"So, what have we here?" I murmured, about to embark on the task of comprehending the results of my ritual of self-discovery.
Gadzooks! Who would have thought that consuming Dracula's heart would yield such extraordinary results? My magical acumen has undergone a remarkable enhancement, placing me just ten percent shy of attaining the eighth octane of power, which would make me a High Mage. With a slight further advance, I could ascend to the ninth octane, becoming a True God of Magic — not an incarnated one, but a deity who has achieved divine status through their own intellect and strength.
Moreover, my mental body has undergone significant growth. Previously, my gift, combining the basilisk's ability to pierce through others' minds with the kitsune's mastery of material illusions, had made me a formidable and skilled Magister in this realm. Now, I find myself a fledgling Archimage in the realm of mental magic.
But that was not the most surprising discovery. I acquired a second psychic shell overnight, which was as powerful as the strongest yoga archimages. While Salazar was still in Persia, he was honoured with an invitation to a reception at the palace of the king. The king and his entourage, including Salazar's father, received an ambassadorship from India, led by the archimagus Yogi.
Salazar was intimidated when he first laid eyes on Yogi, but at the same time he remembered what he had to strive for. I now possess the gift of blood magic, which was also possessed by Vlad. This gift is closely tied to my first three psychic shells, as they are in close contact with each other. It is reflected in the shell responsible for prana in the second psychic shell, and in the astral and physical bodies, incarnating in my heart. Of course, there is some connection with all other shells as well, otherwise I would not be able to consciously control this power and reach the mental realm.
And all other shells grew to a slight extent. Both in terms of their reserve capacity and in terms of structural complexity.
Another notable development was a marked increase in my affinity with the Light. My connection with darkness remains unchanged. This is due to the fact that I spent more than an hour acting as a conduit between the Throne of Heaven and Earth, allowing grace to flow through my being.
So, it is not surprising that my time spent channeling the sacred power used to vanquish Dracula left a lasting impression. It was an intense experience, but one that was undoubtedly worthwhile.
These are the findings of my self-analysis. As for Dracula's soul itself — it is now within me, and I was correct in my assumptions: he turned out to be an entity of divine origin. In the course of our confrontation, I was unable to discern all the intricacies of Vlad's essence. After all, his secondary manifestation, the blazing Supernova, significantly obscured and distorted the image in my spiritual perception. However, prana holds the highest degree of authenticity among all the energies generated by the soul, and it stands out prominently against the backdrop of the others.
There is, of course, an even more vibrant form of energy — vital energy. Nonetheless, it represents a harmonious interplay of up to four distinct energies, with prana taking precedence. Additionally, astral, mental, and sensual spiritual energies are also present.
The final note in this symphony is the acquisition of an utterly unique artifact of divine stature. It is bound solely to me, subject only to my command, yet it has not diminished but rather augmented its rights to manipulate and govern the energy emanating from the egregore of faith in the All-One. How curious. Why should the chain of Saint George, which formed one of the components of my new battlechain, continue to possess access to the Ba-Hyon of the Pantheon of the All-Father? After finally casting off the constraints of Christianity and all other interpretations of belief in the All-God, it has further enhanced its power of governance and expanded its access rights. Most peculiar! I cannot discern any obvious rationale for this. I shall ponder this matter later and seek to unravel its mysteries.
My two chains have merged into one, capable of expanding to nearly any size. When I inquired mentally as to its capacity, I received the reply: "As great as I deem necessary, so shall it grow!" Aha!
With regard to its appearance, the anti-demonic chain previously had a blood-black color and only sharp edges. George's chain, on the other hand, was radiant silver with long sharp spikes resembling the branches of a blackthorn or acacia tree.
My chain now has a titanium color with a hint of red, and it retains both thorns and sharp edges inherited from its ancestors. Unexpectedly, it also possesses a soul. If I regularly feed it with the blood of powerful creatures over the course of three to five centuries, it will develop a full consciousness and mind.
