Chapter 8 - Peace of mind

A whole year had passed since the incident regarding the news of the mountain that had completely turned into ice and many rumors surrounding the incident. The magic knights lead by Fuguleon had come into shock since the ice had barely melted even after seemingly being there for quite some time. It was due to the fact this is not a normal ice but rather a [ Silver Aura ] that produces an ice-like reaction. 

They've investigated and found the people who had been rescued by Caelum told the report of a masked child who had helped them. He suspected him to be the one responsible for saving them but thinking about the distances and time needed that he concluded it was impossible to be Caelum.

However his suspicions won't go away that easily and only made mental notes about it. This only made him adamant of protecting him since if he were to be used against them then it would be the end for them. Caelum didn't try manipulating his memory using illusion since he trust Fuguleon. 

He only focuses on making the [ Silver aura ] as a passive skill converting mana into this attribute to help him in the future. At the current time, Caelum was alone training as Mereoleona had decided to take the moment and have her personal training leaving the young boy to continue without her. 

Standing on the forest that they always train on, Caelum roundhouse kick then continues to strike with his other leg before using his momentum to punch the air and produce a powerful after shock. He could feel his body struggling but kept abusing his body in order to reach a higher level and evolved into a [ High Human ]. 

He had reached a level of skill that his perception was capable of slowing down and reaching an understanding when fighting someone up close. Caelum hardly used Mana and focused on Ki to improve his skills in fighting. The technique in striking vital points of his enemies could be since turning his hand into spears and blades. 

His foot performs an axe kick causing the ground to crumble before twisting his body to execute a roundhouse high kick. Caelum then vanished causing a barrage of afterimages to appear to strike the air that broke the sound barrier. Caelum was not satisfied and flipped then raised both his hands before he moved in a way that caused an illusion of him having multiple arms. 

He took a horse stance building up the power within his fist taking deep breaths that seemed to slow time down then the moment Caelum took his strike decimated the part of the forest. Caelum frowned at the result since it was lacking than he wanted it to be. 

"You look disappointed?"

Sapphire commented who sat in the sidelines admiring his body and skills that show the progress of his dedication in getting stronger. Caelum had been trying many methods to further refine his body into perfectly synchronizing the 3 bodies within him. 

"I am since I wanted it to be stronger but this seems to be the limit when I'm not using Mana skin."

"Fufufu I believe your standard has been twisted by either me or Mereoleona. You've already surpassed most people at your age."

"Hahaha you always know what words to use."

Caelum chuckled since his personality had slowly changed into a more ambiguous person who desired to get stronger without him even realizing it. He enjoys when his blood boils when fighting someone and gladly enjoys any strong opponent. 

The ruckus would normally alert the vermillion household but since it was a daily occurrence didn't even bother checking it out. Caelum already had a strong background when it comes to the vermillions household. 

Few minutes later, Caelum sat in a lotus position trying to improve his Mana Core by purifying it even further along with the Magic circuits. He carefully gathered the mana from the surrounding while evenly spreading it through his body that obviously caused an intense and agonizing pain. 

This kind of method was against the law of this world which is why grimoire was established for Mana cores. Unfortunately, Caelum remained stubborn and kept going in hopes to turn it into a white core. 

Within the universe of The Beginning after the end, A Mana Core is classified into six colors: black, red, orange, yellow, silver, and white. One's mana color starts off as black, due to the body's blood and other impurities mixed with the mana particles as they form together into a mana core. 

Each stage of the mana core colors is split into three shades(dark, solid, and light), except silver which is split into initial, mid and high and white core which does not have stages. 

In general, the lighter the mana core color, the purer one's mana core was. Therefore there was more power one could have access to. They also have an [Aether Core] which only known specific clans within that world are able to access it. Caelum ponders the possibility of gaining this energy if he carefully experiments with Mana.

Those who have [ Aether Core ] can perform one of these four: Aevum: Aether that controls Time. Spatium: Aether that controls Space. Vivum: Aether that influences Existence (Life, death, creation, and destruction) and Fate: Aether that influences Destiny.

However for Caelum, his goal is simply to control over each of them despite the possibility of backlash. Regardless, his current core started to change its shade and reached [ Dark Yellow stage ]. He opened his eyes, inhaling the profound sensation of the mana around him. 

'It is completely different than before.'

He could vaguely guess that he is capable of casting more spells and using more skill much longer with the addition of his purer Mana. Caelum got a solid grasp of his newfound magical capabilities and tried shrouding himself with Mana skin that reinforced his power. 

The young boy looks into the sky and vanishes to appear standing midair. Caelum found that his [Koku Shundō] was a lot easier to perform and much faster than before. He gave a light nod at the results and returned below. 

