[A/N: This chapter briefly explains the power system of this book—Aleister's framework.]
***
With the aid of the 'ritual,' Verethragna's Spirit Foundation perfectly merged into Roy's being. Having gone through this process four times before and with Aiwass's help in intercepting and preserving the Spirit Foundation, Roy executed the ritual with practiced ease, integrating the final Spirit Foundation without any difficulty.
BOOM——————
Roy felt a thunderous roar in his mind as the spiritual foundation of Verethragna merged with him. It was like a pool on the verge of overflowing finally reaching its critical limit, allowing Roy's spirit and body to become perfectly unified. His curse power expanded to the maximum threshold a Campione could endure.
At this moment, Roy seemed to touch the boundary of the Campione world, glimpsing its entirety as if it were within reach—as if he could transcend this world and step into the 'unknown' beyond.
Yet this seemingly fragile membrane remained impenetrable no matter how hard Roy tried. Only the mysterious object in his right hand, the space Aiwass called a 'ship,' trembled faintly, as if reminding Roy that he could leave this place anytime by borrowing its power.
"Roy, do not obsess over breaking through that 'World Veil.' It will lead you astray, to despair, to madness..."
Just as Roy pondered what this seemingly fragile 'membrane' was and how to pierce it, Aiwass's ethereal, melodious voice echoed in his mind, jolting him back to awareness.
"Hah..."
He gasped twice, wiping cold sweat that had unknowingly formed on his forehead, and asked Aiwass, "...What is that thing?"
"That is the world's self-protection, the path one must traverse to reach the Sea of Worlds. As for its true nature, even I do not know. The Magic Gods seek to cross that World Veil to reach new realms."
Aiwass paused briefly before shaking her head—a rare admission of ignorance.
"Then... have the Magic Gods succeeded?"
Roy immediately realized the redundancy of his question.
Sure enough, Aiwass let out a human-like scoff. "...Had they succeeded, they wouldn't be confined to isolated islands, forced to create the Hidden World as their refuge. The Magic Gods cannot even restore the world, relying on a 'mechanism' to maintain its stability—let alone pierce the World Veil."
"...Aleister and the members of the Golden Dawn devised a system called the Silver Star, encompassing all of humanity and divinity. They named the pinnacle of human achievement 7=4, the 'Adeptus'; those who reached divine will 8=3, the 'Sanctum'; and the flawless Magic Gods who attained the zenith of magic 9=2, the 'Truth.' Beyond that lies pure conjecture—10=1, the 'Self-Existing One.'"
"These records exist in Aleister's essays, which you likely read during your time in London. But I tell you this: in that world, all Magic Gods remain at 8=3, with only one approaching 9=2. And I assert that even a 9=2 'Sanctum' Magic God could never breach the World Veil. Only a truly enlightened being, one of great wisdom who reaches 10=1, could transcend the world."
Aiwass seemed to be reiterating knowledge Roy was already familiar with, but Roy understood this was merely Aiwass's way of advising him not to obsess over that impenetrable "Veil of the World"—something even the vastly more powerful Magic Gods, who could crush him with a finger, could not breach.
"By that logic, I'm actually far more formidable than the Magic Gods now, since I can break through what they cannot."
Roy smiled as he raised his right hand. Nestled within that hand was a mysterious space he called the "Stairway to Divinity"—his guarantee for traversing worlds.
Aiwass gave Roy's right hand a deep, lingering look. It was an utterly ordinary hand—pale, clean, with slender fingers—devoid of any visible peculiarities. Yet she knew that within it lay something capable of driving Magic Gods to madness and ensnaring even her own fascination.
"So, until you possess the power to confront the Magic Gods, do not return to that world. For the sake of their 'ideals,' they will become the most relentless of madmen, solely to obtain what lies in your right hand... Perhaps this 'ship' was created by the 'One Who Is Oneself' of the 10=1, but the specifics remain conjecture. You'll have to uncover them yourself."
Aiwass slowly shook her head, speaking with sincere earnestness.
"I do find it strange, Aiwass. Even if your power can't affect the material world, your knowledge alone should be enough to kill me, no? Why not just kill me outright and take my right hand?"
Having completed his Spirit Foundation Ascension ritual, Roy settled back into his chair and posed the question casually.
What should have been a tense, lethal exchange instead carried the ease of a simple greeting. Neither Aiwass nor Roy showed the slightest tension, discussing the topic of "killing me" with utter nonchalance.
"I am merely an 'observer,' not a 'practitioner.' Rather than intervening directly, I prefer to watch your efforts as a spectator imparting knowledge... Besides, as you can see, I've already achieved the lifelong ambitions and dreams of the Magic Gods without lifting a finger. Why should I go out of my way to complicate matters?"
Aiwass stated her thoughts with complete candor—no ambiguity, no deception. Perhaps she hoped this approach would earn more of Roy's trust.
"Is it because you fear that if I die, the 'ship' in this right hand will lose its function? So you'd rather do nothing and remain an observer, knowing that if I do perish one day, you'll be the first to claim my right hand and corpse for your own research?"
"I won't deny your reasoning."
"Then you truly have positioned yourself as the eternal victor. Whether I live or die, you'll always reap the greatest benefits."
Roy let out a light sigh, though without resentment or anger. It was only human nature—and besides, he owed much to Aiwass's assistance. Without her, he wouldn't have attained his current strength so swiftly.
"Let me correct your statement. Only if you live will I benefit the most. So Roy, I don't wish for your death. I want you to keep living—these are my sincere words."
Aiwass's ethereal, featureless face grew solemn as she spoke each word deliberately.
"You're taking all the advantages here. No matter how I look at it, I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick."
Roy frowned, speaking with visible frustration.
"If you feel I'm taking all the advantages, then wait until I obtain a physical form. I'll impart all my knowledge to you."
Aiwass let out a light laugh as she made her promise.
Saying she would teach Roy all her knowledge was essentially a promise to share it through sex magic—transferring wisdom via bodily fluids, which amounted to an implicit agreement to sleep with him.
"I don't like this transactional approach. I prefer exchanges with genuine emotion."
Roy felt his words sounded somewhat affected, but they reflected his true feelings.
"With Athena, with Luo Hao—weren't those transactions too?"
"Whether it's Athena or Luo Hao, they both harbor some affection for me in their hearts, however faint it may be."
"Then do you think I don't?"
Aiwass asked with amused interest.
Roy studied her deeply before shaking his head. "...I don't know if you truly have feelings for me. I can't see through you. Compared to Athena, Aiwass, you're more like an illusory deity. No one knows what you're really thinking, whether you truly possess emotions."
Aiwass fell silent. After a long pause, she suddenly laughed—a radiant, blooming smile that made her ethereal features solidify into clarity, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful face.
Her lovely visage carried both the freshness of a youthful maiden and the dignified grace of a noblewoman.
"Then work hard to make me develop genuine human emotions."
With an enchanting smile that defied comprehension, the Holy Guardian Angel spoke these words.
Roy frowned, staring intently at Aiwass's exquisitely delicate features—her almond-shaped eyes, naturally rosy lips, and elegantly arched brows. A thought struck him, and he blurted out, "...Why does your appearance feel strangely familiar to me?"
"This is Rose."
"Who's that?"
"Aleister's wife. Essentially, your stepmother."
"..."
This time, it was Roy's turn to fall silent.
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