Previously, both chains possessed only a pseudo-consciousness. The anti-daemon chain relied on a runic code responsible for behavioral reactions and command execution. George's chain relied on fragments of the sensual spirit and mental body of its former owner, upon whom it acquired its "name." These fragments were imprinted during the spontaneous creation of this divine artifact.. But neither that nor the other can be compared to the state of my chain now. Our bond with it is akin to that of a master and his familiar. I no longer need to worry about its loyalty: my will always precedes its own.
All would be well, were it not for one thing… though there is a way to look at it. It has been one hundred and fifteen years since I have been in my sanctuary. The year is 1698. On one hand, this fact saddens me. But on the other, this time I was there for a reason. I have significantly enhanced my strength and replenished another divine soul within the confines of my staff. Simultaneously, I acquired a chain that is utterly faithful to itself and, in potential, can become an even more formidable weapon and aiding force in my magical endeavours than my Archimage staff itself.
Indeed! And now the Statute of Secrecy must be enacted, and an international conference of wizards convened. Ah, I have missed so much, but what is done is done, and there is no use in regretting it. There is no going back, and I would not have it any other way.
As I surveyed my surroundings, I became aware of the need to align my appearance with the times. I had never before donned anything ostentatious or opulent, nor had I ever worn stockings, square-toed shoes, or gowns. And now, it would seem, wigs were in vogue in Europe, along with copious amounts of face powder, in the dark!
However, I remained unconcerned with contemporary fashion trends, as my attire remained unchanged. I continued to dress in a manner that was practical, discreet, and unstained.
Summoning my patronus, I dispatched it to Alfonso, eager to ascertain his availability and willingness to meet. The response was immediate, and in mere moments, I found myself enveloped in my brother's embrace within his portal chamber, having just arrived.
After a warm greeting, a barrage of questions assailed me:
"Tell me, tell me everything!" Alfonso exclaimed, jumping up and down in front of me with excitement. "I managed to find the memories of one of the witnesses to your encounter with Dracula in Vienna. Unfortunately, what I saw was rather unclear. If you were there, you would have killed him. Come on, I'm waiting for details!"
His behavior was comical. When he was acting like this, he looked like an elderly man, which was funny and endearing. But now, at the age of early thirties, it seemed ridiculous and peculiar.
"My friend, let's keep it simple, like we always do. I'll send you the memories of that day and you can review them in the dummosbros."
As I looked at Alfonso through the spiritual vision, I was pleasantly surprised. He was progressing much faster than before. At this rate, he could become an Archmage in fifty to seventy years, which made me happy. Having an Archmage who always comes to your aid is invaluable.
Alfonso spent over three hours reviewing his memories, repeatedly revisiting almost every piece of footage from those century-old events. We then moved to the small sitting room, where we sipped twenty-year-old Scotch and chatted, as I inquired about the past hundred years in his absence.
"Oh, by the way," he said, "I forgot to mention that you're an ass, Salazar." He pointed a finger at me and even jumped up in his seat, expressing his indignation. "Why the hell didn't you tell me that your apprentice is a Dream Mage? And why didn't you reveal to her that we're twins?!"
I had no doubt about his education or what he might know about Dream Walkers, but what was the reason for this reproach and such intense emotions? His voice almost rose to a falsetto at the end of his sentence.
"A magician, a visionary," I replied. "What does it matter to you?" Why was he so angry with me?
"I was nearly driven to the brink of death by sheer terror when I had the misfortune of encountering your former apprentice. She breached all my defenses, penetrating my very soul. During my slumber, this young lady seized me within the realm of dreams, leaving me utterly terrified! Me! Can you imagine?! I, the master of demonology, succumbed to fear at the hands of a mere adolescent!"
With those words, he drained the remainder of his scotch in a single gulp. However, it proved insufficient, prompting him to pour himself another generous glass. Only after consuming it in a single draught did Alfonso continue.
That Maria of yours has managed to bamboozle me. You would not have a brother if she had not received truthful responses from me. She appeared to me in the guise of some infernal creature, and I believed I had a nightmare on my hands. This is the most fearsome creature of the realm of dreams. And I was only released when my mind had been thoroughly probed, and I was informed that you and I are twins, and that I was ignorant of your fate. Then she introduced herself, and after our encounter, she apologized and departed.
