"Considering the ice queen's relations with the ice goddess, do you also know the location of the ice goddess?" Kenta inquired, curiously. Although the book he had received from Lize had gave him detailed information on the gods, there was nothing there about their current locations or dwelling. 'Just where did all of the god dwell?' Kenta was perplexed.
After hearing his sudden question Aurora fell silent for a long moment, before her lips parted, "Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of information. Perhaps mother, ahem, I mean, the ice queen might know that information, but I don't." Aurora replied. Kenta furrowed his brow when he heard that.
He was about to say something, when suddenly....
[There is a special island in the sky where all of the gods have resided since the creation of this world. That island is given the name 'divine island' by many over the hundred thousand of years it had existed.] Agni suddenly explained.
'Divine island? I always thought the gods all lived in a distant place called heaven.' Whenever one speaks of a god, heaven was always the first place that came to mind. The place that is said to be paradise. Although Kenta's belief was not particularly high, especially now that he had learnt the truth of their existence. He often heard his mother speak of it in the past.
[Heaven, huh.... The closest place to what you humans called heaven would be the upper world. That is where all the gods with the highest positions all lived.] Agni explained, his tone at the beginning was rather sentimental. However, at the end for some reason, his voice held a smear of undisguised distained.
'Is something wrong? You don't seem happy.' Kenta asked, noticing the discontent in Agni's voice, he tilted his head dubiously.
[Those gods all held immense pride, because they were true gods, who have comprehended multiple universal laws to completion, they believed they were the true monarchs of the universe.] Agni replied, with a sneer.
The god clans of the upper world were the beings who were born from each concept that fundamentally made up each aspect of the universe. For countless millennium, they were the ones who ruled and maintain order.
However, as many of them began to comprehend more concepts and gain more control over the heavenly laws, they began to look down on the gods who had failed to comprehend multiple concepts. Many of them felt a sense of satisfaction and superiority knowing that they were more special than some others.
It was at this point that the gods split into two different factions, the gods who had comprehended multiple universal concepts and the ones who hadn't. It could be said that this was the main reason why the gods rebelled against the true gods.
During the era of the god killer, many of those so-called true gods all perish due to their own arrogance, many of them truly believed they were peerless and anyone beneath them were not worth their time, much less efforts. However, the god killer and his hell hounds were truly formidable.
It was at this point that they realize there were beings that even they could not supress with their strength alone. Kenta didn't know anything from that era, he also didn't have Hendrix's memories either, so he could only tilt his head in puzzlement.
[Forget it, there is no point thinking about something that had happened so long ago.] Agni's voice resounded inside his head.
"Why do you wish to know the ice goddess's location, don't tell me you also want her blessing?" Aurora asked, her tone held a smear of curiosity. However, after comprehending the meaning behind her question Kenta raised an eyebrow.
"Me, with the ice goddess's blessings, while I am curious about her divine blessings, I'm not interested in receiving it. I just want to have a conversation with her." Kenta replied. Now that he could supress the aura of death, as long as he doesn't come into contact with a god who was sensitive to the aura of death, he should be fine.
He was also curious about Hendrix's relationship to the ice goddess. Giving his unstable emotions, he could easily guess their relationship was anything but good, 'What happened between Hendrix and the ice goddess?' He was unable to supress his curiosity. In that past, Hendrix had made many enemies with countless gods and goddesses. With his haughty and ruthless personality, his reputations among the gods were truly the worst.
"... I have an idea, why don't you become my partner?" Aurora suddenly suggested. When Aurora made that suggestion, several gasps resounded around the balcony from the many young women present.
"Y-Your partner?" Kenta blinked blankly back at her; confusion visible on his face.
"Yes, if you become my partner, then I will invite you to our next meeting with the ice goddess." Aurora's silver eyes shone as she explained. Kenta remained silent for a long while; his brow furrowed sternly.
"What do you mean by partner?" He questioned sharply.
"K-Kenta, there are several tournaments held here for each member of the temple to display their strength, there are tournaments where you don't have to have a partner but, there are also tag team competitions as well." Leo explained. The more battles won by the victor, the higher their rank in the temple of power increased.
"... I see. I'm curious, why me? Why would you want someone like me as your partner?"
"Hmm... I wonder, maybe it's because my instincts are telling me you would be the best partner for me."
