46 Old Friends

While everyone were preparing to undertake the final trial within the magic tower, Aiden raced through the city, drawing closer to his destination—the Magic Tower at the center. To his surprise, he discovered that the tower was encased in an immense magic formation, fortified by intricate circles guarding the gate.

"Charles must have been aware of the invasion and sealed off the tower. Since Damien isn't anywhere here and hasn't destroyed the formation, then he must be elsewhere. I must find him immediately," Aiden contemplated with urgency.

Amidst his observations, Aiden noticed a figure soaring above, attempting to go through the magical defenses. He focused his attention on the individual and realized they were using magic to try to dismantle the shield.

"Why is he here? I assumed he would be inside the tower, but it matters little. Perhaps he can assist me in tracking down Damien," Aiden mused.

Aiden swiftly ascended, flying towards the man. As he drew nearer, he recognized the distinctive green scarf and the familiar cane held by the elderly figure—it was Eldric, the very same person who had rescued him on a previous occasion.

"Hey, old man Eldric!" Aiden called out, a mixture of surprise and anticipation in his voice.

Eldric, occupied with his attempts to breach the shield, was taken aback by Aiden's sudden arrival. Initially, he struggled to recognize Aiden, as the young man now stood tall with a significantly more muscular physique.

"Wait a minute... you're the young mortal I rescued a few hours ago, but... how are you able to fly? And your body has grown considerably since our last encounter. What has happened to you? I had assumed you were an ordinary human," Eldric inquired, his astonishment evident.

Eldric's mind raced, trying to comprehend the extent of Aiden's newfound abilities. He couldn't help but marvel at the implications.

"If he possesses the power to fly, it suggests he is at least at the 6th level at least. The sheer energy emanating from his body right now denotes formidable strength. How did I fail to perceive this earlier? How was he able to conceal it? and how did I overlook it?" Eldric contemplated, astounded by the revelation.

Eldric couldn't help but feel a bit of curiosity towards Aiden's enigmatic capabilities. He yearned to learn more, to understand the depths of Aiden's newfound powers and the secrets they held.

Aiden, amused by Eldric's reaction, smiled and met his gaze. "Well, old man Eldric, it's a long story. Let's just say I've a very powerful divine ability. But that's not important at the moment. Why are you still outside the tower? I thought you would have already been inside."

Aiden's lack of response to Eldric's questions left the old man slightly perplexed. However, upon hearing Aiden's inquiry, Eldric's smile turned awkward, and he scratched his head. It seemed he felt a touch embarrassed about his earlier curiosity, not knowing Aiden well enough to ask about his powers, yet his own inquisitiveness had gotten the better of him.

"Hahaha... let us not dwell on that for now. I intended to return to the city to meet you again. I wanted to inquire if you had any insights on entering the tower without breaching the formation. It would be a shame to destroy such significant magical defenses without having the opportunity to study them. Unfortunately, time is not on our side. I discovered that the magic source resides within the tower, making it impossible to enter unless the gate is opened from within," Eldric explained.

Aiden directed his gaze towards the imposing magic formation, his expression tinged with a mix of frustration and determination. He turned to Eldric and conveyed his thoughts in a somewhat resigned tone.

"Sigh," Aiden sighed, his voice laden with a hint of disappointment. "It seems we have no other option but to deactivate the magic source. However, since that appears to be an impossible task, our only course of action is to dismantle the formation using sheer force. Time is against us, and we cannot afford to delay any longer. We must embrace drastic measures."

Aiden's voice carried a touch of regret as he acknowledged the potential consequences of their actions. Nonetheless, he remained resolute, understanding the urgency of the situation.

"While I hope Charles will forgive me after this," Aiden continued, his tone laced with a mixture of determination and remorse, "I apologize for the necessity of resorting to such radical means. We have limited options."

Eldric nodded in understanding and replied, "I comprehend. I too am driven by a sense of urgency and need to locate that person inside the tower."

Suddenly, Aiden's attention shifted, his gaze scanning the area behind him as he sought to determine the path he had come from. This action puzzled Eldric, leaving him curious about Aiden's intentions.

"Alright, let's give it a try," Aiden declared, his voice filled with determination.