He concluded his speech, reclining in his chair and shielding his eyes. His entire demeanor betrayed the strain and stress he had endured. Yes, I can empathize. He had just come to the realization that he was the fattest toad in Europe — after me, of course — but I was his twin. Then he was apprehended and exposed to all the information he desired. The sensation of helplessness is the most repugnant emotion a rational person can experience. This feeling brings with it a multitude of the most abhorrent emotions one is capable of feeling. Had it not been for my apprentice, with whom I had sworn a full apprenticeship, binding us in a bond of absolute trust, Alfonso would have perished upon awakening. After all, should my personal data fall into the wrong hands through him, he would be executed by the oath of twinning.
"Well, the girl's understandable," I replied with a smile to my friend. "Her beloved teacher vanished after a confrontation with Dracula, without giving her any warning. So the young girl, in a state of extreme anxiety, hastily sought me out. What if I required assistance?"
At my words, Alfonso leapt from his chair. As he paced around the room, he exclaimed once again:
«A child? A girl? Yes, she — the offspring of Lucifer and Llos — terrified everyone in the Magical Community to the point of incontinence, and... But seeing my raised eyebrow — with which I expressed my question — he came to his senses. «Oh, yes, you probably have not heard about it yet!»
In 1689, there was a gathering of all the most powerful wizards and heads of the oldest and most noble families in Europe. The Statute of Secrecy was enacted. Mages were no longer permitted to create art before commoners, and our entire community went into hiding.
And in 1690, the International Conference of Wizards was founded. Your pupil, Maria Françoise Badoer, served as the head of the Venetian delegation at that inaugural conference. It was clear to all who was behind her — the Church. She now serves as the eyes and ears of the Vatican within this organization.
That makes perfect sense to me. After all, my daughter has spent so much time in Rome, and her spiritual father exerts more influence than even the Pope himself in the Vatican.
Well, what does that say about her being the scourge and the demon you portray her as?
Oh, come now! A third of the oldest and most noble families in Europe are now linked to the Church in some way.
"Hmm. Let me elucidate. At the inaugural conference of the MCM, there arose the question of leadership. A vote was held to select a deserving sorcerer for the role. Your apprentice garnered the most support. All of the Italian kingdoms and principalties, along with France and Austria, cast their votes in her favor. Following your triumphant defeat of Dracula, numerous political points were accrued to Maria as your sole disciple. The results were set to be announced the following day, but the victor was already evident to all. However, the English, Romanians, Bulgarians, and French were quite indignant. The delegate from Bulgaria in particular was incensed. This individual not only affronted her during the proceedings, but also you. He referred to you as clerical scum and suggested that Maria be expelled from the organization of sorcerers as a Vatican agent!
After another swig of whisky, Alfonso paused for a moment, then resumed:
Maria remained unperturbed by the accusations and insults directed at her in the presence of witnesses. The following morning, Borislav, a member of the Bulgarian Vokil Khan dynasty, was discovered in a state such that the living might envy the deceased. I wish she had taken his life. I cannot say what she did to him, but he now resembles a mere mass of organic matter, bereft of any semblance of humanity. It is as if he has been transformed into a doughy sphere, with no discernible features. His eyes are a meter apart, his mouth, nose, and ears are positioned near his anus, and he lacks limbs and vocal cords. He could only be communicated with via mental link.
It transpired that he had experienced a horrific nightmare the previous night, which left him in this abominable state upon awakening. No amount of transfiguration or other magical interventions could restore him to his previous form. The wizards were unable to determine the cause of his transformation. It was not the result of poison or a curse.. Thus, Borislav now finds himself in the peculiar predicament of experiencing the odour of his spectacles on a daily basis, as his nostrils are positioned in close proximity to his posterior. As if this were not enough, she has also engineered his physiology such that he commences the process of defecation concurrently with his meals. His posterior is situated a mere few centimetres from his mouth!
Following this exemplary retribution for her audacity, she was nearly unanimously selected as the inaugural chairperson of the MCM.
