It's been a long time coming.

Almost two years since I became a Leviathan, and although that period is rather brief when compared to other Leviathans, it has been very long and eventful for me.

Too much has happened within this brief period, and it has motivated me to challenge the dreary obstacle ahead.

The Enlightenment Ritual of Leviathans.

—Apotheosis!

Based on what Ciel told me, there are two conditions that must be fulfilled before one is qualified for Apotheosis.

One is full knowledge and competence in the respective rank, and the second is an inspiration from the higher Rank.

Basically, for a Witness Seeker to undergo Apotheosis, they would have to be at the peak of Rank 1, having the knowledge and depth of their Conceptions, with their Interference Power being at the maximum that it can be at Rank 1.

Then, they'd need a spark of inspiration from a Rank 2 Seeker.

This will ignite their hidden potential and cause a stirring within them.

The Leviathan will know when it is time.

They will get the feeling.

And although they can suppress the stirring for as long as possible, choosing to never undergo Apotheosis, the moment they concede and give the spark a chance to erupt, their Apotheosis will officially begin.

Looking back at the incident with Zarius, that's probably what happened to him.

He chose not to advance right until I had him cornered. He stalled Apotheosis because he wished to be more prepared by brewing a Grade 6 Potion, but I don't have the time to gather so many resources and find a Divine Alchemist to help me brew it.

The Dark Guild can help me with the materials for sure, especially since I already have the most problematic ones in my possession, but where am I supposed to find a Divine Alchemist?

Besides, unlike Zarius, I believe I am qualified for Apotheosis.

Thanks to the Potions I obtained from the founding Leviathan's notes, I have reached peak status in all three Fragmented Conceptions.

Only a year has passed, but all of my Leviathan abilities have improved to their limits.

As for inspiration—

'Ciel's Sanctuary has records of all the Leviathans who managed to succeed in their ascension, becoming Rank 2.' I think solemnly, my eyes closed. 'Although there were only a few of them in the long history of the Sanctuary, one or two of them belonged to the respective Pathways, except Harbinger of course.'

Naturally, there were far more Seekers than those of other Pathways, but number doesn't matter when it's inspiration I'm after.

After over a year together, I was finally able to convince Ciel to show me the records.

She was afraid that I'd become uncontrollable if I advanced to Rank 2, and the balance of power would be too skewed in my favor.

Thus, it took quite some effort to make her trust me.

Since I'll be going to Dustinville soon, that should reduce the pressure on her people. I also promised to awaken a new Leviathan in her Sanctuary through my Apotheosis, thus ensuring the Vey'lithars have one more Witness.

This is helpful for me since I intend to take Ciel with me to Dustinville.

We will likely not return to the Randalorion Kingdom for a while, so it's best if the Vey'lithars have another Leviathan that can serve as their chief in the meantime.

One of the reasons Ciel went ahead of me to the Sanctuary is to choose the candidate for the position.

Right now, I'm on my way to the Sanctuary.

I should arrive there tomorrow, and after three days, on New Year's eve… I will initiate the enlightenment ritual.

I still haven't gotten a response from Klein regarding my offer, but he had better hurry since elections will begin soon.

We need a new Headmaster before school resumes next year.

Then, for business… hmm…

Freya and Jasper have proven themselves quite a bit this past year. I have also received unbiased reports from Leon and Uncle Damon which tell me they're being very cooperative.

In that case, it shouldn't be a problem leaving them to handle business in the Randalorion Kingdom while I take Leon and Uncle Damon with me to Dustinville.

That's right…

Not only do I intend to take Ciel with me, but those two are coming too.

This is a new land I'm heading to, after all. I need as many competent and trusted people in my circle.

Plus, there is surely a Dark Guild branch in Dustinville.

I'd like to get acquainted with it to ensure access to secret information and goods. Since I am no longer going to be in my home territory, none of my current connections will be of any use.

I'll need to make new ones.

Leon and Uncle Damon will be very useful in that venture. I should be a Rank 2 Leviathan by then, and with Ciel—a Rank 1—accompanying me, I should have sufficient reach, even if it is a different Kingdom.

No need to think too far, though.

'I should enjoy myself a little more, since I don't know what to expect in Apotheosis…'

I smile and enter a slumber, not minding the gentle flap of the Sky Lantern Ray that traverses the night sky.

My journey is peaceful and uneventful.

After a day, I arrive at the Vey'lithar Sanctuary, just as scheduled.

Naturally, I greet the villagers, who have all grown accustomed to life in the Sanctuary.

In fact, one has even impregnated a Vey'lithar.

The first mixed breed child will be born in just a few months, though I doubt I'll be able to see it for myself.

In conclusion, things are going well.

Looks like the assimilation plan is going smoothly. Even Ciel has no choice but to agree with me.

Speaking of Ciel, she invites me to a secret room—one I never ventured into, even as an honored guest of the Sanctuary.

It is the Shrine of the Ancestors.

There, she reveals the hidden records which I have been pestering her about, and much to my relief… They were exactly what I needed.

The moment I consume the knowledge of each respective Pathway, I begin to feel stirrings within me.

I know… I understand it now!

I'm ready!

The sparks of inspiration have been ignited, and anytime I wish to undergo Apotheosis, I can finally do so.

But I have to hold off on it.

There are still other preparations to be made.

Still…

'So at Rank 2, I can access up to the Week Layer.' A broad smile forms on my face as I leave the shrine with Ciel.

Evidently, she too has the spark of inspiration.

She can undergo Apotheosis at any time, but because of the evident implications, she has chosen not to.

"Thanks for this, Ciel." I smile at her while the both of us walk right next to each other.

"It's no problem." She sighs coldly. Just keep your end of the deal."

"Of course. I'll take care of the expenses of your Existential Deficiency Potion, and the Leviathans your Vey'lithar Sanctuary produces from this moment on can use the recipe I showed you."

There's something quite interesting about the recipe of the Founding Leviathan.

All the Special Resource ingredients can be found in the Vey'lithat Sanctuary—albeit in limited quantities.

Using the old recipe, the Vey'lithars could only reach peak status after five to ten years, and their expenditure of Special Resources when brewing Potions to curb Deficiency is much higher than my recipe.

Once they switch to mine, they can reach peak status in only two years, and their expenditure will reduce drastically for Existential Deficiency Potions.

They could even afford to raise two to three Leviathans in the Sanctuary, instead of the normal one.

Even at that, I have only decided to awaken one Witness in my Apotheosis.

Since both sides have gained a good sum, we're both satisfied by this outcome and are looking forward to what comes next.

"Before you begin, there's something else you should know…" Ciel finally breaks the silence and stares at me intently.

"What's that?"

Her face is stern, and her purple eyes glisten with concern.

"What actually happens in Apotheosis."

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