The Most Likely Path I — Ambrosya

"Thank you, my chosen one," She said as she rested her chin on my head and pushed my face into her chest.

I could feel her tears drip onto my hair, but I paid it no heed. I allowed myself to be embraced, to feel loved and wanted. It was indeed a feeling beyond soothing.

I've never had a mother, after all. The touch of a goddess could be similar to what it feels like to be embraced by one's own birth giver... right?

"Hah," I sighed, and Lappei pulled away from me.

On her face was a smile that could move worlds. Gods fed off of the energy generated by faith, and when their believers made sacrifices such as these while having full trust in their powers, it would bring them a feast.

It was something that the recovering Lappei needed badly.

"I will be forever indebted to you," She whispered.

After all, the power one could gain from a sacrifice usually differed based on the strength of the god. If I had sacrificed these 40 or so treasures to a different god, the powers I would receive from them would be a thousand times greater than the powers that Lappei could give me.

I was technically suffering an immense loss, which made Lappei feel all the more grateful.

"I will now advance the ranks of your [ Foresight ], so please close your eyes." Lappei put a palm on my cheek, "I hope it can keep you safe."

Hearing this, I felt excitement. I happily closed my eyes and awaited the influx of power. Similar to before, Lappei gently placed her thumbs on my eyelids and breathed out a wisp of godly flair.

White fog was birthed from Lappei's lips and seeped into my eyes. I felt a warmth that lingered just within the surface of my cornea.

The foreign touch of another being upon a part of my body that was definitely vulnerable made my survival instincts scream. However, it was this mix of danger and trust that truly made the influx of newfound power exhilarating.

It took about a minute for this warm feeling to circulate. When it was all over, I felt a sense of relief. Like the feeling after a good massage, I felt warm all over, and my body was rejuvenated.

Although it was my [ Foresight ] that had been strengthened, the rest of my body had been refreshed.

Lappei took a few steps back as my eyes fluttered open. The light pierced my eyes, indicating a sensitivity that I did not have before.

As I gazed around the room, I no longer saw the things I used to see when Foresight only worked for but a fraction of a second. I intuitively felt what was different.

"I have adjusted the way you see into the future, my chosen one." Lappei started as she picked up a nearby greatsword as if she was holding a toy. "Instead of being permanently active, your [ Foresight ] now reacts to incoming threats."

I blinked, and the images that would come three seconds later appeared before my eyes. I witnessed Lappei swing her shining weapon in a wide arc, aiming straight for me.

I was shown a future where I would be attacked, and thus, I anticipated it by stepping back just as Lappei swung.

Fwish—!

"Mm," She nodded as her greatsword just barely missed my throat. "That is indeed how you make use of your ability. I am reassured that you caught on to this fact quite quickly."

"It is my honour to be praised by my goddess herself," I smiled.

Seeing the future was a tricky ability. If I had acted too early, the future would've changed. Lappei would have been able to readjust the timing and range of her swing, thus changing the future prematurely and preventing me from making use of my advantage.

The difference between being able to see far into the future and being able to see only half a second into the future was practically negligible in a fight. After all, if you reacted to each future movement of theirs, they would adjust their own movements to counter yours, thus changing the future with each usage of [ Foresight ].

That was unless your opponent was the type to plan ahead.

In such a case, the farther you could see into the future, the better. Any traps would be dismantled before your very gaze. You would be able to predict their plans and tear such plans apart before they could even brew.

"There's also another thing," Lappei added, "I have given you the ability to see the most likely possible future at a large expense of mana. Through your mana, I can grant you visions of what will happen within thirty seconds of the future, but while you watch the visions, you will be blind to the outside world for a while."

"How long will I be blind for?" I asked.

"Around five seconds," She replied, "So please use it wisely, my chosen one."

I nodded. "Thank you, my goddess."

"Such gratitude is mutual." Lappei then gave me a gentle pat on the head before opening her lips one more time, "Since the sacrificial ceremony has been completed, I will take my leave here. Hevendrone might notice my absence."

She began to dissipate into a white fog, dissolving as if her warm body was all a lie.

"Goodbye, Caelum. You have given me the strength to watch over you from now on. Whenever you pray, you can expect my blessings."

"Then, I'll pray to you often," I thus waved my goddess goodbye, watching as even the white fog disappeared from my vision. All of the treasures that the fairies had earned through their blood, sweat, and tears disappeared with her.

The gentleness of my smile changed at that moment, becoming more of a feral grin.

The feeling of growing my abilities... I couldn't wait to make use of it in battle.

"Three seconds for each threat that makes its way towards me." I cackled, "Lappei made it sound so simple, but..."

I could do so much in such a timeframe. I could memorise my opponent's fighting style even before they act. If I could invoke the effect of my [ Foresight ] by changing my opponent's moves through my own movements, I would be able to watch multiple instances of their attacks, all with differing natures.

If my opponent was going to slash at me because of the way I stood, then perhaps I could bend forward. It might make them try a downward smash instead. Or perhaps a diagonal attack.

If I raised a shield, would they change into a stab? What if I retreated into the distance? Would they stop their attack entirely, or charge straight at me?

With that line of questioning, I could rapidly compile a book of my opponent's habits, as well as go about combat in an entirely different way.

This update to my [ Foresight ] was quite literally, game-changing.