After Marcius's earnest explanation, there was a pause of silent in the room.
Marcius and the goddess were in a stare down. Although in Marcius's case, he was just looking at the emblem.
"Your words are… sincere." The goddess started, the insignia pulsing as she talked.
"You and Alexios may be different in many aspects, but you both have the same drive that will push you through all obstacles. And that is the guy I need right now. The kind of person who will drag this realm kicking and screaming into unification. As you have mentioned, a great storm is coming." She explained.
"Also, I can't really be picky. If I don't start preparing a champion right of this moment, the realm will be in trouble. So, I guess you will do."
The insignia moved in a way that reminded Marcius of a metaphorical shrug.
"In conclusion, yes, you pass the third test. Congratulation. Not only did you manage to pass the entire trial, I also decided to name you, my champion."
Marcius was of two minds at the moment.
Passing the test? Great. The rewards are juicy. He was even promised an additional reward from the Test of Strength.
Becoming the champion of the strongest goddess in Rubrum? Not so great. He wanted to lay low until he and his clan became considerably strong.
And the champion thing would bring too much attention on him. The kind of attention he couldn't yet afford.
"So, my champion, be prepared for the difficult road ahead."
The goddess's voice was laced with obvious amusement.
Yup. Not a big fan of the champion thing. Too much duties.
"Anyway, you pass the trial. Now it is time for the rewards. Follow me."
The insignia pulsed with a great light, and a section of the wall opposite to Marcius opened up into a tunnel.
The golden emblem floated into the newly made tunnel as Marcius followed.
*** *** ***
A few moments ago, outside of the Temple of Sol, within the premises of the illusion barrier.
Karla was sitting on the stone platform when she felt it. The power of her great goddess.
She sat up immediately with wide eyes.
She could feel the aura of Goddess Sol rolling off from the center of the temple.
"It can't be…" She whispered.
Amongst the goddess's overbearing aura, she could also feel two presences approaching the illusion barrier from behind her.
After a moment, the twin priestesses stopped behind her.
"It is really the goddess. The Goddess Sol has descended."
It was Sati who spoke in a revered voice, and Karla could perfectly understand why.
The Goddess Sol was their savior. Actually, the goddess was the savior of all helmeri race.
Back when magic was new and all helmeri were labeled as dark creatures by the cultivators, it was their goddess who protected them, gave them sanctuary and guided them.
So, all of helmeri greatly revered the Goddess Sol.
"To grab the attention of even the great goddess, the boy really has potential as village chief has mentioned." Atem also gave out her opinion.
"Yes. And due to the action of some fools back at the village, we might have already burned the bridge with a very strong potential ally."
Sati remarked, and Karla couldn't help but agreed. The action of some of the village members might really have cost them an alliance with the Aemilia heir.
"Well, let's just hope Marcius would be forgiving when we explain him the circumstances behind the appearance of the Archnide hive."
Karla said as she stared at the grey stones of the large temple.
*** *** ***
Marcius followed the emblem of the goddess into another room.
This room, however, was smaller than the last one. It was also brightly lit with numerous torches.
Marcius could see the same wooden totem at the center of the room again.
"Greetings from this humble servant, great goddess."
The totem stated as soon as Marcius and the goddess entered the room.
"I do not want to intrude upon your processions, but this servant has promised the Aemilia heir an additional reward for passing a special test."
The goddess let out a hum.
"Well, consider me impressed. You even managed to get the recognition of the temple guardian. Very well guardian, I will allow you to grant your reward. And you will also stay during later events." The goddess agreed.
"This servant thanks the great goddess."
A magic circle appeared in front of the wooden totem.
An object materialized within the circle; and as soon as the circle faded, the object floated towards Marcius.
It was a black stone the size of a child's fist. Numerous runes could be seen across the surface of the stone.
"It is a sword embryo. I can see you favor the sword during a fight. Within the embryo are sword intents created by me. Put the stone in contact with any sword, and both the embryo as well as the sword intents will be absorbed into the sword. Use it with care and it will aid you greatly in your battles to come." The totem explained.
"Now, it is my turn."
The goddess said as Marcius put the sword embryo away into storage ring.
"You are already a champion of an outer god. The god's intentions towards this realm however, I do not know. But I can feel that the god holds no malicious intent. So, I do hope the outer god doesn't mind sharing a champion with me."
The usual golden rays shined from the sun-like emblem, and a lot of the aura concentrated onto the back of Marcius's left hand.
After the aura dissipated, Marcius could see a sun tattoo on the back of his hand. It was large enough to cover the entire back of the hand.
"It is the Solas mark. It signified your status as my champion. Seeing you reside within the Solas Empire where my church largely dominates, I can tell it will help you a great deal. The mark will also allow you the usage of one of my seven sacred flames, the Judgement Flame." The goddess said.
'A champion, huh. I guess it is really happening. No point in refusing it.' Marcius thought as he observed the mark.
The emblem then floated towards the farthest corner of the room, a stone platform emerging below the golden symbol.
"Now, your second prize. It is actually the grand prize, and which I guess is the one you are aiming for in this trial." The goddess spoke as the small platform slowly came up.
"It should be granted last, but due to certain circumstances, I will be putting it up to the second order."
The stone platform stopped moving, and its top opened up to reveal a circular shaped object within it.
"Step forwards, Marcius Aemilia. Come and claim your grand reward. One of the most precious items in the realm, the first of its kind and the most powerful among them. The item created by me, the Goddess of Foresight, Knowledge, War and Victory."
Marcius slowly walked towards his reward.
"Claim the Original Soul Medium."
*** *** ***
Author Notes
Hello! MidnightMK here!
Tada! So, our protagonist was aiming for this all along.
And for those who are going to say why he rejected the first soul medium if he is just going to get another one, this is the original, the first ever created!
Marcius Aemilia will never settle for less, and why use the cheap knock off if he can just grab the original? Am I right?
Please leave comments and feedbacks. I really appreciate it.
Please enjoy the chapter! And please vote if you do!