Aavesh controlled his emotions and merely gazed at the Duo before him sharply.
Sensing this Corvus and Jiu Ming turned around and stared back at Aavesh with a slight hint of surprise in their gaze.
Corvus asked curiously,"You know ?"
"Enough to know that if this ever gets leaked, A Sector Annihilation Order will fall upon us- Rathiel will become History then", Aavesh crossed his arms and spoke sharply.
"You don't need to worry about this, if someone finds out the necessary Plans have been put in place"
The Monitor next to the Neuro SIM Set Up lit up with such words- The Brain within the Tank vibrated softly as it let out an immense burst of Mental Energy.
Aavesh and the others became silent for a moment as they observed this.
"Suprised? That I can still communicate despite being stuck in this Tank? That I have not still lost my sanity yet? That's just because of who I am", The Monitor lit up again...
"I am Victor Manek and I chose this! So- you are the next candidate? A Child- How far we have all fallen...", The Monitor lit up again and a painful old voice spoke through the Audio Connectors.
'Manek? As in Sam Manek? This person is a relative of Sam Manek?!', Aavesh internally realised that the identity of the Brain before him was not ordinary at all.
'Manek'- He also remembered Sam Manek wanting to contact him and that Sam Manek also knew about Master Mirror.
He curbed these thoughts as He saw Jiu Ming Speak up.
"You have to make a Pivotal Choice- Recieve the Neuro SIM inheritance or Enter the N7 Testing Labs for Wraith Training- Only one choice is permitted- No Choice means death, failing in with also means Death", Jiu Ming explained Coldly.
Corvus then jutted in and explained the Neuro SIM option,
"Victor Manek is the Best Wraith Knight and his experiences are extremely valuable- Should you do a Neuro SIM with him, Your Cultivation as an energy warrior or Mental Warrior or Body Warrior will be extremely fast! You will receive a Rare insight into a Special Hidden Class and even learn Victor's Secret Techniques!- you will be virtually unchallenged in the Outer Rings but you will never go Beyond the Foundation Stages..."
Corvus Paused, expecting Aavesh to reply.
Aavesh gave Corvus a clear gaze and calmly replied," No"
"Then You will wear this Test Watch and enter the N7 Testing Labs, Your Objective - is to find and initiate a security Reset - Following that you will immediately face the Trial of the Ten Tyrants- ",Corvus sighed and replied with a dim voice, But Jiu Ming immediately interrupted Coldly and spoke to Aavesh with a commanding Tone,
" The Test Watch contains the key to advanced Prototype battle suit Tech and it is directly connected to a A Network managed by Commander Victor Manek - You will wear the Battle Suit and use the Suit Interface to access the network, We kill keep track of your Kills and every kill will earn Survival Points- Which you can use to Buy Supplies, Tools and Wraith Knight Techniques to learn them- Be warned You will not be allowed to use any Technique that has not been purchased through Survival Points! Do that and I will press the self destruct Code for the suit- Your every move will be monitored by us..."
Corvus then opened a Chest, next to the monitor -containing a sophisticated black watch with a grim red UI.
Corvus sighed with his containing Pity and spoke,
"Lock on E7Z9"
The Watch let out an ominous sound and levitated towards Aavesh with immediate effect.
*BEEP
It then immediately wrapped itself around his Left Hand and pierced Aavesh's Flesh causing him to flinch a little.
Aavesh remained calm and subconsciously reminded himself that his Soul Constitution powers were gone- Naturally his reaction speed and awareness were reduced back to his level which absolutely nothing in front of Corvus and Jiu Ming.
Jiu Ming pressed his Palm on the Monitor and a nearby Glass Hatch opened- with mist dispersing outwards.
*Shua
A Thinly Plated white Space Suit lay in.
Aavesh sensed some kind of complex Rune work in-layed within the layers but couldn't find out how it helped with the suit.
He was still an amateur at Runes even though he had an astounding talent but without knowledge and experience, he was but a Noob.
"Break Through to Mythic Rank 1 Before proceeding- Go now", Corvus intervened suddenly much to Jiu Ming's displeasure.
Corvus directed Aavesh to an isolation chamber nearby to make his breakthrough.
Aavesh gazed at the conflicted eyes within Corvus and sighed internally.
Corvus - why was he so invested in his survival after all that?
Is it related to the 'Mission' which Corvus spoke off?
.
He couldn't think much about it now.
*Latch
The Doors of the Chamber closed as Corvus left.
Aavesh sat down in the Lotus position and began to meditate.
He took deep breaths as he calmed his mind and focused on his Mythic Powers.
Mythic Rank 1- This was the level when the Mythic Powers would become substantial now- meaning he would have permanent forms of his Mythic Power and his Body would get the 'Gift'.