My little girl has grown up. The transformation she has undergone is on a par with that of an Archimage. Her progress is rapid! How could I have been so blind? I have invested so much time and effort in her development, providing her with the finest elixirs available in the world and the most comprehensive training manuals, beyond the reach of even the most ancient and noble families of mages. With a teacher like myself, it is only natural that she would achieve such remarkable results. After a century of obscurity, it was difficult to integrate her into my worldview so abruptly, but Maria is no longer the young girl she once was. She is a respected and powerful mage, inspiring fear in all of Europe.
She is like me in many ways, I realised, having taken the best of what I had to offer, imbuing her with the sense of style and taste that I believed a mage of integrity should possess. She has already been dubbed the second Morgana, or the Chain Dog of the Vatican, albeit in a more discreet manner, as Merlin prohibits any outsiders from hearing the title.
He twitched at these words. As it transpired, my brother was highly susceptible. So what if he had nearly perished after meeting my lady? I, too, had stood at the precipice on several occasions, and yet nothing happened.
"Nah, Morgana was no saint. Trust me," I smirked, recalling how she enjoyed riding Salazar and twisting her nipples simultaneously. Ahh, the memories of sex. Nearly seven centuries without intimacy — a formidable challenge indeed!
"You knew Morgana?" Alfonso exclaimed. His eyes widened in surprise.
He nearly lunged at me, moving so close that he now hovered over me in his chair.
I responded with a smirk, "Yes. But I'll tell you more about her later, if you're interested in the details of her life."
He struggled to suppress his curiosity, but eventually, he continued the story.
There was nothing further of interest. No, one more incident occurred. Several individuals nominated themselves as candidates for the position of chairman of the International Confederation of Magicians (ICM). Borislav Vokil, a representative of the Bulgarians, Maria Badoer, hailing from Venice, and Nicholas Flamel, from France.
The following day, after Borislav awoke, he expressed a sense of incomprehension. Subsequently, Nicholas withdrew his candidacy. Following this, his delegation, comprising himself and all the French allies within the ICM, cast their support for your student, thereby endorsing his nomination.
Aha! Another familiar name has emerged.
"Who is this Flamel?" I have never heard of him before.
Might he be credited with being the creator of the legendary Philosopher's Stone?
"Ha-ah-ah-ah," Alfonso commenced, his tone laced with a hint of derision and condescension. "He is but another presumptuous youth, who fancies himself superior to Mount Everest in intellect. A mongrel, the offspring of a magician and a shepherdess, he is ignorant of his father's identity, having been raised in the outskirts of Marseille. Somehow, he managed to secure funds for his education at the prestigious Paris College of Potions, upon which he graduated, receiving the ring of an apprentice. For a time, he vanished from public view.
And now, three decades later, he has reemerged in Paris, where, sixty years prior, the Guild of Alchemists had been founded. He claims to have discovered the Philosopher's Stone, a claim that elicited laughter from the esteemed and knowledgeable members of the guild. My comrade, who was present, recounted their amusement at the sight of this individual, exuding arrogance and «recognition», as he departed.". The imbecile had acquired the writings of the antique magi of the East, succeeded in replicating the creation of the philosopher's stone, and subsequently sought to claim sole credit for the invention. Moreover, this fool is even utilizing the elixir of life for his own purposes!
What on earth is happening?
"Wait a moment. What do you mean, they bestowed upon him the title of Master?"
No, it is not a mere position or designation; it is a rank of authority and expertise. Is something amiss, or does this individual possess such a level of power? How intriguing.
"Directly! That fool did not even realize he was the butt of a joke. A mage with, Merlin willing, the strength of a master, called a Magister. Yes, a Magister doomed to progressive insanity and the impossibility of further development from the moment he imbibed his first dose of the Elixir of Life. His title is an insult. A master without proper knowledge and power is akin to a rider without a horse, or a captain without a ship!"
Alfonso was tempted to spit, but refrained, as there was a magnificent carpet beneath our feet, another marvel of Persian craftsmanship. He had already destroyed one, diagnosing my gifts in the form of bodily parts and organs from the Dark God I had slain.
"I see. So he is yet another charlatan and fool. Well, to hell with him. Now, my friend, tell me about the rumors about me in Rome, and what they amounted to in the Vatican after I performed a light-raising in Vienna?" I arrived at the crux of the matter.
