After watching Joan pass away, I decided I needed a break from Arsenia. I left the world and spent some time on my couch. I sat in contemplation for a long time, before deciding to take out the Seed of Divinity. I wasn't sure how it worked, but when I clicked on the symbol of the seed in the app, it appeared in my hand. A small gelatinous marble sized ball, which I was supposedly meant to eat?
I figured now was as good a time as any, so I just popped it into my mouth, and hoped for the best.
A text appeared on my phone after I ate the ball.
[It is advised that you be forcefully put to sleep, would you like to be put under during the assimilation?]
[Yes/No]
I of course chose yes, after which my body collapsed onto the couch, and I lost consciousness.
****
I woke up feeling incredibly groggy, and when I pushed down on my couch to get up, my couch collapsed. I was confused, but I thought perhaps my couch just happened to give out at that moment.
However those thoughts went away after I went to turn a doorknob to the bathroom, and it crushed under my grip.
I took off my shirt hurriedly, and looked down. What greeted me was a body that looked like a chiseled marble Greek God statue. I ran my hands over my body, and noticed my skin was perfect. I also noticed that I felt my vision was different. My perspective was... Higher?
I gently rotated the ruined doorknob, finally getting the door open. I then went into the bathroom, and what greeted me in the mirror confirmed my suspicious.
I had gotten a lot taller, almost 6'8" from my estimation. I also had a full head of pure black hair, that reached all the way down to my chest. I pushed it back, out of my eyes, and let it flow down the back. I would later tie it up when I bought some hair ties. After getting my hair out of my face, I realized my face had changed.
I now had an extremely handsome face that was not too chiseled, but I definitely had sharp features. I felt that my looks had evolved in the direction of typical Eastern Gods, as my parents were from South East Asia.
I left the bathroom, because if I stayed any longer I would just get angry. I was too damn handsome. I was actually very close to what I could only describe as a perfect human. My features all complemented each other perfectly, and my piercing purple eyes stood out so much. I really had an imposing look. However this all brought about a feeling of imposter syndrome, as I was not used to the idea that I had suddenly become really handsome.
I looked at the date and noticed an entire week had gone by, which somewhat bothered me since I now had to go out today to sell the tea set. I knew where to go though, as I knew of a well known collector of Chinese antiques, who's auction house was located in Chinatown. I grabbed some loose clothes that just barely fit me, and decided to leave the house. I would pick up new clothes along the way, so I wasn't worried about how I looked.
However I did look like a crack head, as I didn't have shoes and everyone on the bus was looking at me weird. However I just held their gazes and looked back at them, which caused them all to break eye contact, as I also had an oppressive air about me. Mixed with my otherworldly looks, no one could handle my gaze.
It wasn't long before I arrived at the market area again, and I looked through the street stands again for any antiques. I did end up finding another authentic jade vase, which I bought promptly. I then walked into a Big and Tall clothing store, with my tea set and vase, prompting everyone to look at me. An attendant even considered saying something, but when they got an actual good look at me they realized I was more beautiful than any model they had ever seen, they left me alone.
I quickly picked out a simple outfit of a sweater and some khakis. I then picked out a pair of shoes that were my new size and checked out. Everyone seemed surprised that I could actually afford it, but didn't dare say anything. After I checked out, I just took my old clothes and threw them in the trash outside. Now that I had clothes that fit, I was again sitting on the bus with a large box and a large case.
I spent the trip to Chinatown on my phone, looking through the different things I could buy in the shops. I would wait for my world to stabilize, and when they reached a period of relaxation or prosperity, I would purchase another upgrade. I then opened up the chat and spent some time just watching the chat.
Adonis and Merlin were arguing again, and I also discovered they actually existed in the same universe, but they were the Gods of different planets. This made me curious, as it seemed that Minor Gods were only in charge of a single planet, while Middle and Upper Gods oversaw the universe. Minor Gods were created by Upper Gods.