It was the Rank where one would unlock the Base Abilities of their Mythic Powers and a Unique 'Gift' .
The Method of Breakthrough was relatively simple- In his case - his Body, Soul and Energy had to be at the Max of Stage 0!
Only then would he evolve as a lifeform and start to cultivate to the next stage.
But why was this such a hard set requirement? This was because of something known as the Spirit!
Depending upon the Person's Unlocked Dantian - They would form a Spiritual Construct that would then be tied to that Specific Dantian.
The Spirit was usually created when a Person was born- it was Special Fusion Construct when the Soul, Body and Energy came into Contact for the First Time.
The Spirit in essence represented the Current- Present Life being experienced by the Soul - thereby letting a Person control their own spirit mentally- It's shape created by the body and it's Base Attributes formed by the inner Energy.
The Spirit was a special existence that when fused with the Mythic Essence of a Mythic Power, it would help form the Physical Structure of the Mythic Power in reality- This process would then Break all the respective Mental, Genetic and Qi Energy limits- allowing the Cultivator to Enter Stage 1.0!
This of course depended upon the Dantians opened by the Cultivator.
Each Dantian opened up would create a deeper link between the Fragile and Untrained Spirit with that Specific Power.
The Spirit of an Upper Dantian Cultivator can only be trained by Meditation at Stage 0 so that it can withstand Fusing of Mythic Essence.
Plus as long as the Cultivator reached the Absolute Limit- then their spirit would have a Greater chance of surviving the Fusion!
And Once Mythic Power reached Rank 1- Then even a Hundred Rank 0 Cultivators could only stand helplessly before the Rank 1 Cultivator!
Such was a Difference in Levels!
But This was not an easy process at all!
The Spirit was inherently fragile and training it required one to fully focus on Stage 0 - Training carefully without harming their Foundations...
Only then would their Spirit Be capable enough for the Rank 1 Upgrade.
Many young prospects were forcibly stopped at this step because they had not been able to cultivate to the limit.
Of Course- Having a Special Constitution, Physique or Bloodline would simplify the process - But such things were rare.
Aavesh's case was a bit more complex due to his special Cultivation Technique .
He closed his eyes and Focused on the feeling of the limit which he had reached in all the required Aspects.
He then felt the Excess Mythic Essence stored in him- waiting for his command to start the Breakthrough and Give a Proper Physical Form for his Mythic Powers.
*BANG
He released it as he felt his limits shake heavily - He was now used to the Extreme Pain that came with the Breakthrough- Aavesh smiled as he braced for what came next.
*Hissss
His Eyes suddenly Burned as the Aeon Mythic Power within them began to take a Proper Shape.
*Boom
His Shadow began to fluctuate as his skin turned pale - like his very Existence would be erased if he failed! His Legend Mythic Power was taking Physical Form as well!
Not only was Aavesh's spirit was trained using 3 Dantians - which had already increased the difficulty level to the maximum, He was also breaking through with Dual Mythic Powers, increasing the difficulty to levels of insanity.
If other Energy Warriors or Body Forgers or Mental Cultivators saw this- their Jaws would drop at the very sight of Aavesh's Breakthrough!
Did Aavesh care about such difficulty and complain? No- Aavesh was calm regarding this and had already accepted the fact that his path of Power was different from everything else! And he would walk it to the Fullest without complaints!
His Breakthrough was not for normal people - No even those Prideful Geniuses and Heavenly Gifted Talents would undoubtedly die under the sheer Pain of this Breakthrough!
As his Stored Mythic Essences Simultaneously fused in with his Spirit - The Seeds within his Three Dantians suddenly began to Revolve and spread a familiar invisible energy - Cosmic Force across his Body to help with the Mythic Rank Up Process.
Aavesh's heart felt a Powerful strength emerge from within as he suddenly remembered the Invincible Heart Sutra That his Deceased Master Perseus imparted to him.
The Divine Rune which had been silently guarding and nurturing his Soul lit up and infused Incredible amounts of Vitality as Aavesh Cultivated the Invincible Heart Sutra.
With the Combined Effort of his Dantian Seeds and Perseus's Divine Rune- Aavesh was able to endure the Ranking Up Process.
*Kacha
Rings of Golden Light Formed around Aavesh as he brought something New and Something Forgotten Back to the Universe.
From His Left Eye - A first sized Mini Blackhole Orb shot out and from his Right Eye a fist sized Mini Whitehole Orb Shot out as well at the same time.
They then rotated in a perfect symmetric arc around Aavesh.
These were Orbs of Duality, Harbingers of Order and Judgement - This was the Physical Manifestation of his Renegade Aeon Mythic Power!
