The Archmagus paused, letting a sense of anticipation build before delivering his conclusion.

"Only then would you truly embark on your journey across existence's boundless territories. Only then would you become what our discipline considers its highest achievement…an Existential Magus who operates at scales where reality itself becomes negotiable through sufficient understanding and capability of Glorious Magic!"

...!

The revelation settled into the Void.

Achilles absorbed this information with analytical calm.

His consciousness organized the new knowledge systematically, integrating it with everything he'd accumulated through weeks of exploration and observation.

A Treasure Fold of Life.

The terminology suggested that what he'd been conceptualizing as "the region where he existed"…the vast expanse of Void containing multiple Star Seas, numerous Existential Lineages, the territories controlled by Nar'Thyss and Foldless Ones…was actually a contained domain.

Something bounded rather than infinite, limited rather than endless despite its tremendous scale from his current perspective.

Which meant existence extended beyond this Treasure Fold into regions he couldn't yet perceive.

The Foldless Ones were entities who controlled access to something larger, who maintained boundaries between this contained domain and whatever lay beyond.

And The Primordial Civilization of Life they served apparently operated at scales where this entire Treasure Fold…containing countless Star Seas, trillions of countless existences, Lineages that had endured for eons…appeared small when viewed from their elevated perspective.

The implications were heavy!

But rather than finding this revelation discouraging, Achilles felt satisfaction.

The path forward remained clear even if its ultimate destination extended farther than he'd initially calculated.

He would continue assimilating Aspects of Existence within this Treasure Fold. He would gain entry into the Civilization of Life through whatever means proved necessary.

And then he would discover what lay beyond this contained domain, what territories existed at scales where Treasure Folds appeared small, what principles governed existence when viewed from perspectives that made his current comprehension seem childlike.

The journey would simply extend longer than anticipated.

But Achilles had never been concerned with duration….only with ultimate destinations and the certainty that he would reach them regardless of obstacles encountered along the way!

Achilles continued following the Magi for another few days, maintaining his invisible presence.

The journey proceeded with scholarly discussions about principles of existence, debates over theoretical applications of various authorities, and occasional tangential lectures from Archmagus Solleth about phenomena they encountered along their route.

Then, during what seemed like routine discourse, Achilles picked up a rather interesting conversation that made his consciousness focus with heightened attention.

Archmagus Solleth's voice carried across the Void with gravity.

"This time around," the old Magus began, his white beard flowing in ethereal winds as he turned to face his students with expression suggesting both excitement and solemn warning.

"We will reach the Foldless Testing Grounds of Life…the domain where the Legendary Archmagus Vienna has been training under the banner of the Foldless Ones, pursuing entry into the Primordial Civilization of Life itself."

The two disciples straightened with obvious interest, their scholarly bearing giving way momentarily to anticipation.

"The Foldless Ones are extremely unique in their methodology," Solleth continued.

"They are profoundly apathetic to conventional procedures that other organizations employ. They do not announce when their trials begin, nor do they declare the criteria by which candidates will be evaluated."

He paused, organizing thoughts into explanations that might help his disciples comprehend entities whose operational principles diverged significantly from what they'd encountered before.

"Archmagus Vienna has shared insights about their doctrine during our correspondence," Solleth said, and his voice carried mixture of respect and bewilderment.

"She describes it as follows…if one is inclined toward Life, they will find a way."

"The philosophy appears deliberately vague, frustratingly abstract to those of us who prefer easy understanding."

His disciples nodded.

"From our perspective," the old Magus continued, "they manifest these random moments in time where they accept new entities into their Testing Grounds. There is no schedule, no announced requirements, no clear indication of when opportunities for entry might arise."

"And only if you are fated with Life…whatever that means in their particular weavings, will you successfully arrive at their domain rather than being turned away by mechanisms we don't fully comprehend."

He looked at his two students with seriousness that made clear he considered what came next critically important.

"The two of you will have the opportunity to potentially enter alongside me," Solleth declared, and pride colored his tone.

"If we are favored by Life's inclinations, if whatever criteria the Foldless Ones employ in their selection process recognizes worthiness in us..."

His gaze intensified, ancient eyes blazing with determination!

"Do the best that you can when that moment arrives. Demonstrate every capability you possess, manifest all understanding you've cultivated through decades of study. Because I will be doing the same…competing not against you but alongside you, all three of us striving to prove we deserve entry into something that could elevate us beyond everything we've known."

...!

Achilles absorbed such critical information with calmness!

His eyes, invisible within the Void he'd become indistinguishable from, blazed with calculation!

This was opportunity presenting itself…a chance to approach the Foldless Ones, to experience their Testing Grounds and evaluate what entry into the Civilization of Life actually required.

But was it premature?

His mind debated with itself, his consciousness examining the question from multiple angles!

The viability of continuing to follow the Magi until he also encountered these Testing Grounds seemed high.

But whether he wanted to engage with the Foldless Ones so early in his development presented more complex considerations.

He had relocated the Sea of Thalassara specifically to gain time for advancement without external pressure, to cultivate power in isolation until threats that currently seemed overwhelming became manageable.

Approaching the Foldless Ones now meant potentially drawing their attention before he'd reached optimal capability…just slightly risky.

Yet weeks had passed since that relocation.

Weeks of constant assimilation, of consuming Aspects of Existence without pause, of integrating authorities and Aspects at rates that made his previous advancement seem glacial by comparison.

He was many times stronger than before!

He was exponentially more capable than when he'd first pulled his ancestors from death, incomparably more powerful than when he'd killed those Nar'Thyss.

After contemplating the various factors with methodical thoroughness, weighing risks against potential gains, calculating probabilities and preparing contingencies...

Achilles decisively affirmed his course to himself.

He came to a decision!

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