Chapter 101 - Snow day

Few weeks passed since they're quest, Caelum continued his training with the childrens often visiting Layla and Grammi when he had time with them started to grow closer and Anna was often there since she decided to stay for the time being. Caelum still hasn't mentioned that he knew about her and he didn't want to invade her privacy by probing into her mind. He has his complicated principles when it comes to his power. 

He decided to just wait until she opened up about the information and spend that time getting to know more about her. Talking with her reminded him of his mother and got close to her which is the reason why he refused to prove her mind. Caelum often notices her loneliness and loss in the world felt out of place with everything happening. Caelum didn't say anything about it and just made her feel that she belonged somewhere. 

At the current time, Caelum was looking around to find Anna at the library reading some books. He walked up to her to check what she was doing and greeted her while asking if he could join her. She just smiled and said that she doesn't mind at all letting him sit in front of her. 

"What are you reading?"

Caelum asked curiously looking at the cover and saw that it was a history about the world. She seems to be trying to find an answer in regards to the battle that soon to come. Anna placed the book down before explaining that she was just interested in history.

"It's funny how the world kept changing. This is perhaps the result of previous generations' hard work."

"Agree, what we have is the sacrifices and hard work of the people from the past."

She smiled hearing that he was able to appreciate how the past broad a brighter future for the next generation. Anna then down cast contemplating about something before asking a question 

"Caelum…if you had the choice to abandon the past in order to create a better future would you do it?"

Anna didn't expect for her to ask such a question out of nowhere, quickly taking back her question telling him that she was just talking nonsense but Caelum shook his head and said.

"Abandoning the past for a better future? To me, the answer is clear. I don't want to abandon the past for an uncertain future."

She was silent for a moment thinking that he was right since her decision had been too hasty and often questioned if her choice was the right one, especially how the dragon slayer children that she was supposed to bring were nowhere to be found. Anna had been trying her best to search for them but to no avail since the whole continent of ishgar is too vast. Everything was a disaster but she refused to give up hope. 

"However, if that chance is for the past to gain a better future even if the chance is 1 in 1 million, I'll gladly take it."

Caelum takes it literally abandoning the past rather than taking the decision where a chance is still there. He didn't even know the chance of reaching Sapphire was attainable but still tried everything and remained steady. 

"At least, that's what I would do."

"I see….thank you, Caelum."

She gained a bit of clarity washing away some of his doubt and felt grateful for Caelum who only had a wide grin telling her it wasn't much. The two continue to read until Anna reaches the part of regarding his empire.

"A dragon Empire? I thought it was a myth but to think there actually was a dragon Empire…"

"Are you talking about the Archeapeiron Empire? I heard that they are seclusive and don't interact with world affairs."

"Apologize, I haven't been in touch with the world for a while….I wonder if Acnologia is still alive."

"He is."

Anna caught off guard when Caelum bluntly said that Acnologia is still alive and asked how he hadn't finished the empire off only learning that they were too strong for him to handle and only hunted the Rogue dragons who refused to be under the Emperor. She nodded still considering Acnologia as someone who could be a threat about the future.

"I think Acnologia isn't the issue."

"Ah? What do you mean?"

"I mean that everything is likely a game made by someone pulling the strings."

She started to listen to Caelum's opinion telling her it was possible the gods were the one who manipulated every event for their own sick game making her contemplate his words since if it was true then they are going to be a bigger issue than Acnologia.

"How come you know all of this."

"Trade secrets. I can't tell you but trust me that I'm training because there will be the day the gods descend and a large-scale war is bound to happen."

Anna fell silent hearing his words having a hard time if his words were true or not and taking it as the truth then she needed to prepare as well. The two continue reading until Layla finds them and invites them to have lunch. 

===========

Far in the outskirts of Fiore where the season remains unchanged into a snow barren wasteland where only a fool would remain at such a low temperature place. Walking around one would see a muscular young man having wild spiky hair wearing nothing above only a pair of loose pants remained. He was riding an enormous beast that made any other animals to cower and run from the mere presence in it induced into the weaker race.  

This was Behemoth, a pet of Caelum who he decided to bring in his training since the place was the perfect condition to be in. Not to mention, Caelum had gotten a quest regarding a demon named Deliora that would be a crucial event in the future. He'll try to prevent Ul death if possible which is why he was there. 

