiding the miracle, but something told him that if Sophia—a Divine believer—got too close, she might sense it. And worse, she might recognize his soul energy as something unnatural… something chaotic.

Even if she didn't, the mere fact that he had soul energy would raise questions. Dangerous ones.

Better safe than exposed.

"Thank you, Sophia," he said with a practiced smile, accepting the weapon from her hand.

She lingered for a moment, and he caught the worry in her expression.

"Are you alright?" he asked gently.

She hesitated, then forced a small nod. "Yes… of course, Lord Izikel. I just… I still wonder if it's wise for you to come with us on this crusade—especially after your injuries."

Izikel exhaled slowly. "To be honest… I've wondered the same."

The uncertainty clawed at him. The danger beyond these walls was a complete unknown. Wild beasts. Hidden enemies. Unseen forces.

Sophia's warnings hadn't fallen on deaf ears.

He was afraid.

But only he knew what would happen if he didn't leave. If he stayed, he'd be trapped under the watchful eye of the Legion Commander—and he had no illusions about what that man was capable of.

The dream had already served as a warning, there was no need to take any chances.

Knowing that Dremlin wasn't strong enough to protect him, there was only one path forward.

"I'm going regardless," he said quietly, resolve hardening in his chest.

He smiled at her again, softer this time. "There's no need to worry. I'm sure everything will be fine."

She nodded, reluctantly, and stepped back.

As she left, Izikel shook his head with a quiet chuckle.

"Isn't it ironic? The weak one, reassuring the strong," he mused.

The thought unsettled him, and the smile faded from his lips, replaced by a creeping sense of dread.