"Ha ha ha ha! Exactly! Well done, Svyatozar!" With a brief pause, you are venerated as a saint and canonized by the Catholic Church. As soon as this occurs, the citizens of Venice erect a magnificent cathedral dedicated to your memory in their city — the Cathedral of St. Santosar the Protector.
"What? No, are you joking?"
"Hmm. Are you being serious now?"
Yet, why am I so astonished? It would be peculiar if I were not.
"Yes! It's a pity. It's a jest only I can appreciate. The Dark Lord, the Death of Life, the Plague of Albion — and he has been recognized as a Saint by the Vatican!" He shone like a gleaming galleon.
I shrugged my shoulders. "That's it?" What is your reaction? What else did you expect from me?
"Indeed. They have deemed me dead since they canonized me. How brilliant, how brilliant. Now I do not have to worry about how to evade the Vatican's increased scrutiny of me."
It would be best for me to remain in obscurity in Europe for the next century, or perhaps even two centuries. Let things remain as they are. And if, after centuries have passed, it turns out that I still exist, it is unlikely that those in power in the Vatican at that time will attempt to involve me in their inner machinations. After all, I have not made any public appearances or attempted to seize control of their little kingdom in so many years, which suggests that I have no interest in doing so. Therefore, I have no intention of pulling the Archimage's mustache. Oh yes, another question arises:
— Do they even recognise me as the Archimage?
While it is foolish to expect a different outcome, it is better to inquire.
Certainly. One cannot imagine the extent of the speculation among the influential sorcerers of Europe. It is truly unprecedented! The first High Priestess in five centuries, following Godric, Rowena, and Helga. Now, everyone is eagerly anticipating the ascension of your protégée to a similar status. Her mastery is already quite formidable!
Yes, indeed! She is an Archimage, and what she has done to Borislav is on par with the capabilities of an Archmage. Despite her innate talent as a dream walker, no other mage would have been capable of deforming the spiritual essences of their victims in such a manner, affecting their physical bodies and even ensuring their continued existence. This is unquestionably the level of a powerful and skilled Archimage!
I am filled with envy. She is barely two hundred years of age, yet she has achieved what took me five hundred years to accomplish. Although her accomplishments are entirely my doing, the result of my hard work and genius! Yes, that is true! And I had no such mentors; I had to earn my knowledge and power through blood, sweat, and tears.
There, that's better. Envy must be put to rest.
Halt! What in the world is this? Now I was assessing the situation from Salazar's perspective. As a newly reborn individual, of course, things were not exactly simple for me. But they were not as simple for me as they were for Salazar.
Having fallen into a state of trance, I began to understand my mental body and the other layers that affect my personality — the sensual spirit and the astral body. However, no. Everything was as it should be; there were no areas of suspicion. After a brief analysis of the situation, I realized that I could only fully embrace some aspects of the spiritual shells I had inherited from Salazar. Disappointing! At least it was fortunate that I had not developed schizophrenia. It was a good thing that I absorbed Morgana's soul through the ritual. Ugh! All right, time to return to reality.
Who enforces the law, anyway?
That is a crucial question, and it is imperative that we delve into the specifics. I would not wish to draw the attention of legal magi due to ignorance of their rights and obligations. After all, without such knowledge, I would not even be aware of which actions merit concealment.
In every nation where there are a significant number of mages, ministries of magic are established. These are the very bodies that will oversee the implementation of statutes and all other regulations issued by the Ministry of Magical Control (MMC). Currently, in all nations where they have been established or are about to be established, there is a struggle between clans for ministerial positions and other roles, including future heads of departments. It seems preposterous to me! No respectable mage would dedicate their life to apprehending and searching for those who violate these laws and statutes. Therefore, these new ministries will never be able to appoint serious mages to their ranks. They will merely be engaged in apprehending petty criminals and depriving them of their meager possessions.
You are correct, friend; based on my knowledge of this world gained from my previous existence.
I see. I have been contemplating my next move and contemplating what I should do. Naturally, I need to get accustomed to my newly acquired abilities and newfound strength first. Alas, I have almost no techniques or methods in yoga. The Salazar family has never been particularly strong in this area, and Morgana also needs to acquire such knowledge.
