What did he mean by saying that he wouldn't give me his powers if it were the current him? I had passed the trial and I deserved to get the blessing, didn't I? Moreover, I already knew I was weak, he didn't need to be a prick about it! How could I even compare myself with a deity in the first place? Or did he perhaps expect his successor to be overpowered right from the start?! I complained endlessly in my head because I did not dare to speak out loud.
But then I remembered what Virgil's avatar had said about him. He said that the real him wouldn't be as friendly as the avatar, so that explained why the real Virgil, the one standing in front of me right now, had such an unpleasant attitude.
⌈Honestly speaking, if it was the real me, I wouldn't have blessed you even if you passed the trial. I wanted a worthy successor, not a weakling.⌋ Virgil snorted with clear disappointment. ⌈And there are many others who could be more worthy of my powers. I could have many successors if I wanted to.⌋
"How would you know if I am a disappointment if you have yet to see me grow?" I said after remaining quiet for some time. "You may think that I am not worthy of your power, but didn't I just stare at a divine being's true form and not die… well, I did get hurt a bit, but I survived nevertheless." I smirked slightly. "And from what I remember, your avatar said that you didn't have any successors before, and that I am your first. So I don't really know why you are this upset."
Hopefully he does not erase me for talking back. I prayed internally.
⌈Y-you are too full of yourself. You are only alive because I wished it so! But what you just did, surviving, barely, my majestic form, was quite impressive… for a human.⌋ He clicked his tongue in annoyance. ⌈You said that I haven't seen you grow yet, but what proof do you have that will make sure you will not just end up as a weakling in the end? Don't blame me, but humans rarely become forces to be reckoned with, let alone ascend to godhood. Only a few managed to do it, and even then, barely.⌋
My eyes went wide at the last sentence he had just spoken. Some humans had really ascended to godhood! This was information that perhaps no one else knew.
In history, it was never talked about. There was no mention of a human god nor a human that had truly reached divinity. There were only records of those who tried and perished, or those who simply disappeared in the process. Breaking through the tenth circle, or the 10-star realm, was something unheard of. No one in history had ever done it. But then again, who said that words written on some paper were always real? The world was vast and hid countless secrets. There may indeed have been someone who broke through the wall and ascended, perhaps even living among us without anyone knowing. However, a god setting foot on this world was impossible. The world itself would be destroyed the moment they tried.
I already had a hunch that some humans might have reached godhood, but now hearing it confirmed felt unreal.
"Is that true? That some humans have achieved divinity?" I decided to confirm it just in case.
⌈Are you deaf?⌋ Virgil rolled his eyes. ⌈Yes, there are some. Their numbers can be counted on a single hand of mine.⌋
"You currently have paws," I pointed out.
⌈Do you want to die?⌋
"No."
⌈As I was saying, it is indeed surprising that humans, the lowest of the lowest races, managed to produce some gods. Though, it is even more surprising that such gods never even tried to help their kin after ascending.⌋ Virgil spoke with evident disdain as he rested his head on his forelegs.
"There is nothing like that in history…"
Damn, we really are the lowest of the lowest. I had already expected that, after all, in most fantasy settings humans were always the weakest race. But the more pressing issue was why there were no records of any human god in history. Hell, it was as if the human gods themselves had erased all traces of their existence, abandoning their own kind entirely. I frowned deeply.
⌈Kid, don't be naïve.⌋ Virgil spoke as if he were reading my thoughts. ⌈Don't rely too much on books written by other people. They are mostly not what they seem to be. After all, history can be fabricated.⌋
⌈Those gods abandoned your kind, your people, for power. Hell, isn't that how humans are? Greedy and selfish creatures who only think about themselves, betraying each other when they get the opportunity. Not even dragons, who are known to be greedy with their magic and treasures, compare to you lot.⌋
I felt every single word he had said. I felt insulted, yet understood at the same time. After all, humans were cruel creatures.
⌈When you humans suffer, the so-called human gods don't even bat an eye. Only other gods who pity you, like the Sun God, actually do something about it.⌋
I didn't really feel hatred toward the so-called human gods, mainly because I didn't truly belong to this world. Still, turning your back on your own kind was something I strongly disagreed with.
"Such actions are inhuman."
⌈They are no longer human, kid.⌋
"Right."
⌈That is how ascending to godhood is. Leaving all mortal ways behind and embracing your new self. If what you said earlier is truly what you wish to achieve, then one day you will have to face it.⌋ Virgil said as he let out a long yawn.
"I don't really wish to lose my humanity, and I doubt I would even recognize myself if I did," I said confidently. "If becoming strong means losing my humanity along the way, then that's not the kind of strength I want."
Even though I said that, I feared becoming something no longer human. I knew that if I wanted to be strong enough to never feel powerless again, I would have to reach divinity. But what price would I have to pay for that?
I didn't know.
⌈Hahahahahaha!⌋ Virgil suddenly burst out laughing, laughing so hard that even his eyes began to water. The scene was oddly amusing. A talking wolf laughing like a human felt like something straight out of a cartoon.
⌈If that is truly what you believe, then let's make a bet.⌋
I listened carefully. "Sure."
⌈I will accompany you through your journey. That includes teaching you about the powers I gave you. I will watch your ups and downs, your happy and sad moments. Think of this deity as your companion, so be grateful.⌋
"Why do you keep speaking in third person?"