Ascending higher into the sky, Aiden aimed to create a significant distance between himself and the protective shield. Eldric's unease grew as he wondered about Aiden's plan.

"Hey, young man. What do you intend to do? Breaking through the shield alone with your own strength would be futile. Unless you possess an attack power at the level of a Saint, it will be exceedingly difficult to breach it directly. We must combine our powers to have any chance," Eldric warned.

However, Aiden ignored Eldric's words and spoke with a commanding tone, "Obey my will and come forth...! Divine Axe Rhitta!"

Sighing, Eldric muttered to himself, "He completely disregarded my advice. Well, let's see what he is capable of. I am eager to unravel the workings of his power."

Elsewhere, in the building where Aiden had previously been meditating, the Axe Rhitta began to stir.

"Kchk... Kchch... Gchk... Chk..."

A tremendous explosion erupted as the Axe, shaking violently, launched itself into the air, obliterating the entire structure in its path. It hurtled toward Aiden's location at an astonishing speed, catching Eldric's attention as he felt a disturbance in the air.

Eldric voiced his concern, "What's happening now? Something is approaching at an incredible velocity..."

With a firm grip, Aiden caught the Axe as it swiftly reached his hand, his fingers tightly wrapping around its handle. As he prepared for action, he summoned the power of the sacred treasure.

"Sacred treasure, release!"

As those words escaped Aiden's lips, a sudden surge of light and intense heat manifested out of thin air, enveloping Aiden at its epicenter. Eldric, witnessing the overwhelming amount of magical energy radiating from Aiden, could do nothing but stand there in shock and astonishment.

Eldric's eyes widened in disbelief as he observed Aiden in his current state. "What kind of power is this? The heat emanating from his body, is getting contained within that weapon! Could it be one of the unknown divine weapons crafted by the Blacksmith Saint? No, I don't see any numbered jewel embedded within it. If not, then what kind of entity could have forged such a formidable treasure?"

Eldric struggled to fathom the immense power possessed by Aiden. It was as if he were beholding another sun, a celestial entity standing before him. His gaze shifted back to the protective shield, and a glimmer of hope sparked within him as he contemplated the possibility that they might actually have a chance to overcome the odds.

Eldric's understood Aiden's strategy as it unfolds before his eyes. He muttered, "Ah, I see now. Aiden is channeling and directing all the immense power and heat energy emanating from his body into the Axe, only to unleash it in a single devastating attack. It's as if the weapon itself was crafted specifically for him and his extraordinary abilities".

Amazement tinged Eldric's voice as he marveled at the seamless synergy between Aiden and the Axe.

Eldric's gaze fixated on Aiden, unable to contain his racing breath and the glimmer of curiosity and thirst for knowledge that danced in his eyes.

"Ah, it seems that in his presence, I may find the breakthrough I've been yearning for in my research on divine abilities. Such extraordinary power can only be attained through the possession of a formidable divine ability. Hahaha! Who could have anticipated that this encounter would grant me the opportunity to delve deeper into my experiments."

Unbeknownst to Aiden, Eldric possessed a discerning eye, capable of glimpsing the true extent of his power with just a single glance. This revelation emphasized the profound wisdom and expertise embodied in his title as the esteemed professor of magic.

A surge of euphoria washed over Eldric, accentuated by his maniacal laughter as he raised his hands toward the sky, exclaiming, "Hahaha! Now, Aiden, unleash the full extent of your power. Let me bear witness to your true might."

In response to Eldric's proclamation, Aiden relinquished all the potent energy within him, launching a fierce attack directly at the shield guarding the tower. However, before the strike made contact, the magical shield that had protected the tower inexplicably dissipated, allowing the attack to bypass it entirely and zero in on the gates ensconced by the intricate magic circles.

BOOOOM!

The sheer force of the attack created a blinding burst of light, engulfing both Eldric and Aiden. Thick smoke veiled the surroundings, obscuring their vision and concealing the aftermath of the devastating strike.

"Wind spell, wind surge," Eldric incanted, invoking a powerful gust of wind to disperse the smoke. Coughing and using his cane to clear the remaining haze, Eldric sought to regain sight of the aftermath.