At the Same Time, Aavesh's Shadow suddenly gained two steel Silver Eyes and a strange liveliness to it along with an aura of hidden strength.
This was the Shadow of the Legend, A Power born from within, Beholden to none but self!
Limits across his Soul, Body and Qi Snapped open!
He was almost about to breakthrough to Stage 1.0 naturally when he noticed something strange within himself.
Aavesh felt a sense of loss- like he had not yet reached the maximum Potential of Stage 0- What was this?
He distinctly remembered that he had reached the peak of what one could achieve in stage 0 and he shouldn't be able to improve his Stage 0 levels anymore...
No one had ever been able to improve their previous levels after A Mythic Rank Up, One could only slightly improve certain aspects using pills but the improvement would be very minute and extremely futile.l
So what had happened now?
Aavesh suddenly facepalmed himself as he realised that he must first communicate with his Mythic Powers after their Rank Up- He had after all recieved the 'Gift' now.
This anomaly definitely had to do with his Mythic Powers Ranking Up!
Aavesh closed his Eyes and entered a meditative state as he communicated with his Mythic Powers.
A few moments later, he took a mouthful of breath as his breathing had quickened substantially - There was disbelief and excitement at the same time on his face!
His Renegade Aeon Mythic Power's Gift was an incredibly rare Passive Skill called- Force Absolute Reality, which dispelled any buffs on surrounding enemies that were close or a step above his actual strength.
The Active Skill he received was Enforcing Gaze- With the option to either have Attack of Opportunity Gaze or Gaze of Judgement which required him to learn Judgement Based Spells- But this would let him use Judgements abilities simultaneously upon his designated allies.
Apart from that the Aura of Law had become stronger around Aavesh.
His Legend Mythic Power's Gift on the other hand was the true Reason of the Anomaly he had encountered!
The Legend Mythic Power's Passive Skill was called 'Legendary State' - This Skill - it let him cultivate the Legendary Levels of Each Stage!
It was like cultivating the same stage Twice but not really - because after he understood this Passive Skill, he knew that Cultivating the Legendary Versions of Each Cultivation Stage would definitely not Result in simple enhancements- The Real effect should be Monstrous!
His Bestowed Active Skill was something strange - called 'Infusion'- He could now fully infuse his Legend Mythic Power without the Whole reaching within and painful process- He could now do it easily.
This was the First Passive and Active Skills he received from his Mythic Powers.
Aavesh smiled as he stood up- He definitely wanted to cultivate the Legendary Stage Before going to Stage 1.
He now left the Isolation chamber with his Mythic Powers on full display -
Everyone could now see the Abnormal Duality Orbs floating around him and that strange Shadow of his which almost seemed alive and it was as if the Shadow was staring back at them.
Corvus appeared before Aavesh with Jiu Ming in tow, both having serious Expressions as they analysed Aavesh's Mythic Power's Physical Manifestation.
"You have the Orbs of Duality but they seem slightly different from what is in the Codex- Usually Orbs of Light and Darkness are the Norm but yours- is A Black Hole and a White Hole along with that Strange Shadow- But all of them emit Law Energy and are by Default Machinan Mythic Powers - albeit Mutated in your case- Anyways we are curious to see why you didn't upgrade to Stage 1.0 immediately... It would have increased your chances of Survival", Corvus sighed as he critically analysed Aavesh's changes.
"Hmmph! Wear the Suit and enter the N7 Testing Labs immediately Candidate E7Z9", Jiu Ming interrupted Coldly.
Aavesh merely smiled calmly at this and Walked towards the white battle suit without refuting Jiu Ming.
He Placed his Watch on the White Armor and the Armor Resized itself to fit Aavesh's body shape.
Aavesh wore the Armor and then stood before the duo, waiting for the next order.
But as he waited, He could not help but glance briefly at the Glass Tank again but this Time he noticed something that gave him a chill.
He saw a Tiny Glowing Rune with his Renegade Aeon Mythic Power - It was the rune that belonged to a Very Dark God- A God that Enjoyed suffering and Pain of others - A God that Belonged unquestionably to Kayamaat - His Name was Erimos.
Deals with Erimos and his Church always ended badly for the other Party.
It often involved a degree of suffering, Pain and despair to be subjected to the Ones asking for the deal.
Aavesh didn't speak anything further - He could not mess with Erimos now nor did he have any reason to.
Erimos was also one of the Seven Dark Assassin Gods that controlled Most of the Assassin Guilds directly or indirectly in the Material Plane.
Aavesh did not have a death wish to become a new Target than what he already was.
