183

Sword of Alexander

In a room within Akademi Academy, Clatrus sat, gently caressing the sword in his hand. This sword was none other than Forseti's iron blade infused with holy light.

During the previous battle, the power of the sword's holy light had proven invaluable, for which he was deeply grateful.

*Dong dong dong.* A knock sounded at the door.

Clatrus opened it to find Prince Alexander standing there, a smile lighting up his face. "I heard of your great victory and the defeat of Apocalypse."

Clatrus' smile was strained. "Yes, Your Highness."

"Well done! I had faith in your success!" exclaimed young Alexander before changing the subject. "The Battle of Ellefontaine is over. What of your sword?"

Pain flickered across Clatrus' face momentarily, but he handed over the iron sword to Alexander with respect. "This is the Sun God's Sword. It now belongs to you."

Alexander took the sword eagerly, unable to contain his excitement. Then, his expression turned thoughtful. "The Sun God's Sword? Forseti is the Sun God?"

"Yes, he incinerated Apocalypse, the false god, with his own hands. When he stood atop the pyramid, he shone like the sun descending from the heavens," Clatrus explained, his voice filled with admiration and longing.

Alexander's eyes gleamed. After a moment's contemplation, he said, "Clatrus, you've given me this sword. Tell me what you desire in return."

"This sword was originally bestowed upon me by His Majesty the King. I cannot accept anything in return," Clatrus insisted.

"You jest. My father and teachers have taught me otherwise," Alexander replied firmly. "Tell me, what can I grant you?"

"Well... whatever you choose to give is your grace," Clatrus finally relented.

"Let me think on it. Rest assured, I won't let you down," Alexander assured him before taking his leave with the sword.

Thus, the Sun God's Sword became Alexander's companion through a storied life, leaving behind a legendary tale that endured for millennia: Alexander cutting the Gordian Knot.

Of course, that tale would come later...

...

**Salvation is Complete**

*Exchangeable Spells: Light Devotion, Light Beacon, Holy Shock, Aura of Compassion, Dawn's Light, Wrath of Vengeance (Choose One)*

Forseti studied the texts and images on the Sacred Deed, his excitement giving way to deep contemplation.

Which fourth-tier spell should he choose?

Among them, Wrath of Vengeance was undoubtedly the most valuable—a signature spell of the paladin class, boasting explosive combat capabilities and stunning visual effects.

However, mastering Wrath of Vengeance was also among the most challenging tasks for any aspirant.

According to the Sacred Deed, one must possess a noble character, dedicated to justice, or possess a physique compatible with Holy Light. Otherwise, mastering it would be impossible, no matter the effort.

Forseti considered himself a good person, but committing entirely to justice was a step he wasn't ready to take.

Thus, his only path lay in attaining the Physique of Holy Light—an endeavor demanding prolonged exposure to Holy Light.

The duration varied by race and individual, likely spanning centuries for beings like the Aesir.

In other words, choosing Wrath of Vengeance might mean waiting centuries before wielding its power.

Besides Wrath of Vengeance, Forseti held a strong affinity for Holy Shock.

When combined with Holy Light infusion, Holy Shock detonated with breathtaking force, akin to an explosive art form.

Yet, selecting Holy Shock seemed wasteful. With villains as formidable as Apocalypse being rare finds, opportunities to deploy such power would be scarce.

Wrath of Vengeance and Holy Shock...

Forseti wrestled with the decision, ultimately gritting his teeth and selecting Holy Shock.

A crucial factor in this decision was the troubling news from Asgard.

No word had come from Ullr, suggesting a major event had unfolded in Asgard. Forseti suspected Odin's rebellion.

Early signs were evident—the Vanaheim tragedy had tarnished Cul's reputation while bolstering Odin's standing in the War.

Odin's coup would undoubtedly catalyze widespread changes across the cosmos. Future uncertainties necessitated acquiring an additional spell promptly.

With his decision made, Forseti commenced studying Holy Shock that very night.

*Buzzing.*

The next day at noon, a hungry little Shilut roused Forseti, eagerly eyeing him.

Having resided at Akademi College for a month, Shilut had exhausted the available campus gemstones.

Forseti produced a few gems, feeding them to Shilut before his arms fully regenerated. "Eat these for now. I'll search for stones outside this afternoon."

Shilut happily devoured the gems, prompting Forseti to take Khonshu's statue and seek out Agamotto.

Locating Agamotto, Forseti found the mage lost in contemplation near a corner of the academy, fixated on a motionless green plant as though it were a statue of deep thought.

Forseti waved his hand before Agamotto, who finally noticed him. "Oh, Forseti."

"What's troubling you?" Forseti inquired.

Agamotto reflected, "Well... I often dream of a green entity flying into my grasp."

He gestured toward the plant's leaves. "Its color resembles this."

"I initially linked it to Apocalypse, but the dream persisted even after his demise," Forseti remarked.

Forseti offered a reassuring smile. "It's likely just a dream."

"No." Agamotto shook his head. "Some of my dreams bear significance, manifesting for a reason."

After a pause, he changed the subject. "Did you come to me with a request?"

Forseti presented Khonshu's statue. "I need your expertise in crafting a soul statue. The demon statue has adverse effects on Khonshu and can't be used indefinitely."

Agamotto hesitated, rubbing his chin. "This... it's not straightforward."

"Why the difficulty? You're renowned as the foremost mage of the Brotherhood of the Shield and among humans," Forseti pressed.

"It's not the skill; it's the rarity of materials for a soul statue," Agamotto confessed, looking troubled.

"But your Brotherhood has a legacy of over two millennia. As the preeminent mage, surely you—" Khonshu's voice emanated from the statue. "I have no specific requirements at present, merely to be housed."

Agamotto coughed awkwardly. "Well, Forseti, as an Asgardian, you're... rather wealthy, correct?"