A few hours after Asmodeus spoke with Odin, a gathering took place in the inner courtyard of the Elysium Academy – Odin, Asmodeus, the Ancient One, Nicholas, Rowena, Salazar, and Dumbledore. This assembly was due to Godric and Helga attending classes, while Rowena and Salazar were more interested in the amount of energy Odin would release.
Nicholas, Asmodeus, and Odin separated slightly from the group. Nicholas began taking out vials of elixir, preparing 25 similar to those used by the Ancient One. While Nicholas arranged the vials, Asmodeus drew a magical circle – akin to the ones recently employed by Muggles to transform into wizards, albeit modified. Now, the magical circle didn't direct Mana to the heart but facilitated the introduction of Mana into the body, with Odin controlling it thereafter.
After a few minutes, when Nicholas and Asmodeus finished their preparations, Asmodeus approached Odin and said, "We can begin. Are you ready?"
"More than ever. If anything happens to me..."
"I and the Ancient One have already promised to protect Asgard, but I believe everything will go well. You just need to follow our plan."
"Alright... thanks again. Whether it works or not, you will forever be the friend of Odin – the greatest king of Asgard!"
With these words, Odin took the elixir in his hand and began consuming it in gulps, as if quenching a millennium-long thirst. Over a certain period, Odin tried to drink as many vials as he could until he sensed that further elixir consumption wouldn't help.
"I feel the efficacy fading, moving on to the second stage!"
Odin tossed a vial from his right hand, entered the circle drawn by Asmodeus earlier, and extended his right hand. As if summoned by Odin, a sword gradually materialized in his hand – the same sword he once wielded in battles against celestials.
Odin took a deep breath and slowly drew the sword back.
"Exhale."
A golden trail of energy soared into space, slicing through the atmosphere like a sheet of thin paper.
The group behind Odin held their breath. If that strike had landed on them... Forget about them, focus on the earth!
Asmodeus wiped sweat from his brow and thought to himself,
'Fortunately, I suggested aiming for the space! I fear it would have split the planet in half!'
Odin wasn't concerned about the strength of his strike. The sword in his hand disappeared immediately, and Odin, holding another elixir, sat within the magical circle.
If one didn't pay much attention, it might seem like an old man meditating in the park. However, the gathered wizards here keenly felt the conspicuousness of Odin's behavior.
Those attuned to Mana could sense thick streams of Mana converging directly into Odin. Some young wizards even briefly wondered if the Mana amplifier had been turned off today, as casting spells had become unexpectedly difficult.
While Odin absorbed Mana from the surroundings, Asmodeus skeptically gazed at the sky.
"Um, guys, if I remember the planet positions correctly... during this time, Mercury should be in the direction where Odin directed the strike...?" Asmodeus hesitantly asked after a moment of contemplation.
"..."
Realizing that Odin might have sliced off a piece of Mercury, the group decided to keep quiet about this small mishap.
Fortunately, the connection with satellites was severed, and the magical world was no longer concealed; otherwise, the non-magical government would have had to come up with many stories.
What they didn't know was that when someone's strike reached Mercury, many seers and centaurs exclaimed,
"This is ******* impossible! Why is Mercury's influence almost absent in the new prophecy!?"
Luckily, aside from a few individuals, only astrologers and prophets learned about this incident.
*Somewhere in space, a detached piece of Mercury drifts...*
Wizards didn't have much time to ponder Mercury because now they witness a mist forming around Odin. It's the Mana he gathered around himself, its density so high that even the naked eye can now discern Mana particles.
When wizards thought Odin had entered the final stage, they heard a voice in their heads,
"Go, I'll need three days to balance the energy levels. Also, don't turn off the Mana amplifier!"
Once Odin's voice disappeared, Asmodeus smirked at Nicholas, "Looks like we underestimated Odin's energy reserves."
"Yeah, but maybe it's for the better. More time means more beneficial Mana from our world in his body?"
"I hope so... Alright, let's not disturb the old man, shall we? Let's go have a drink."
"What should we drink to?"
"For the repose of Mercury."
"..."
Tonight, for the first time, the group gathered to honor the memory of the planet.
Over the next two days, Odin occasionally waved his hand to have elixirs fly into it, but most of the time, he remained still. However, the park area around him changed beyond recognition due to the influence of Mana. Ordinary plants began mutating, and because this Mana was mixed with Odin's residual divine energy... Have you ever seen a weed that runs around and shoots lightning at everyone? Well, students from the school who decided to take a stroll in the park witnessed not just a weed. A dandelion with a top resembling a cactus... An apple tree with golden apples – eating one made you feel energetic and strong, the effect lasting about a week! Asmodeus even spotted something resembling Pikachu running through the park!
In short, a certain area of the Elysium park transformed into a sanctuary of Mana with elements of lightning and thunder. Newt even mentioned that after Odin leaves, he'll have to relocate the thunderbird group, as they've been trying to break through to Odin for the past two days.