"I'm done training for now. Do you want to head to town for a date?"

"I would love to."

"Alright but give me a few moments. I want to test something." 

Caelum concentrated his magical energy into his palm trying to mold something into existence that slowly formed a small creature at the palm of his hand. Sapphire saw this immediately and knew what he intended to do.

[Is this…]

"Yeah, its body but I couldn't make it bigger since my power is still small."

[No, it's already enough! Thank you, Darling!]

"Now, I don't know how you'll possess it though…"

[Ah, leave that to me!]

He could feel something within him seem to sleep through and went into the small artificial body that slowly felt more alive than before as Cereza opened her eyes and delighted that she now had a body even if it was small. 

Her appearance was similar to Bayonetta from the game with a rather seductive body and alluring creamy white skin wearing skin tight outfit hugging into her small body. Caelum was slightly aroused as his body was slowly developing and reaching puberty. 

"How do you feel?"

[ It's perfect! I can finally move around and assist you more than just voice. ]

"Now that's done, where are we heading?"

"Let's just take a stroll and maybe buy some food."

Sapphire nodded while they headed to find Fuguleon to inform him about their plans. Though, they could always just leave but it would be troublesome if they looked for him and panicked when they could see them. Caelum arrived where Fuguleon was busy writing letters and noticed him.

"What can I do for you, Caelum?"

"I was planning on taking Sapphire to town if it's alright?"

Fuguleon gave it some thought since normally no one would let a 8 year old go on his own without an adult but seeing he was no ordinary young boy decided to leave him. Not to mention there hardly anyone could pose a threat to Caelum when he is always sparring with her sister. 

"Very well, be here before it gets dark. I trust you won't do anything careless."

"Who do you think I am? That lioness?"

"....yes."

Caelum only shook his head not denying the possibility of fighting people if things went wrong. 

"Alright, I'll make sure to be careful. Now that's done, we'll take our leave. See you later, alligator."

Caelum waves his hand leaving Fuguleon with a complicated expression before tilting his head in confusion.

'What's an alligator?'

============

The Clover kingdom was a medieval theme country with the obvious inclusion of magic. The kingdom is divided into three regions: the outermost Forsaken Realm , the Common Realm, and the central Noble Realm. Those in the outermost region are the poorest and weakest and are looked down upon by those from the inner regions. Despite peasants being accepted into the Magic Knights, these prejudices follow them, even if they have large amounts of mana.

Walking down the street of the town where people were selling and working to go by would see a young boy around the age 10 accompanied by the same age young girl. Though they were young their faces were captivating that it entices even those who glance at them. 

Caelum ignored the young girl's gaze since he wasn't there to have thots following him and to have a date with two of his lovers. He emanated killing intent to those who have a hidden agenda towards them and it was rather easy thanks to his [ Ki sense ].

"I've spent most of my time in a vermillion household and I have to say that this place is really mesmerizing."

He was someone who had lived in the 21st century where everything was easy access and had better living conditions yet the kingdom seemed more beautiful even more than any place within his old world. The air was fresh and unpolluted along with the presence of Mana that kept it purified. 

"As for myself, it is always interesting to see it"

"Hmmm I expected that you already foreseen everything considering your supreme goddess?"

"Fufufu you might see me as an Omni-potent being but there is a limit that I can't tell you. You have to find the answer on your own."

[ Wasn't it because your current body is vessel that you can't remember every single detail and use your omniscience? ]

"Yes but not entirely because of it. Even in my true form they are beyond my power and one of them is my father."

"Really? The same one who is probably sealed by his wife?"

"Wives actually, my father has 7. Anyway, it's nothing to him to escape it but he'll probably do it to please them since I've descended into this dimensional plane. "

"Is that so?"

Caelum is confused: what is the true power when someone as godly as her who could virtually do anything has enemies that she couldn't even hope to fight? He ponders his chances of fighting said being and even ponders if they are able to find and kill him. 

"Fufufu you're cute when you're worried. The answer is my father had made sure to hide our presence until you've a certain level. "

"Was it that obvious?"

[ Yes, darling but you don't have to worry because this woman of yours had made sure to hide your presence as well! ]

She pumps her chest cutely causing Caelum to slightly chuckle. Caelum wanted to refute that he wasn't worried and just pondered the idea but let it go. Their purpose was to have peace of mind and cast aside their problems. 

"Hahaha then I have to make sure to grow even stronger to avoid relying on you. Like they said, I ain't a man if I can't protect my woman!"

He exclaimed that made the two smile as they continued to roam the street before arriving at a restaurant and having their meals.