Virgil shot me a glare and continued anyway. ⌈If you manage to not lose your humanity along the way and successfully ascend to godhood, I will aid you in all your endeavors.⌋
That sounded like a pretty good deal. Help from a god was more than I could ever ask for.
I nodded in agreement.
"And if I lose?"
⌈If you lose…⌋ A wicked, evil grin formed on Virgil's face, sending chills down my spine. ⌈You will give me your soul.⌋
Virgil sounded like the devil himself.
"What? My soul? That is absurd!" I protested. There was no way in hell I would give my soul away.
His avatar was definitely right about gods not being friendly.
⌈You are scared? There will be no deal if you don't accept my conditions. I will be watching your whole boring life anyway. That's the least you could do.⌋ Virgil snorted.
That really was the least I could do!
Still, giving my soul felt like death itself. "What are you even going to do with my soul?"
⌈Probably turn you into a servant. It's a bit lonely here. I might need some company.⌋
I scowled at his reasoning.
⌈Don't worry. I wouldn't even torture you or anything like that. I'm not like you humans.⌋
I frowned and crossed my arms, thinking deeply.
The bet was tempting and dangerous. If I won, I would gain the help of the most mysterious god to ever exist whenever I needed it. But if I lost, I would lose my soul entirely.
I wanted to refuse. It was dangerous, and who knew if what he said was even true. I couldn't trust his words. I had no idea what the deity in front of me was truly thinking.
But I had to take it. If I wanted to achieve my goal, I needed this.
I looked up, met his comic eyes, and said, "I accept."
⌈Good. I am looking forward to it. Prove me wrong.⌋ Virgil said with a grin.
"I won't, don't worry," I replied with a smile.
"Now will you unlock the cosmos affinity already?" I asked impatiently.
⌈Don't rush. And I don't need to unlock anything.⌋ He said flatly.
"Huh? What do you mean?" I said, clearly confused. "I thought I had to meet some kind of requirement in order to use it. Wasn't it you who had to unlock it for me?"
⌈You are mistaken. The moment I, or rather my avatar, blessed you with my affinity, you were already able to use it.⌋ Virgil yawned and stretched his body. ⌈You just didn't command it.⌋
"Command it? How?"
⌈The cosmos isn't just any affinity. You should already know that. It is different compared to other affinities that simply work the moment you are blessed. Sure, you have awakened it, but did it accept you?⌋
"I didn't know I had to be accepted by an affinity. Does it have a will or something?"
Sounds like a bitch, not gonna lie.
⌈It can be a bitch sometimes.⌋ Virgil stretched lazily. ⌈That's why you need a command to bring it forth.⌋
"A command? Like ordering it? And it'll suddenly pop up?"
⌈Yes and no. Just create a command and see if it likes it or not. If it does, it will show up. If it doesn't, well, sucks to be you.⌋
So you're telling me I have to deal with an affinity that's on its period? What a hassle. I sighed.
"So I have to try things like 'please show up' or 'abracadabra'?" I said, making exaggerated gestures with my arms.
⌈Yeah, but I don't think it'll like those kinds of commands. Oh, and another reason you need a command is because you are too weak to use it without one.⌋ Virgil said as his tail swayed to the side. ⌈The command allows the cosmic laws to decide how much your body can handle, and then it gives you only what won't kill you. If you try to call upon it without a command, it would straight up kill you.⌋
Virgil opened his left paw and lifted it slightly. A cosmic-like energy appeared above it, dark bluish in color with tiny stars embedded within. It didn't flicker like a flame but flowed smoothly, like a liquid.
⌈Only when you reach divinity might you try to call upon it without a command, but I wouldn't recommend it. You should at least reach my level of strength. Heh, if you can.⌋
I had to reach his strength just to fully control it? I guess because it is so overpowered, it needs restrictions like this.
Staring at the cosmos in his paw, I asked, "What are these cosmic laws?"
⌈Simply the laws that rule the cosmos. Something I created.⌋ Virgil shrugged. ⌈You ask too many questions. You don't need to know that yet. Command the affinity.⌋
I clicked my tongue and tried forming commands.
I focused inward and said, "Come forth."
Nothing happened.
"Noble Phantasm?"
Nothing happened again.
A vein popped on my forehead. It was really starting to get on my nerves.
I kept shouting different commands for hours, but the damned affinity didn't react at all.
⌈Kekeke. Tsk, tsk, tsk. You can't even command it? You are disappointing me, my successor.⌋ Virgil laughed endlessly, now lying on his back with his paws resting on his stomach.
He is somehow even more annoying than Arthur, I thought, recalling Arthur's suffering grin.
Well, I couldn't think of any command that this damned affinity would accept. I had already spammed the most iconic anime and movie lines, but nothing worked. I might as well kill myself.
That was just a figure of speech, by the way.
Sighing deeply, I decided to try one last time. Copying other people's lines clearly wouldn't work, so I came up with one of my own. It sounded cringey, but whatever.
I closed my eyes, lifted my right hand, and opened my palm. Then I said:
"Let it breathe."
The moment those words left my mouth, I felt something shift inside my body, and then it was released.
Even Virgil stopped laughing.
A cosmic-like energy erupted from my hand, causing it to shake from sheer power.
Such power, I did it!, I thought as I stared at the dark blue, star-filled energy resting in my palm.
⌈Beautiful, isn't it?⌋
"Yeah…" I said with a smile.
⌈Of course. Expect nothing less from this deity.⌋
Shut up.