Outside, Margona remained silent, her brows furrowed in thought. No matter what she considered, she couldn't understand Zera's purpose for her discussion with Orion that day. It was the first ti Zera had ignored their warnings and talked back to her in such a way. Having known Zera since birth, Margona was certain that Zera wouldn't do anything harmful or betray them. However, she also realized that if they didn't figure out what was happening soon, it might beco a problem. Unfortunately, she was the only one who seed concerned about the matter.
Margona shook the thought out of her head for now and walked toward the cauldron. She took out a pill and examined it. "What should we call it?" she asked, refocusing on Orion.
"Let's call it the Condensed Vylkr Essence Nourishing Elixir," Orion responded.
Margona let the na roll off her tongue a few tis before replying, "We'll go with that, then," she nodded. She quickly packaged the elixirs into a sealed container and labelled them for him. Then, she walked toward the couch with a large scroll and a pen. She sat down and began writing the Condensed Vylkr Essence Nourishing Elixir recipe.
When she finished, she called Orion over and handed it to him.
Orion received the recipe and bowed, "Thank you," he said gratefully.
"You don't need to thank . Despite promising I would make the elixir myself, we both worked hard to create it. You should share the satisfaction of the results," Margona said nonchalantly.
Orion nodded silently, unsure how to handle the goddess's unstable emotions, which seed to fluctuate at any mont.
"Are you going to try advancing to the next stage now?" Margona asked curiously.
"Yes. I hope the Condensed Vylkr Essence Nourishing Elixir will help achieve that," Orion replied.
"Alright then, I wish you good luck. I expect to hear good news from you soon," Margona said.
Orion was taken aback by her words but maintained his composure and nodded. "You'll be one of the first to know if I succeed," he promised. Though he wasn't sure of her hidden intentions, he knew it wouldn't hurt to build a friendly relationship with her.
Margona stood from her seat, approached him, and suddenly wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into an embrace. "Now that this is over, I'll have to go back to spending the rest of my days alone with those two. Ugh! It's so unfair." She took a handkerchief from her robe, blew her nose into it, and wiped away a few tears. "I'll truly miss you, Orion." Feeling the irritation and uncomfortable emotions swirling inside her, Margona tightened her grip around him. Because she hadn't lifted him off the ground and because of their height difference, Orion found his face resting against her covered bosom. It was a strange yet pleasant experience.
"… I'll miss you too, goddess Margona," Orion responded. He had to admit, the woman knew how to create odd atmospheres. However, he couldn't deny that their ti together while making the elixir was truly unique.
After a while, Margona released him and cleared her throat, dispelling the awkward atmosphere. "Clean up the lab before you leave," Margona said, patting his shoulder before swiftly exiting the room and closing the door behind her.
Orion looked at the ss they had made during the experints and set the items on the table. He picked up an enchanted rag and began cleaning the alchemy lab. Since today was his last day here and his task was complete, he left the place spotless.
.....
After cleaning the lab, Orion returned to his room and sat comfortably on the wooden floor. He took out one of the Condensed Vylkr Essence Nourishing Elixirs and placed it into his mouth. As Orion felt the familiar sensation of llowed Vylkr energy rushing toward his Vylkr container, he swiftly redirected it toward his heart. He prepared to create two additional Vylkr containers. Creating another Vylkr container in both his mind and heart would provide balanced growth, allowing for a clearer mind, which would likely help him comprehend more complex techniques or arts faster. However, with his lightning form and current capabilities, he wasn't lacking in speed, nor did he need to approach an enemy to deal catastrophic damage. He could strike from a safe distance. This might give others the impression that he was weak in close combat, but Orion didn't mind—that was what he wanted. By drastically increasing his strength, his lightning form would grow stronger against powerful opponents while improving his ntal clarity.
It would be easy to handle an opponent in close range and afar.
As the Vylkr energy within his heart began condensing into two additional Vylkr containers, Orion comnced the process.
One per cent! Two per cent!! Three per cent!!!
Ten percent….
Orion regulated his breathing, utilizing the stabilizing effect of the Condensed Vylkr Essence Nourishing Elixir and the Primordial energy to hold the Vylkr energy together during the condensation process.
Twenty per cent...
Soon, cracks began to appear on Orion's skin. Black-stained blood and Vylkr energy oozed from the cracks and dispersed into the air, forming an inky black cloud of blood mist mixed with strands of Vylkr energy around him. Fifty per cent...
Oron's expression tightened in pain as he endured the unending torture, the dense surge of Vylkr energy causing his bones to crack and rupturing his tissues and veins.
Eighty-four per cent...
Several hours had passed since Orion began condensing his Vylkr energy into two Vylkr containers. He could feel that he was sixteen per cent away from completing the advancent. At this point, his body was almost unrecognizable; it felt as though he had one foot in the grave. The black, bloody Vylkr energy cloud filled every corner of the room, making it difficult to even spot his figure.
"Not now. I'm almost there," Orion said, clenching his teeth in determination. His breathing grew rough, and his vision beca clouded and dizzy.
Ninety-one percent…
His mind began to spin. Within monts, he lost all his strength and collapsed forward, his head pressing against the wooden floorboard, lighting it up with dense strands of Vylkr energy. Orion had lost all feeling in his body and was unable to move. Regardless, he attempted to lift his upper body, straightening himself with only the force of his forehead. As the influx of Vylkr energy surged drastically, his heartbeat began to slow.
Suddenly, the door to his room burst open, and a figure rushed in, screaming, "ORION!" Those were the last words he heard before he fell unconscious, his body still slumped forward.
.....
Orion awakened on a soft pillow within the familiar void and crimson plane of the small crimson greatsword space inside his body. He felt a gentle stroke against his cheek. Looking up, he saw Aerialia's familiar features. He realized that the soft area he rested upon was her lap.
"I ca as soon as I sensed your condition," Aerialia said. "I take it you tried to ascend. Were you successful?" she asked.
"I failed," Orion sighed. "The threshold to beco a six-star warrior as a four-star warrior is more difficult than I imagined. Its power is too much for my body to bear without proper preparation. It feels like I'm missing sothing."
Aerialia pinched his cheek and tugged lightly. "You almost made lose my composure and rush here to check what happened to you. Fortunately, I managed to keep Aurora in place since we're at a critical phase in creating the Divine Embryonic Seed. And now you're already thinking of trying sothing reckless again after you've only just awakened," she scolded.
Seeing Orion's face morph into an apologetic expression, Aerialia sighed in defeat and began stroking the part she had pinched. Why don't you wait for Aurora and try again when she's done?" she asked. "With her exceptional control over Vylkr's energy, she could help stabilize the energy within your body and prevent things from spiralling out of control, just like during the examination."
"I can't. It would be difficult for Aurora to handle her emotions during such a delicate stage. We can't risk anything that might stunt her growth," Orion responded, shaking his head. He had initially planned to ask for Aurora's help. But he didn't want Aurora to see the condition he'd experienced when crossing the threshold to a six-star warrior. He didn't want her to feel she was too weak to protect him, even after her ascension to godhood.
"Okay. But suppose you fail to build one after your next trial. In that case, you must promise to condense only one Vylkr container to beco a five-star warrior," Aerialia said, her voice stern as she looked down at him with sharp, narrowed eyes. She knew that nothing she said would stop him from doing what he wanted. With her countless life experiences, she understood his way of thinking. Yet, she was worried because, at the end of the day, Orion was a mortal who could utilize Vylkr energy, an anomaly. She was unsure if he could be resurrected or reincarnated if he were to et his death suddenly.
.....
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