The materials I obtained from libraries in Europe, assisted by artefact libraries, cannot boast either. Therefore, to acquire the necessary knowledge, I must travel to the East, specifically to India. India is preferable, of course, as it is the birthplace of this school of developing one's spiritual shell or prana. However, I am hesitant to go there, fearing the presence of Archimages. The prospect of being accepted by the ruling families of the local maharajas, who have encountered an unrecorded sorcerer with the gift of the serpent, fills me with apprehension.
Despite the presence of Russia with its own knights and bogatyrs, I have yet to fully comprehend the intricacies of their magical abilities. Describing their capabilities and techniques is akin to working with prana, the vital life force, and sensual spirit-will. However, this approach may be preferable to venturing into territories where my instincts strongly suggest it would be unwise to tread.
My decision is made: I shall journey to my ancestral homeland once I have become accustomed to the novel circumstances and the development of my own powers. During my week-long stay at Alfonso's residence, I immersed myself in a plethora of contemporary literature, ranging from journalistic writings to scholarly works published within the past century. Additionally, my late-night gatherings with my counterpart provided invaluable insights into the hidden facets and significant developments. It was a truly enriching time spent with my friend.
Ah, yes. On the third day, I decided to take a nap, but I fell into a reverie. And therein, with great effort, I managed to evade encountering my former student, who began to intrude upon me in the realm of dreams. She is a formidable young woman, indeed. She sought me out with remarkable alacrity, and it proved exceedingly difficult to maintain the shield against her intrusion into my dreams, such that I did not find repose in my slumber.
Indeed, I awoke perspiring from the strain I had endured. And upon awakening, I sent my patronus to my student, informing her that I am alive, well, and that she should dedicate herself to growth and development. I cannot wait for the day when she becomes mine in every respect! This message should suffice for her.
Indeed, it did. In response, via my own basilisk, I received a message from her: «You won't have to wait long!»... True, her words sounded both expectant and menacing. Ah, the young lady's growing pains. Well, well. What she thinks doesn't matter; the marriage I intend to enter into with her will prevent her from seeking retribution for the troubles and stress caused by my previous actions.
Thus, I informed my closest companions (Maria, Koneko, and Alfonso) that I was safe. My twin informed me of all significant developments and news. Thus, I departed from my companion, returning to the sanctuary. It was time for me to tighten my grip and hone my skills, exploring my newly acquired powers and abilities in the realm of spells and mystic practices I had previously mastered.
I had to master the art of accurately gauging the appropriate level of mana allocation for my spells. After all, not only had my mana reserve increased but the very essence of my mana had undergone a qualitative transformation. Its degree of materiality and impact on the physical world had significantly intensified. This was entirely logical, as I stood on the precipice of attaining the ninth layer of my soul and ascending to the status of a god.
The realm of power levels is a fascinating subject. Let us bypass the lower ranks and delve directly into the realm of masters.
The term «master» denotes a position of power and knowledge that is closely associated with the attainment of true immortality, as it is understood in ancient Sumerian culture. In this context, a «master» refers to an individual who possesses the ability to consciously manipulate the energies of their soul. This does not necessarily imply the use of mana, the traditional energy associated with magical noesis, but rather encompasses other forms of energy such as prana, which yogis employ, or astral energy, utilized by shamans. In the realm of psionics, on the other hand, exclusively mental energy from the sixth shell is employed. All of these individuals were once referred to as «magicians» in ancient times.
The majority of magicians residing in Europe ought to be cognizant of the fact that they can harness magical energy to perform mystical acts, utilizing any energy produced by their soul. This is due to the fact that the Church, having barely gained power, embarked on eradicating not only demonologists but also blood mages. Rather, it commenced the extermination of all mages who engaged in direct work with the soul and possessed knowledge of its intricate structural layers.
This was done with the intention of depriving humanity of this knowledge, ultimately leading to the understanding that any deity who exists at the expense of its followers and is created by them is essentially a parasitic entity on society. In essence, it is no different from a demon in its fundamental nature.
In my opinion, demons are more fair and honest, as their intentions are immediately clear: they seek possession of one's soul, which they devour, leaving behind only the immortal essence of the soul to be recycled in the cycle of Sansara.