"Oh, are you really going to believe your instinct so readily?"
"My instincts have never been wrong before, you know."
"But aren't you the ice princess, the daughter of the esteem ice queen? I am afraid someone like me is unworthy of being the partner of someone like your esteem self."
"Hehe... For someone as prideful as yourself, I'm surprised you would actually admit something like that so openly."
"Why don't you drop the pretence and tell me the real reason your so adamant about this." Kenta said bluntly.
"Hehe... How harsh of you." Aurora elegantly covered her mouth as she chuckled pleasantly.
The corners of Leo's lips twitches as he listens to the back-and-forth exchange between Kenta and Aurora. 'Th-These two are very similar.' He secretly thought. Rather than a formal discussion between two strangers, it was like he was looking at a comical banter between two close friends.
"Very well, I shall drop all pretences." Aurora said seriously, as she sipped her slightly warm tea to wet her throat before continuing. "... What kind of background do you have? I find it strange that you too have received the blessings of a god, I don't know any prominent clans or noble families, great clans or even ancient organizations with the last name Logan." Aurora's eyes sharpened as she questioned about his background.
As the daughter of the esteem ice queen, and the heir of the frozen icicle clan, Aurora had extensive knowledge on the most prominent clans and organizations well renowned across the world. She didn't even consider Kenta as an ordinary commoner for a second, for him to be born as an ordinary commoner and received the blessings of a god was simply ridiculous.
And thus, she suspected he must be someone of extraordinary origins.
"...." Kenta fell silent for a long while as he struggled to come up with an answer for her inquiries. He wasn't from any powerful background, instead Kenta was born as an ordinary commoner and lived a rather simple life before his parents' deaths. In fact, he held great resentment for those of powerful origins. When she saw that Kenta refused to explain the details of his origins, the light in those silver pupils flickered, who knew what she was thinking.
"Are there some kinds of special circumstances surrounding your past why you refused to disclose that information?" Aurora asked, curiously. She gently swipes the long fringes of her snow-white hair covering her eyes.
"Why does my background matter to you anyway? Princess, don't you think its rude to pry into matters that has nothing to do with you?" Kenta inquired, frowning. He subconsciously raised his guard.
"Perhaps, I'm just curious how you had also come into contact with a god or a goddess. I already told you my story, so it's only polite to tell me yours." She insisted. However, Kenta wasn't foolish enough to explain about the god of death. His blue eyes gleamed as he said. "I really can't say, at least, it would be rather inconvenient to me if I tell you."
"Is that so?" Aurora peered into his eyes closely to see through any deceit or falsehood, but ultimately heaved a tired sigh of resignation, "Fine. I shall yield for now; in any case I hope you would kindly accept my sincere offer of partnership." Aurora reclined on her seat as she picked up her teacup.
"Unfortunately, I like to work alone, I don't need to form any partnerships." Was Kenta's immediate answer. Although he was interested in meeting the ice goddess, he wasn't interested in becoming her partner. At that moment, the air seems to freeze. It wasn't just the air, the temperature also plummeted at a terrifying rate as the wind became chillingly cold.
[Amazing, her aura actually carries faint traces of the laws of ice and snow!] Agni exclaimed. He suspected it was most likely due to receiving the ice goddess's blessings. Although its might was vastly inferior to the laws of ice and snow used by the ice goddess herself, it was still very impressive.
Kenta furrowed his brow slightly, his tea was completely frozen, reduced to mere blocks of ice. "What a pity." He mumbled. At the same time, he shivered as cold wind whipped his body mercilessly. A small layer of frost was gradually covering his skin.
{Master, feel free to summon us at any moment.} Julia the silver-haired ghoul, who donned a maid attire quickly sent him a telepathic message for reassurance. They could all be summoned at any moment.
"Th-The temperature suddenly drop."
"This must be the divine blessing princess Aurora had received from the ice goddess!"
"Amazing, it's even stronger than I imagined!"
"Tsk, she can draw out this much strength without unsheathing her frozen lotus sword." Leo's body trembled as he endured the cold pressure gnawing at his body. In just a short moment, the entire balcony was covered in layers of ice and snow.
Everyone could feel their body stiffen as the cold air permeated the surroundings.
Rumble!
However, at this moment, the deafening sound of rumbling thunder resounded through the area. The once blue sky was dyed a shade of black, as thunder clouds filled the sky for roughly several kilometres. It was as if the god of thunder was raging furiously in the sky!
