Kapitel 21: The Miraculous Crystal

Ethan's POV

"What? How can this happen? No... how could such a thing exist in this world?! Nooooo!" the demon's voice echoed in my mind, its once-powerful tone now trembling with terror. The fear in its cries was palpable, but before I could fully process what was happening, its desperate screams were abruptly silenced.

I lay on the ground, my chest heaving as I tried to catch my breath. My limbs trembled, not from exhaustion, but from the sheer shock of what had just transpired. Slowly, shakily, I managed to sit up, still dazed by the sudden turn of events. The oppressive presence of the demon was gone. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that something monumental had just occurred. Determined to find answers, I steadied myself and closed my eyes, focusing once more on my consciousness.

Darkness enveloped me, the void within my mind rolling like storm clouds. In this boundless space, a faint white spot of light flickered weakly, trembling as if it had endured a nightmare beyond imagination. Instinctively, I understood that light was me. It was my soul, fragile yet unbroken.

As I stared at the flickering light, the darkness around me began to shift. Suddenly, a stunning seven-coloured glow flooded the void, its radiance so pure and vibrant that it seemed to banish every shadow in its wake. The warmth of this light wrapped around my soul like a protective cocoon, steadying its tremors and filling me with an unshakable sense of safety.

I looked up with my inner sight, and my breath caught in awe. Suspended in the vastness of the void was a massive crystal, its shape perfectly octagonal and its surface gleaming with an otherworldly brilliance. Intricate, mythical patterns adorned its faces, each etched line glowing faintly with a surreal, multicoloured light. The crystal seemed alive, pulsating with an aura of timeless power and serenity.

At this moment, I realized that it had saved me by vanquishing the sinister demon face. As the oppressive silence faded, a majestic yet monotonous voice resonated within the depths of my soul space:

[Successor has awakened his mana veins and gained the right to interact with the Eterna Nexus.]

[After waiting for billions of years, the Eterna Nexus welcomes a new owner. I, Auralis Prime, am at your service. To fully enjoy the benefits of the Eterna Nexus, the successor must complete trials and fulfil specific requirements. If you understand, please give your acknowledgment.]

I stood flabbergasted at the profound voice reverberating through my consciousness. It was unmistakably originating from the crystal, yet I instinctively knew it was not an enemy. As my thoughts aligned to agree, the voice returned:

[Successor's soul waves containing positive consent have been received. For entering the first stage of divine ascension, you shall receive a one time free reward: a top-tier overlord category ascension technique tailored to your unique affinities.]

Moments later, a dazzling golden chart flew out of the Eterna Nexus crystal, unfurling before my inner vision. Its title gleamed with divine authority:

[Eternal Eclipse Ascension: A supreme art enabling the wielder to create eternal eclipses, enveloping galaxies in darkness and controlling their fates.]

I inhaled sharply, stunned by the sheer grandeur of the description. Despite its seemingly impossible claim, a deep part of me believed in it, perhaps influenced by the Eterna Nexus's divine aura or the ease with which it obliterated the ancient, ominous demon that had attacked me. My excitement swelled, and upon mentally acknowledging acceptance, the luminous text detached from the golden chart and merged with the flickering orb of light within my soul space.

Suddenly, a surge of overwhelming energy erupted in my mind, knocking me unconscious.

When I woke up, a string of cryptic black characters hovered persistently in my consciousness, as though they had always been a part of me. Their presence filled me with an inexplicable sense of familiarity and purpose. Without hesitation, I immersed myself in the practice of the Eternal Eclipse Ascension technique. It guided me to channel dark elemental energy to repair my fractured mana veins and extend them further, edging me closer to breaking into the Elemental Mage Realm.

For an entire week, I laboured tirelessly in this foreign darkness, where day and night blended indistinguishably. Despite the difficulty, my injuries healed with astonishing speed, and my mana veins regained their full strength. By the end of this arduous week, I marvelled at the profound capabilities of this top-tier overlord category art.

Grandfather's words echoed in my mind, 'Cracked mana veins are nearly impossible to repair. Even with the rarest elixirs and the legendary high elves' assistance, it takes years, during which magic must be entirely forsaken.' I assumed that my cracked mana veins must have resulted from the long and dangerous space travel traversing continents with my frail and weak body.

Yet here I was healed and rejuvenated in a mere week! The only plausible explanation was the miracle of the Eternal Eclipse Ascension technique and its mysterious, divine powers.

Determined and filled with newfound hope, I finally rose to my feet, albeit shakily, and surveyed my surroundings. My journey on this foreign land, was about to begin.