However, the gods are quite amusing. When an individual voluntarily embraces the belief in a deity, their soul immediately becomes connected with the egregore of their chosen god. Simultaneously, they begin to draw upon the energies of this individual, and the extent of these energies depends on the power of the deity. These energies, including ba-hyonic forces, can have a detrimental impact on the believer.
This is because the production of spiritual energies increases, and while these energies flow directly to the god, without contributing to the development of the believer's own soul, they merely accelerate its deterioration. Consequently, the lifespan of the believer is significantly reduced.
But the deities do not rest on their laurels. As their power grows, they are able to create a sub-realm within their domain where they draw the spirits of their departed followers after death. They then create conditions that ensure these spirits continue to function as generators of energy vital to the deities. Only when a believer's spiritual shell reaches its limit and is utterly destroyed, leaving only the pure essence of their soul — the immortal atman — does the process of reincarnation commence.
This fate is a severe blow to the soul, as it denies it any chance for progress in its next incarnation. The soul must start over from the beginning, and it would be a miracle for it to be reborn as a sentient being. Even within the river of souls, a residue remains on the core of the spirit. But this residue is nothing compared to what remains after passing through the realm of a deity.
Let us now delve into the realm of mage powers. A grand master is defined as a mage with at least five and a half, up to and including six, octanes of power. However, once again, it is important to note that these distinctions are relative. Throughout history, there have been instances where a mage with six and a half octanes emerged victorious in battles against archimages, not solely due to chance or fortune. The key factor behind this success may be the possession of a rare talent or an extraordinary mastery over one's own energy.
The realm of archimage begins from the seventh through the eighth octane, inclusive. With the acquisition of such power, a reasonable individual begins to develop the eighth layer of their soul, and their lifespan extends to a minimum of a millennium.
And with the attainment of the ninth octave, the adept becomes the Supreme, akin to the deity incarnate of the energy they have harnessed. Naturally, they immediately unlock the eighth sphere, which serves as the foundation for the subsequent formation of the ninth sphere. While the eighth sphere remains dormant until fully developed, it does not provide any unique advantages or protection against regression for the soul. However, the moment it is conceived, the ninth sphere grants immediate access to the manipulation of ba-hyon, allowing for a profound level of control and understanding.
Ascension to divinity through one's own efforts and labors, cultivating one's essence without the reliance on the faith of others, eradicates the fundamental vulnerability inherent in incarnate deities. In the absence of followers, one does not diminish, and the potency of one's ba-hyon within the ninth shell is solely determined by one's personal development. The ba-hyon of supreme mages is the product of their unwavering commitment and self-belief.
The more refined and robust one's other soul shells become, the greater one's capacity to manipulate ba-hyon, widening one's reservoir and control. Incarnated deities must augment their following to augment their available power. However, the supreme magician must continue to cultivate, refine, acquire new knowledge, and put it into practice to deplete their reserves, thereby fostering an increase in energy production. Even after ceasing to dedicate time to their development, the supreme one retains what they have achieved. Their level of power remains with them forever.
The only remaining course of action is to reach the ninth octane — and then one can temporarily put aside their pursuit of power. Even in a world where High Mages exist, I doubt I will ever engage in combat with them. Neither side in a potential conflict wishes to leave the world in ruins after a battle, correct? Such a fate awaits if two entities of such magnitude collide.
Khohnan's confrontation with Dagon is not a suitable comparison. Firstly, the Dark God was deranged, rendering him incapable of effectively utilizing his powers and abilities. Additionally, Khohnan was gravely injured in a previous encounter, from which he has yet to fully recover. Moreover, the physical and mental exhaustion resulting from prolonged warfare must be taken into account. Furthermore, he must maintain vigilance over his allies and kin, united against the latest threat to their people, ensuring their safety from imminent attacks.
Had they engaged in their full capacity, there would have been one continent less on Earth. Having reached this realization, I aspired to ascend to the divine realm as swiftly as possible, embarking on rigorous training. My goal was to achieve peak physical fitness and then travel to Russia. There, I intended to delve into the depths of knowledge regarding the magical schools that piqued my interest.