The temperature was hardly an issue for him since he is able to adapt and had similar harsh conditions like the Grand magic zone back in Black Clover that he often visits to train. Caelum made his pet look like an enormous bear hiding how monsterous he truly is. 

"This spot seems perfect enough."

Caelum commanded the behemoth to stop as he unmouth took a few steps forward finding the spot that was suited for training and placed a heavy burden into his body that weighed down into him using only what his physiology gifted him. He took a horse stance and began his intense training of continuously punching the hair like how Netero did his training trying to achieve enlightenment by doing a simple task. 

He believed that he had neglected the foundation of his combat skills and decided to start from scratch to trace his roots and find the flaws in them. Caelum felt the cold yet kept pushing himself and showed his insane tenacity. He refused to stop and kept going for a whole day and night without rest beside meditating using the [ Sacred Scripture ] accompanied by his [ Hercules Method ]. Behemoth just there hunting and playing around the mountains even brought a wyvern that Caelum roasted to have a meal. He devoured the meal then resumed his training.

After a while a week had passed, Caelum noticed the relative change in his tempo and control having acquired a level of skill over his techniques. He wanted to reach the level of Garou's martial art which had transcended normal skill and honed it to the point where he was able to copy other people's combat techniques. Caelum was then heard and saw an ices shard coming towards him that he immediately held out and shattered by pinpointing its weak spot. He knows that everything has a certain weak spot that martial artists can use against an opponent showcasing that he has reached a new level of skills. Caelum didn't use magic, ki or anything beside his martial arts. 

The dust and debris soon disappeared and saw three individuals coming his way finding a little boy with black hair and another with a white hair followed by a young woman of average height with a slim, curvaceous figure. Her irises were black and she kept her dark purple hair at chin length. Her hair was normally quite unkempt, cascading down the sides of her face and covering her ears. Only a few strands of her hair hung down her temple, some falling between her eyes. 

The most noticeable thing is that they were all wearing undergarments with her not feeling any shaming and concentrated in scolding the young man with the black hair. She then turns to him while sighing before looking at him, noticing that he was naked yet wasn't bothered by the coldness. The woman seemed to conclude that he was a powerful mage or another ice mage but seeing his body made her doubt it. 

"Are you alright? I'm sorry if my pupil bothered you. I didn't expect him to suddenly use an advanced level of ice magic."

The woman asked inwardly, making Caelum pleased that he was able to finally meet her. It made things a lot easier and assured in achieving his plans.

"It's fine. Right, I'm Caelum."

"My name is Ul, these two are my pupils, Gray and Lyon."

She pointed at the two making Gray apologize for the inconveniences which he just shrugged it off telling them that no harm happened. After a while, they joined him, having a conversation about the reason why they were there. He mentioned his training as well and suggested joining them since he can provide the kids at least some combat experience. Caelum told them that a capable fighter can teach them how to fight since their magic could only get them so far.

It's obvious that Ul isn't as experienced in regards to fighting and gave up trying to decline his offer since they likely encounter each other. In an instant, Ul felt something coming and became vigilant quickly shielding her two disciples when Behemoth arrived making her restless and prepared to attack it.

"Wait, that guy is with me."

Caelum stopped her since she was about to attack him as Behemoth arrived like an adorable puppy wagging his tail and being caressed by Caelum and even licking him making Ul surprised something like that exist and still anxious letting his pupils around it but Gray and Lyon seem excited looking at the creature asking Caleum if they could pet it which he nodded. Ul wanted to stop them but it was too late and they ran up to it and began smothering themselves into its thick fur. 

"What is his name?" ( Gray )

"Behemoth. It is also his race and doesn't mind being called it."

Though in truth it was not his race rather an evolutionary title that attained when creatures like elephants evolved past their previous race trait.

Behemoth seems to enjoy being played with by children, especially with his daughter and sons. Ul cautious around the creature and slowly approached it then held out her hands that was guided by Caelum surprised her then soon felt the soft and warm fur that was perfectly soothing.  

"It's amazingly soft! Where did you find him?"

She exclaimed, baffled at the sensation since it was unlike anything she has felt before. Caelum smiled seeing her speechless just holding the Divine beast. 

"Out of my adventures. I fought him a bit then eventually tamed it when I defeated it."

He did gain him from the Eternum game that he started to think to be real. Caelum planned on investigating it to find out more about it. But for now, he focuses his time with his family once he returns to earth since he also has to finish his game with Alex and Nova.