It took one week for Caelus to fulfill the expansion of Sanctuary's core. In that one week, he succeeded in gaining Tier 2 Mana Harvesting.
And of course, he just didn't settle for that.
Because he had a lot of time in hand while doing the expansion, he tried to integrate Qi, Energy and Mana creating his own source of Energy that linked the three.
It would have taken him longer to expand Sanctuary's core if not for his discovery. He just took some time to sleep, bathroom break and eat, the rest was used to practice the new Qi Mana Energy that only he can use.
However, when Sanctuary sent him out to the surface he was greeted by someone else.
"Greetings, owner of Sanctuary Shelter." The tall man with semi-bald hair and mustache was smiling while he stood there. His hands were in his pockets as if he had leisure time waiting for him.
Caelus frowned as he assumed a defensive position amidst the weakness he was experiencing. He didn't know if it had to do with him overexerting his Qi, Mana and Energy or if it was something that the Teleportation did. He just knew that he was too weak to defend himself at the moment.
"Sanctuary, send distress signals to the Founders. I can't fight at the moment. I don't know why, but my skills are also acting strange after I've practiced the new source I've created. I'm defenseless right now."
[I understand. I've sent the distress signal and Gouki will arrive first in five minutes.]
"Thank you."
"What are you muttering there? We mean no harm at all. We just wanted to talk."
"If you wanted to talk, you should've made an appointment." He smirked. He instantly remembered that this was one of the guys that had been a headache to the founders.
"What can I do? You have strong bodyguards around you. We can't even talk if they are there."
"What do you want?"
"Would you just come with us? We are not your enemy." He grinned.
For him it was an evil grin. *Come with your ass. No way. I don't even trust you.* Is what he wanted to say but his mouth uttered another thing. "Okay."
*What? Is it mind control? Then all of the things happening makes sense. Memories! Damn. even my Memories are not working? Did I mess up big time?*
He frowned but he didn't panic.
*Should I just come and unroot everyone that does this? Sanctuary could save me anytime since this is her jurisdiction. No one can really hurt me here.*
Aside from that, there was a seething anger burning inside him. It was an anger that he knew incited the forgotten memories of Caelus. The inner demon he had was slowly waking up.
Caelus hated being controlled. He even hated his fate, what more of the people who would try to control him?
*Should I let loose my inner demon? I know I haven't killed anyone in Sho's body. But after establishing my Mantra, I know this guy deserves death.*
The more he thought of that, the more his emotions settled. There was no more turmoil inside him. He knew what he needed to do.
*It's time for everyone to stop thinking I'm just a kid being protected. I should stop burdening people I'm starting to care about and attached to. It is time I do my part. It is time to stop hiding behind the strong people just to be protected. I need to stand on my own*
With that resolve, he felt a line in him got cut off. It was the mental control skill that attached to him.
"Enough games." He uttered. His voice was dangerous as the emotions in his eyes vanished. His eyes were very similar to Caelus' that had taken thousands or billions of lives. Even without seeing himself, he knew he was exuding bloodlust that was impossible to find in an eighteen year old kid.
His eyes were sharp even when void with emotions. It was as if he could harvest any life he wanted when he wanted it.
It was no wonder the guy in front of him started to quiver uncontrollably.
"W-what… h-how…"
"Tell me, is it fun to control people? You really had the gall to control people in the sanctuary I created for humanity. Don't you feel ashamed?"
"H-haha… I thought h-he was wrong. But you really are special."
He frowned. What the tall man said was something Caelus didn't expect. "Who is he?" *Didn't this guy incited all of the incident? There was someone above him? How many people planned this?*
"Come with me if you want to know."
Caelus' frown vanished as he inhaled and started to circulate his Qi breathing technique. Although it was in weakened form, it was enough to activate his Qi Sight for a second. "Who are you? Why do you reek of Wandering Soul?"
"Haha! You know nothing! Keep on living in your sheltered sanctuary and regret dying knowing nothing!"
Caelus grit his teeth as he felt familiarity with the guy. He wanted to inspect him more but he was still in his weakened state.
*Qi Soul Attack!*
It was a good thing that he learned to ferry souls. While he was doing so, he discovered a new technique to attack Souls. He was not sure if it would work on humans, but still, he did try. In his theory, it should work since all living beings have their own souls.
"Ahhh! W-what did you do?! Shit! I'm out of here!"
*That was not enough to weaken him? Either I'm too weak or Qi Soul Attack is not very effective to humans compared to using it to Wandering Souls.*
"Sanctuary, don't let him go! I want to know why he's so similar to the people of the Savior Gang… and Wandering Souls."
He couldn't explain it. He just felt that the familiarity he felt was the same as Ros'Lous or Es'Ever. Aside from that, the feeling of Wandering Souls was strong and peculiar. And since he had just had a lot of experience with the presence of Wandering Souls, he knew he could not be wrong.
He also couldn't say for certain which one was the source of familiarity. Was it just one or both? So he had to capture this guy no matter what.
"Hah. Fun time is over, huh? Well, I'll go with a bang." the guy grinned before Sho felt a sense of crisis.
"Enclose him Sanctuary! He's going to self-destruct!"
He immediately stopped chasing after the guy and backed off trying to find cover. Not even five seconds has passed, the guy self-destructed just the way Ros'Lous did.
"What…"
"... the hell?"
It was Gouki who arrived at the scene.
Caelus' jaw dropped.
Not really sure if it was because of the self-destruction or because Gouki already arrived.
It has not been five minutes. Yet the guy is already there.