However no one created me, and I was technically in charge of the entire universe myself. Did this mean I had to power to create Minor Gods? That was interesting to me, and I would test it out later once I finished my business here. I wondered when I would get the chance to meet the God of Earth.
I got off the bus, and headed towards the auction I remembered in my memory. When I got there, I told the attendant that I had two items to sell, and I was currently in a waiting room while I waited for an expert appraiser. I was simply sitting quietly, with my eyes closed as I focused on my increasing physical abilities.
Yes, my physical abilities were still increasing in real time. I was currently focusing on my enhanced senses, as I could hear every sound outside the room I was currently in. I wished at this moment that it was sound proofed, but I couldn't really expect much as I was a nobody to them.
After another five minutes, I heard the door open, and the slow steps of a man approach me.
"Hi, I'm the appraiser, Alan Lee. I was told you had two authentic pieces you wanted to have appraised and sell to us? Can I see what is in the box? I'll appraise the vase first."
It was a man in his late 50s. I began to take out the tea set, while I looked into the history of Alan Lee in front of me.
He was a Chinese American immigrant, who brought his family over to America for better opportunities, but inside he missed China deeply. He had a lot of patriotic pride, but stayed in America for his children. In my opinion, he was a good father. He also had a good history of being an honest appraiser, so I trusted him to not cheat me.
"Wow... This vase is incredible, I think we can easily give you half a million for it. It would typically go for a little higher but the purity of Jade is a little lower in this one, but it is indeed authentic. Now let me take a look... Is this a tea set, from the Ming Dynasty?!"
This time he hurriedly sat in front of me, inspecting the set, with a little bit of a smile on his face.
'He loves what he does... Some people do end up finding their true life's calling.'
I simply smiled and waited for him to finish.
"I, my goodness these two pieces are fantastic, and they're in great condition. It isn't easy to be able to identify authentic pieces, with how many fakes there are, how did you manage to do so Mr... ?"
"Just call me Michelangelo. I simply have a discerning eye is all, and a bit of luck."
"Haha, well that's better than nothing, Mr. Michelangelo we can offer you $3 million for both items. We can deposit it into whatever bank you choose, but it will take a few hours for the deposit to be approved. You know the deal, banks and stuff. Is this deal acceptable?"
I stood up and shook Mr. Lee's hand, and nodded. I soon gave him my bank details, and he told me he would get that taken care of for me. He then walked me out of the building.
"If you ever find any more pieces, please don't hesitate to contact us, we will be sure to give you a fair price."
"Thank you Mr. Lee, you have been a very kind host. I will be sure to visit again." I then shook his hand and we exchanged light bows. I then left and made my way to a nearby real estate agency. I spent another couple hours there finding a property that fit my desires, but I didn't find one. I decided to leave the place and rethink my plans.
I then went to Ryan Ruger's house, a small warped home in the Southside of the Bronx. I knocked on the door, and surprisingly Ryan answered. He was on guard, as he didn't recognize me at all.
Which I didn't hold against him, as I was like a new person.
"It's me, Michelangelo. Some things have changed, I have come to talk to you about the future." I explained.
He was surprised, and showed skepticism, however he seemed to believe me after he took a good look at my eyes.
I still carried the same otherworldly aura, which helped to convince him.
"I'm sorry, please come in sir." Ryan then unlocked the door and held it open for me. I simply smiled, and patted his shoulder as I walked in. I went into the living room where his mother was sitting, watching television.
"Ryan, who is this young man you brought in? Also you called him 'sir', I have never heard you call anyone sir befo-"
"Mom, this is Mr. Michelangelo! He is the man I told you about. He's.. much more important than he shows. I show him respect as he was the one who helped me turn my life around." Ryan quickly explained. He then walked over and made sure the couch was clean, so I could sit down.
I sat where he cleaned, and looked at his mother for a brief moment.
I looked through her past and decided she was also trustworthy. So I began to explain my visit.