Kenta's gaze became cold as purple lightning flickered around his body, protecting him from the influence of the cold air. Ice and lightning clash, creating an independent space of two opposing elements. It was as if these two elements were the sole rulers of this space!
For a moment, there was only silence as Kenta and Aurora both gazed at the other, their magical energy surging chaotically. Leo's face stiffens as he was thrown into emotional turmoil. He was clueless, just what was he supposed to do in this situation?
After a while, Aurora's glossy, soft lips parted as she exhaled a deep sigh. Her chaotic energy gradually became calm like a tranquil sea. "Very well, why don't we make this more interesting? How about a duel between you and I?" Aurora suddenly said, leaving Kenta and the rest of the observers stunned.
"P-Princess, surely you jest?" Leo suddenly said, dumbfoundedly. He widened his golden eyes slightly as his round glasses almost fell from his face.
"I am being serious, you know? I really want him as my partner." Aurora said, she played with strands of her long snow-white hair in a rather board manner, before she continued.
"How about this, if you win this duel, then you may ask any one favour of me. If it is something within my power, then I will do it without question."
Hearing that, Kenta's ears perked up in interests. He gave Aurora a scrutinizing looks for a moment, as though to see through her intentions. Aurora's soft, glossy lips curved upwards slightly as she shifted her gaze to the endless sea of clouds drifting off in the far, distant sky.
"Kenta, I, Aurora Frost now issues a challenge. Are you bold enough to accept this challenge?" Aurora suddenly declared, staring straight into Kenta's blue eyes.
Leo's face froze for a moment, so far, no one has ever been able to defeat Aurora. Over the many years, she received countless challenge, but she remained the undefeated victor in every match. Even those with great background and those who were said to be peerless geniuses and favoured highly by their respective clans and families were not able to defeat her. Aurora was ranked second, only below Ezekiel.
It was said if they both were to clash, it was unknown who would be the victor.
The more battles were lost, the more points would be deducted from the loser. It was a system put in place to encourage the members of the temple of power to work harder and pursue greater strength. Those with the most points would be ranked at the top, and they would be favoured highly, the higher their ranks, the higher their chances of receiving the war goddess's acknowledgement for their efforts.
However, not many is brave enough to accept Aurora's challenge, after all, not many were willing to risk losing the points, they work so hard to gain after so much painstaking effort. Seeing Kenta remain frozen there, unable to react, many of the young women sneered, they all believed Kenta was too scared to accept the challenge.
After all, all tournaments could be viewed publicly. Any shameful defeat would be seen from the audience seating area. It would forever be a permanent stain to their name.
Kenta furrowed his brow slightly, even he was not expecting her to challenge him. He wasn't nervous or scared about Aurora's challenge, the reason for his silence was Arianna's message, he just received a telepathic message from her about Ables schemes. A smear of undisguised killing intent flash through his eyes. After a moment of consideration, his lips curled up into a faint smirk as he looked at Aurora.
"Very well, I shall accept." Kenta replied.
...
In the training grounds of the temple of power, a young woman endowed with alluring beauty stood there, she was dressed in a green gown with her long waist length brown hair swaying in the gentle wind. Jessica stared blankly at the dark clouds crackling with purple lightning that was gradually dispersing into the atmosphere sternly for a moment. "That boy, I hope he isn't getting into any trouble." Her beautiful blue eyes carried traces of concern as she exhaled a deep sigh.
The bestial sounds of roars echoed constantly through the area, as her beast clash consistently. A giant bear made from crimson flames clashed against a giant bird which resembles a black crow. With each collision of attacks, the ground rumbled fiercely as cracks appeared on the concrete floor. In terms of strength the flaming bear was unmatched in both offensive power and brute strength.
However, the black crow was also unmatched in terms of speed and agility. The flaming bear continued to strike using its flaming claws, but the black crow would use its swift, agile movements to evade its strike at the last moment, while dealing a devastating blow to the flaming bear's torso, using its large talons once an opportunity presented itself.
"... I still haven't fully awakened my flame bear's bloodline. Sigh, it's a shame finding the blood of an immortal phoenix is anything but simple." Jessica uttered to herself in disappointment. The immortal phoenix beast was legendary and ranked at the top. Many beast tamers had tried taming one, but so far, they all failed. It was believed high-ranked beast like the immortal phoenix was impossible to tame.