Whatever Fucked Up Deal Rathiel or Victor Manek had signed on- was something he didn't need to intervene in neither did he have the prerequisite Strength.
He calmed his expressions and silently waited for the Duo before him.
Jiu Ming and Corvus then led him further into the Restricted facility.
They then stopped before a Glass Gate which was filled with Bloodstains and pieces of ripped apart flesh lay scattered - It was a deadly visual impact to Normal Rookies but it was just a Tuesday for Aavesh.
He was pretty much used to these kinds of Horrific Scenes and did not flinch at the sight- Rather his brain went into Analysis Mode to deduce the Bloody Scene before him.
"Enter and find the Reset Systems - Your Map will be activated as you cross the Phase 1 Entry Tunnel - We have given you an S Grade access facility within the N7 Testing Labs, So you can open doors, access systems and use whatever you want to get the Job Done", Jiu Ming spoke as he pressed his Palm on the Biometric Lock on the side.
"You have a Time limit of 30 Days- Anything longer than that- I will activate the Swarm Signals within the Testing Facility - You understand what I mean right?", Jiu Ming Coldly smiled at Aavesh.
Aavesh nodded silently at this.
The Bloody Glass Doors Opened before them leading to N7 Testing Labs.
*SLAM
Aavesh entered and the Glass Doors shut behind him immediately.
Aavesh then calmly began to examine the Bloody Scenes within the Tunnel.
Jiu Ming Coldly gazed on as Corvus Suddenly spoke, " Taking your anger on my Candidate will not bring your Nephew Back"
"Oh? You insinuate such ridiculous notions Corvus- The Less People know about the N7 Labs the better, Don't equate my Treatment of others to revenge - I will Kill as much as needed to keep the secret", Jiu Ming replied with a sneer.
" Even Children?", Corvus asked back sharply causing Jiu Ming to slightly Frown.
" Don't you dare put that on me- You are the one who Killed thousands of Kids!", Jiu Ming Roared back.
"I did but atleast I warned them what they would face! I gave them a choice and I wasn't out To Actively Kill Them!", Corvus spoke back even more fiercely.
*Clench
Jiu Ming suddenly grabbed Corvus's Neck and almost Choked him as he spoke threateningly, " Corvus- Don't test my Patience - I don't care about your Feelings or if you see your Own Son in that Little shit Aavesh- Do not think that I do not know that Sabine's Mental State has significantly improved upon the Meeting those Runts! You are Pathetically Selfish and Want to Get Back Your Sabine or atleast a remnant of her! If you ask me - You are the one whose brought upon his Personal Baggage onto the Product- It's not my Fault that you and Sabine lost your Children to the Enemy but Sabine's Death will definitely be My Fault! I will rip her limb from Limb-!"
*Snikk
Corvus with an enraged glint directly Pierced Jiu Ming's Left Eye with his Free hand and spoke out with a grim tone as Jiu Ming's grip loosened," Insult her again and You will lose your Eye Permanently - I know how to render those regenerative Treatments to uselessness! Jiu Ming if you think I am just a Random Pushover- Think Again with your Little Brains- I will not care for Rank or Authority if you Push me too Far! You think I can't track down your sister? She's already lost a son - might as well lose the other one before I send her to hell Personally! I already know which planet she is on! If you fuck with me I will not hesitate Bitch! If you think I can't kill you because of my oath- I WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE WORSE THAN DEATH!"
"Corvus- Just stop acting childishly with a child- Give him a small lesson - I will reduce the Penalties this one time ", Victor Manek suddenly spoke out causing Jiu Ming to be slightly surprised at this.
To his horror - He suddenly realised Corvus's Power levels had increased to a dangerous degree and Jiu Ming gaped in shock as he finally realised that Corvus was not at all threatened by him!
Corvus then ripped out Jiu Ming's Left eye with a bloody hand - causing Jiu Ming to scream and release him.
*STOMP
He then held Jiu Ming's neck and forced him to see as threw the Bloodied Eye Ball down and Stomped on it forcefully.
*Splat
Corvus then tore a layer from Jiu Ming's Combat Suit and began to casually wipe his hands as he then spoke in an emotionless tone,
"I tried to reason with you with words but you didn't understand- Jiu Ming I can butcher you very easily - I didn't do anything for a while because of the Penalties but you crossed line to make me think less of the Penalties - I will pay my dues anyway now"
He then walked away calmly as Jiu Ming stared down at the bloody mess in terror - He had read Corvus's files and history - Corvus shouldn't even be that strong!
But Corvus was terrifying.
Just what kind of a Monster was Corvus? why did he have to go and Provoke him ?
Jiu Ming deeply regretted now- Alas his regret couldn't bring his Eye back.