"I am happy to see you took my advice, and began painting again."
"I-Of course sir... I have been spending my days at home with my mother. While bills have been tight, I have been selling some of my paintings. It's worked out so far, so I have just been keeping at it."
I smiled as things had worked for him, otherwise I was planning to handle his bills today, but that made this conversation easier.
"Would you and your mother like to move to Washington with me? There are wonderful cabins that I think would be the perfect place for us to relax at. I would be taking care of the expenses and lodging, I just hope the two of you can help me with chores and stuff around the house."
I then waited for their response, and when Ryan looked at me asking for permission to talk to his mother about it, I simply nodded.
They then got into a long conversation about the pros and cons, but that was the shorter portion of it. The bulk of the conversation was about whether or not they could trust me, to which I stayed silent and took time to walk around. I was inspecting the art pieces and experiencing the emotions within them. I could see why they sold well, I felt Ryan truly had a gift to attach emotion to his paintings.
After 20 minutes of Ryan convincing his mother, they finally motioned to me that they were done. I came and sat down again, and Ryan's mother began to speak.
"We are willing to go with you, and if you need house keepers we can do that, but you should know that I want my son to go to college. Can you do that? Can you pay for him to go to art school, because if you want my boy to work for you, you have to be able to take care of him."
I held his mother's gaze, as she spoke, because I could feel the love in her voice. She held only love and concern for his well being, and it showed with her request. I could see that Ryan was not worried about that sort of thing at all, but I agreed that he should experience different things. Such as college.
So I agreed.
"Yes, I will finance Ryan to go to college. Either local or online. You two can talk about the details, just come to me with a list of the expenses. Anyways, I would pack the necessities, and be prepared to leave within a couple days. We will buy new stuff when we get there."
Ryan's mother, Misty, began to write down everything they would need. She then walked off, after bidding me goodbye, and started to pack. Ryan stayed in the living room, looking a little embarrassed.
"I'm sorry about my mom... She is a little protective."
"Don't be. She cares about you, I'm sure you understand that. No need to apologize. Anyways, I'll book our flights and head home. I hope you guys have a good night, I'll pick you up when its the day to fly out."
"Of course, let me walk you to the door Mr. Michelangelo. Please have a safe trip home."
I smiled and bid him farewell. I then had a thought.
'I should buy a car. Perhaps Ryan can get a license and drive me around.'
****
After purchasing the tickets and getting a laptop, I headed home. When I got home I gave my landlord a notice of leave, and paid the fee to end my lease early. I then went into Arsenia, and watched the changes that appeared while I was gone.
Since I left, the monster tides had been pushed back, and the races elected new members of the Council. I was happy to see that, and I watched for another 700 years as they developed new applications of magic. The understanding of magic also progressed, as the races began to create magical technology, which I thought was fascinating.
I continued to watch, when I remembered something I thought was really interesting in the shop, and I left Arsenia to purchase it.
[God's Specialty - 10,000,000 Faith.]
I purchased it, as I had just barely enough since I recently bought the Seed of Divinity. The God's Specialty was an item that established a specialty for each God, and dominion over said specialty.
I took it out, a scroll, and tore it. Following the instructions on how to use it, after tearing it apart it crumbled into dust, and soaked into my body.
After a few moments, knowledge flowed into my mind. I suddenly felt as if I knew all technology that was possible with the current available technology, and also the direction I need to go in order to advance it. I first started by imparting my new knowledge into Arsenia.
After manifesting in, I gave an inspirational vision to a dwarf for a new method of smelting. This would allow them to create new metals, of higher quality, and with that I opened the way to circuit boards.
I then gave Humans the idea of using mana stones to carve magic circles into, and that would later lead to the possibility of magic compute chips. I continued to give out visions to improve the level of technology, before letting time flow by. I decided that I would make my world advance into a ultra high tech society, that would then expand into the cosmos.
But first I needed to teach them about the concept of toilets, and running water.