They were in the same category as dragons. Their scarcity and rarity made them almost impossible to find. She had actually searched the areas where they were spotted most frequently, but still failed to encounter one.
While she was pondering to herself, she had actually failed to notice a shadow was discreetly making its way towards her unnoticed. However, at the corner of the training grounds there was a large white, two tailed wolf like beast sleeping there.
As though sensing something, its nose twitch as it slowly opened its large blue eyes. The shadow continued on its path unhurriedly, stealthily making its way towards Jessica.
Swish!
However, the white two tailed wolf suddenly leapt, it attacked the shadow with an icy breath!
The shadow moved swiftly, easily evading the sudden attack by veering to the side unhurriedly. The white, two tailed wolves glared at the shadow viciously as its blue eyes narrowed. Jessica also notices something was off as she stared at the area the two tailed wolf was glaring. "Is there someone there? I highly recommend you show yourself now, otherwise... I'll have no choice but to consider you an enemy." Jessica declared, her beautiful voice was cold and emotionless, but it also carries traces of seriousness.
The two tailed wolves soft, shiny white fur stood on end as it growled at the empty space. She gently petted the head of the two tailed wolf to calm it down as she observed her surroundings cautiously. The two tailed wolves were beast with a sharp sense of smell. If they were picking up on an unfamiliar scent, there was no mistaking that someone else was here.
'Strange, I actually can't sense any oddity in the area. Could It be the work of a skilled assassin?' Jessica pondered various possibilities, but with her lack of information she had failed to draw any conclusions.
Someone had actually gotten close to her without her noticing, which left her both curious and stern. Although the world was vast, there shouldn't be that many people capable of achieving such a feat. Whomever it was, was probably no weaker than she was.
After a long moment, there was a wide deformed smile on the shadow as two piercingly cold crimson eyes opened up. The shadow soon began to undulate, Jessica narrowed her eyes slightly and knitted her brow as she noticed the shadow.
Soon, the silhouette of a woman became visible. The woman seems to be in her early twenties. She was beautiful. Her most striking features were her long jet-black hair with red strands. Her eyes were crimson, and her snow-white skin was as pale as ghosts. Her seductive body seem to merge with the shadows around her.
Jessica observed her for a while as she raised her vigilance, the woman with long blackish red hair didn't seem to be a member of the temple of power, this, she was certain of. 'Well, I don't feel any hostility from her, at least.' She thought inwardly. Arianna concealed her presence and wave her hand. Following that gesture, an invisible dome shaped barrier surrounded the entire training ground, preventing anyone from getting close.
Jessica frowned as she observed the barrier. "Th-This is... Advanced barrier magic?" She was shocked. She quickly deduced it was a barrier with the effect to block all sound, making their conversation impossible to be overheard by others. To be able to cast such a spell in practically no time at all would require a considerable amount of magic control. Arianna also didn't need an incantation, which showed how skilled her level of magic control was.
Jessica stared at her for a moment before asking hesitantly, "Do I know you? Why were you hiding?" Arianna's expression was devoid of any emotion as she replied. "I came here to deliver a message on behalf of my master."
"Your master, who is your master?" Jessica furrowed her brow uneasily. The woman hadn't done anything and yet, she actually felt threated. If they were to come to blows, she didn't think she could win unless she used her strongest beast which left her shock.
The flame bear and the black crow both got into a position where they could ensure Jessica's safety. At the same time, they glared at Arianna cautiously with their large reptilian eyes. They both subconsciously released an oppressive, monstrous pressure. The pressure alone could easily make one feel intimidated by their presence. However, Arianna was unfazed as she stood there calmly.
"You'll know once you feel this aura." Arianna replied, emotionlessly, conjuring up the aura of death. The moment the presence of the aura of death appeared, the flame bear and the black crow both felt unprecedented danger. Their pupils shrunk to the smallest possible size as they retreated instinctively. The two tailed wolf also shrunk back in fear, almost as though it was standing before a powerful predator.
"Th-This presence! K-Kenta!" Jessica exclaimed; she was left wide eyed. The oppressive presence of death emanating from the woman was identical to the presence she felt from Kenta.
"That's right, my master would like to speak to you." Arianna explained indifferently.