Return of the Fallen Volume 12 Chapter 12
As he trained and learned about time magic, he became more and more efficient in its use. At first, it took nearly all of his concentration to use a small amount of time magic. In this way, the difference between his soul world to the outside world became disgustingly large. It was like the difference between the sky and the ground.
His training in time magic also allowed him to spend more time learning about the many energies of Chaotic space. As seconds passed in the outside world, decades passed inside his soul. As these seconds turned to minutes and hours and then days. Kazuki had no longer spent decades in his soul world but rather millions of years.
There were many benefits but also many problems. Even after having spent several million years passing in his soul world, his progress with time only went so far. He still could not expand beyond his soul world and use it in the real world. He explored it to its limits or rather it was he who had limits. Since he was a Demigod, his soul could only grow so much.
There in lied the problem. Whatever the next phase of, the new level of understanding, it lay at the God level. Origin magic was, of course, the most difficult power he dealt with and he still had made almost no progress with it but Time magic was a close second and had its own difficulties.
Advancing his own time in his soul was one thing but the barrier to changing time, and manipulating it in the real world just did not seem possible. This made Kazuki extremely curious about the creator of the Infinity blades. For them to have fallen out of chaotic space only caused Kauzki’s curiosity to skyrocket but at last, dwelling on it brought no answers.
He had already mastered the other energies flowing through Chaotic space but again this brought very little results. It caused more headaches than anything else as Kazuki tried to think his way out of this situation again and again.
Every once and a while he would discuss his theories with Codex and Arc as well as test his theories but he got nowhere.
In the end, he kept coming back to the same conclusion.
(I am too weak.)
If he were a God, his powers would be at a level in which he could possibly, finally try and use Origin energy. He had been stumped. Codex and Arc both said he had manifested Origin energy but neither could figure out how nor find the memory inside Kazuki. It was as if that moment in time had been erased. This was another reason Kazuki wished to conquer time magic. He felt if he did so, he would somehow be able to see that moment in time and then recreate it. If he could recreate it and manifest Origin energy, then he could share it with Arc and they could escape this place.
This, of course, was all fairytale shit and he knew it deep inside but he was not ready to give in. He understood where his limits lie as a Demigod but becoming a God was something entirely different. He did not know where a God’s limit lies. This is why he still held hope.
In order to become a God, besides being a Demigod and a transformed soul, one must receive Divine enlightenment.
There were a few times in his life when he felt he was on the verge of Divine enlightenment. What that would have done for him in his past, he did not know but he was open to it. Unfortunately for him, the few spare times he was on the verge of grasping something, he was interrupted and lost it.
Receiving Divine enlightenment was not something just anyone could achieve. Reaching such a stage in itself was a mystery on top of a rarity yet Kazuki had come across it around a handful of times. He did not know if this meant he had used up all of his luck or if there was still a tiny bit in the bank.
He felt he did not take advantage earlier when he helped his slave Gods re-enter Godhood. In order for them to become Gods once again. Besides having their souls repaired, they needed to receive Divine enlightenment. This was done with Viz’s help. He shared with them a memory of when he himself had achieved Divine enlightenment. With that shared memory and a healed soul, they once again became Gods.
Since Kazuki owned them, he could have taken a look at this memory anytime he wished but he was more concentrated on the upcoming ambush. Besides, at the time he was not a Demigod so it would have not helped him. Knowing what he knows now, he missed a grand opportunity and because of this failed chance, he may be stuck in this place forever or rather until Arc can hold out no more and he is obliterated in this place.
Millions of years passed inside his soul world and he desperately sought out Divine enlightenment. He racked his brain in serious thought and meditated constantly. He searched for the correct answers. He looked outward and inwardly for that feeling once more but it never appeared before him.
Around him were three God-like beings in Codex, Arc, and Sword. They were Artifacts but none of them are technically Gods. They were formed by a powerful creator and their consciousness came from Origin energy itself. They were not Gods and therefore had never achieved Divine enlightenment.
Kazuki felt himself going in circles and loops. He could not use Origin energy, he could not master time magic nor his own body in this place and he was shackled with many limits. He felt all would be solved if only he could become a God but it was he himself who was the deciding factor.
(Arc, your knowledge is vast, surely there is something I am missing. Can you not help me?)
(Kazuki, it’s not about whether or not I am willing to help. Divine enlightenment, I truly do not know the answer. The steps one takes to reach it, the when or how, I simply do not know. If I did do you really think I would hold back at this time? I wish to leave this place just as badly as you do.)
Kazuki who was well past frustrated couldn’t help but snap in this moment.
(Lies. You are fine taking your time but I have shit that needs to be done. Don’t patronize me. Even if you don’t know about Divine enlightenment, you could still share your knowledge on Origin energy with me yet you refuse! You wait to fall out of Chaotic space while I wait for my impending doom. We are not the same.)
Arc did not know how to react to this. Kazuki was usually more tactful and even when he was angry he would not go so far against Arc. Yes, there would be arguments here and there but Arc felt Kazuki’s accusatory tone was uncalled for.
Codex as well shifted forward in surprise.
(Kazuki, we already told you why we can’t share this information. Your mind could and most likely would unravel and your soul would be overloaded and it would explode. Origin energy is nothing simple. It is above all and below nothing. You who have yet to crack time magic, thinks Origin energy is just something one can unlock and handle. We don’t hold back for some selfish reason but because we really do not wish to see you destroyed.)
Kazuki pointed at Codex and his voice became cold.
(As far as I can see, you as well know nothing about time magic. So do not look down on me! I have thought and thought. I have trained and looked inward, tested millions of theories, explored my power again and again, and am getting absolutely nowhere. It is maddening. Especially when there are answers right in front of me. Yet the gatekeepers who supposedly care about me will not let me pass. I am not asking for everything, just a slice, a fragment of what you know. I must overcome this wall, and you three are the only ones who can help me do it. So do this favor and help me. Remember this is not just for me but fro all of our sakes. Do you not wish to leave as quickly as possible?)
Codex shifted backward.
(This and that are two different things. Risking you…It is not worth it. Waiting still makes more sense.)
Kazuki’s eyes widened. He felt his rage boil up and Arc’s inner space began to quake under his power.
(Waiting is asking me to accept my death! Codex…Do you wish me to die!)
Codex felt a terrifying pressure from Kazuki. It was completely unexpected just how much force he exerted. Without his Origin energy, Codex was overwhelmed by this power.
(KAZUKI! LOOK AT YOURSELF! YOU ARE LOSING IT!)
Arc’s roar shook his inner space and Kazuki snapped out of it. He looked at Arc and Codex before gritting his teeth and sitting down. His mind sank back into his Soul world and he refused to speak for a long time.
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