"Cough, cough... That lunatic! He unleashed a devastating attack of such magnitude, obliterating everything in its path. Hey, boy... oh, yes. Hey, Aiden, where are you?" Eldric called out through the dissipating smoke.

"I'm here," Aiden responded.

Swoosh.

As Aiden spoke, he materialized beside Eldric, unscathed by the devastating attack. His powers, still surging at the dawn of the day, had shielded him from its effects.

"What happened? Just as I launched my attack, the shield vanished, and it struck the gates. Now the entire gate and corridor lie in charred ruins," Aiden observed.

Indeed, Aiden's assessment was accurate. The intense assault had melted the steel gate, leaving its edges still smoldering, while the walls of the corridor leading to the arena bore a pitch-black scorched appearance.

Aiden and Eldric navigated through the aftermath, their steps leading them to the arena where the second trial had taken place. The center lay in ruins, a result of Aiden's previous attack.

"It appears that someone deactivated the magic source right before you unleashed your assault. Without the magic source, this tower is no different from any ordinary structure. A mage must have infiltrated the tower and located the source, seizing control of the tower," Eldric speculated, his thoughts delving into the possible culprits and motives.

Aiden cast a gaze toward the entrance as the two leaped into action, sprinting towards the upper floors.

"No, they likely aimed to cripple Charles, preventing him from utilizing the tower's magical arsenal. As a spirit without a magic core, he relies on the tower to wield magic," Aiden remarked.

"Then your friends may be in grave danger. We must hasten to their rescue," Eldric urged, concern etched across his face.

"Hey, Eldric, tell me. Why are you involved in all of this? What drives you to go to such lengths? Is the person you're searching for truly that significant to you?" Aiden inquired.

Eldric narrowed his eyes, his voice tinged with determination. "Well... That person is the one who kidnapped my granddaughter. I traced their path until it led me here."

"...So, do you know who this person is?" Aiden pressed.

With a solemn expression, Eldric's demeanor turned grave, exuding an aura of lethal intent. In a cold, chilling tone, he responded, "Indeed. He is one of the nameless Titans. He is Titan Number 8, Seath."

________________

[A Few minutes before Aiden's attack]

"As I mentioned earlier, there were supposed to be four trials in total. Unfortunately, due to the infiltration of certain individuals onto the island, I had to eliminate one and proceed directly to the final trial," Charles calmly addressed the crowd, appearing unfazed by the situation.

The thousand participants gasped collectively, a tinge of worry creeping into their minds at the thought of someone breaching the defenses of a floating island in the sky.

Seeking to alleviate their concerns, Charles reassured them, "Fear not. I assure you that the security of this tower is impenetrable, and we still have ample time to conduct the final trial. Furthermore, unless a Saint himself were to make an appearance, there is no real danger."

Some participants harbored questions, but before they could voice them, a deafening explosion rocked the entire tower. It was the attack unleashed by Aiden in his attempt to destroy the shield, only to witness it dissipate before impact.

Before anyone could inquire further, the sound of clapping hands echoed through the chamber, capturing everyone's attention. "It has been quite some time, old friend. After all these years, we meet again. I hope life has treated you well," Damien declared, standing with all three nameless titans and their companions from the previous trial behind him.

Charles wore a look of shock, his mind going numb as he struggled to comprehend that the man standing before him was indeed the same person from his past. "How? How are you alive after all these years? No one can defy the ravages of time. Even someone like you cannot escape its grasp," Charles exclaimed, his disbelief palpable.

Damien smiled and shook his head, dismissing Charles's doubts. "You underestimate our determination and unwavering pursuit of our grand ambitions. Just as you wish to pass on your dream, I too am resolute in seeing mine through to the end."

Dian Long, who also recognized Damien, found herself utterly astonished but managed to utter a few words, "That way of speaking... It's undoubtedly you. Despite the passage of time, you have not abandoned your resolve."

Damien chuckled, "Of course not! But first, let me attend to something."

Swoosh. Psscch.

In an instant, Damien swiftly turned to his left and, wielding his spear, slashed through the person beside him—Seath. The crowd stood in shock, unable to comprehend the unfolding events. Blood adorned the tip of Damien's spear, while Seath lay in a pool of his own crimson.

Finally, Damien spoke with a sinister smile, "Now, where were we?"