Today marks the third day since Odin said he needed time. Asmodeus gazed at Odin, surrounded by golden energy, and pondered the lightning element,
'I master two elements perfectly – Fire and Air. Fire magic in my hands ultimately boils down to mass destruction, while Air is convenient for defense and flight. Sometimes it can be used for pinpoint attacks, but it's still not as convenient as using lightning in the world of the Avatar for maximum damage in one spot...
Lightning... lightning...
I should learn the lightning magic of this world... Redirecting lightning is certainly convenient, but if I can seamlessly use lightning magic as I use fire and air magic... Hehe, that would be interesting.'
Asmodeus' reflections were interrupted by Odin, who abruptly opened his eyes,
"Inhale."
With a light movement, all the energy that had previously surrounded Odin entered his body. Without pausing his movements, Odin took two vials of elixir and quickly started drinking.
In a few minutes, when there were no more vials left, and the energy in the surroundings had emptied, Odin patted his stomach and joyfully laughed,
"Ha-ha-ha-ha!!! It worked!!! Celestials? Gods? Come, I'll beat you so hard your own mothers won't recognize you!"
While Odin happily taunted, his body began to undergo a radical transformation. The belly that had protruded in old age started to shrink, gradually replaced by a slender waist. The previously slightly hunched back straightened, pushing forward a proud chest.
Muscles throughout his body once again filled with strength and vigor. After some minutes, the old man Asmodeus had been watching transformed into a middle-aged, muscular man with a long beard, an aggressive smile and an eye patch that left Asmodeus wondering – was this the king of gods or a pirate? But one thing was certain – Odin had returned to his peak.
One of the mightiest beings on the level of the single universe, he had once again become someone who could crush anyone opposing Asgard.
Though Odin currently showed no aggression towards Asmodeus or this world, Asmodeus distinctly felt a sense of subjugation, as if a lizard was staring at a dragon.
Odin gradually regained himself, and realizing that his energy was slightly leaking, he sighed. The pressure Asmodeus felt instantly lifted.
Odin smiled and happily walked towards Asmodeus,
"Congratulations..."
Before Asmodeus could express his congratulations, he felt Odin hugging him.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you.... If not for you....Thank you."
Odin hugged Asmodeus tightly once again and stepped back. Just as Asmodeus thought the old man's emotional state had stabilized, he saw Odin's sword reappear in his hand. Odin grasped the blade with his palm and pulled sharply. Blood flowed from the hand of the King of Asgard, and he began to speak.
"I believe words of gratitude are inadequate, and what you received in return for helping me is incomparable to what I gained from this!"
Odin paused for a moment and spoke again, "I am Odin Borson! King of Asgard and guardian of the nine realms. Born under the blessing of Yggdrasil, endowed with its wisdom and glory. I swear never to harm Asmodeus Noren Morningstar. To remain his friend henceforth and forever!"
As Odin spoke, runes began to appear around him, and behind him, the silhouette of a tree started to take form.
"I swear to protect him and assist him in any way I can. I swear henceforth to call Asmodeus Noren Morningstar my brother, by blood, I affirm this friendship! And may my soul never enter Valhalla if it be otherwise! Yggdrasil – the world tree, confirm this oath!"
The silhouette of the tree behind Odin began to glow and sparkle. The blood flowing from Odin's hand started to rise in the air, forming a peculiar runic symbol.
Once the symbol was formed, absorbed by the silhouette of the tree, Asmodeus felt something akin to a door opening in his mind. If focused, he could sense where this door led – to the roots of Yggdrasil, where Odin once gained his wisdom in exchange for an eye!
Gradually, the silhouette of the World Tree disappeared, leaving only the smiling Odin and the stunned Asmodeus.
"Odin, you..."
"Asmodeus, without you, even if I had resolved the issue with Hela, Asgard would still face Ragnarok, one way or another. But you, you returned to me something that can give me confidence in tomorrow – My strength! Thanks to you, for the first time in 1000 years, I see a way out and am not afraid of the future! That's why, among all those I know, you deserve this. What Yggdrasil gave you when I acknowledged you as a brother is access to exchange with the World Tree. This is only available to members of the royal family of Asgard. When you become strong enough, if you pass the trial, you will receive from Yggdrasil what it deems most suitable for you. You will feel it when it deems you worthy of the trial."
Asmodeus nodded heavily. He understood that Odin wanted to repay him for the salvation, but still thought it was a bit much. Odin essentially granted him the status identical to a member of the royal family of Asgard.
"I swear. In the face of a threat to Asgard, I will be there!"
"Haha, that's good. Let's go have a drink; I haven't been this happy in a long time!"
Odin laughed and, patting Asmodeus on the shoulder, walked towards Hogsmeade.