Chapter 661: Awakening of the Gods
“Another day?” Dark said with some surprise.
Patricia Boline nodded slightly and said, “After being possessed by the ‘Underworld Fire,’ one emits a unique aura that only the holder can perceive. Although I couldn’t sense this in you, it was indeed so at that time. When that person approached, we immediately sensed each other and became obsessed with dueling him.”
After understanding this, Dark calmly stated, “I see, and I wasn’t possessed.”
Patricia Boline looked surprised, “But you’re not—”
Dark stretched out his hand, and gray flames emerged from his palm, burning fiercely.
Patricia Boline instantly felt the unique aura of the ‘Underworld Fire,’ but then she became even more astonished, “How did you do that?”
Dark smiled faintly and closed his fingers, containing the ‘Underworld Fire’ within his palm, “By making it submit.”
Patricia Boline: “…”
Dark changed the subject and asked, “What about you? How did you conceal your ‘Underworld Fire’? Since you were aware of its presence, you wouldn’t let it leak out, right?”
Patricia Boline sighed, and gray flames spilled from her eyes, like eye shadow, fluttering.
She said, “I had some luck. Back when I was in the capital city, there was a sage around.”
“Sage?” Dark suddenly said, “You’re also part of Synes?”
“Yeah,” Patricia Boline smiled, “Indeed, Synes, the city of knowledge, is where I was born. During holidays, I hitched a ride with the sage group. Thanks to them, I wasn’t affected by the ‘Underworld Fire.’ Now, I’m in a relatively stable symbiotic state. The sages say this isn’t a bad thing.”
Synes really produces a lot of sages…
Dark sighed, “If one could perfectly control the ‘Underworld Fire,’ it would indeed be a useful tool. We could even consider it a special spell.”
Patricia Boline nodded and said, “The ‘Underworld Fire’ only stimulates a desire for dueling and doesn’t devour one’s self. Even if defeated in a duel ceremony, one would only lose memories and a small portion of dueling abilities. Such punishment is insignificant compared to truly malicious curses.”
Dark nodded, “That’s true on the surface.”
Patricia Boline then solemnly added, “It seems you’ve noticed too. The sages all agree that the real danger of the ‘Underworld Fire’ lies beyond its apparent effects. For example, if all holders could sense each other and devour the ‘Underworld Fire’ upon victory, it implies a tendency towards unification. Left unchecked, they might merge into a single entity. And that entity is the true danger!”
Dark frowned slightly at this revelation.
Previously, he was concerned about the ‘Underworld Fire’s’ breeding nature and the social chaos it caused.
Though similar in form, his understanding differed subtly from Patricia Boline’s.
But now, thinking along her lines and combining his findings, he realized some critical issues.
His tone grew increasingly serious, “So, there’s a dominant consciousness guiding these ‘Underworld Fires’… Their ultimate union will awaken this consciousness?”
Patricia Boline looked at him for a moment before saying, “The sages believe the opening of the ‘Underworld Gate’ led to this. A powerful consciousness from the underworld attempted to sneak into the human world through this method, reversing death to life. Such an existence is usually called… a god!”
Dark’s eyes flickered, “A god returning from the underworld, how should we refer to it?”
Patricia Boline replied, “We usually call such gods ‘Underworld Gods.'”
“Underworld Gods?” Dark said, “Humans have just escaped the long war with demons, yet now face threats from underworld gods. The world cannot find peace.”
Patricia Boline sipped her black tea and sighed, “I read history; it feels like the end of the gods is imminent, yet the gods seem restless. It’s uncertain whether this is good or bad.”
Dark said, “Drawing from history, once a god shows signs of revival, others will follow. It’s a trend beyond human control.”
Patricia Boline added, “The sages share your view; they’ve been preparing for months.”
But Dark shifted his tone again, “Have the sages considered how to stop the first Underworld God’s awakening?”
Patricia Boline said with a hint of helplessness, “Of course they have. The simplest approach is to prevent the fusion of these ‘Underworld Fires.’ But we don’t know how much ‘Underworld Fire’ the god needs to revive—perhaps a third, half, or even all of it. We don’t even know how much ‘Underworld Fire’ has escaped.”
Dark pondered, “In that case, actively collecting ‘Underworld Fire’ won’t work.”
Patricia Boline continued, “Having a small amount isn’t bad; it could make one an earthly proxy for the ‘Underworld God’ if fortunate. But holding a large amount, becoming a vessel for its revival, would be disastrous.”
Dark nodded, “True. Why did you deliberately reveal the aura of ‘Underworld Fire’ when you came over?”
Patricia Boline focused her gaze and whispered, “During the masquerade event on Halloween night, I sensed some ‘Underworld Fire.’ But it vanished quickly, and I haven’t found it since.”
Dark said, “So, besides us, there are other ‘Underworld Fire’ holders in the academy?”
Patricia Boline replied, “If the aura didn’t come from your ‘Underworld Fire.'”
Dark was curious, “I didn’t summon ‘Underworld Fire’ during the masquerade, but I used ‘Underworld Soul Ring’ in previous duels. Why no reaction from you?”
Patricia Boline shook her head, “Too far.”
“Got it,” Dark nodded.
The ‘Underworld Soul Ring’ is a secondary refinement of ‘Underworld Fire’ and not the fire itself. Plus, even ‘Underworld Fire’ has a sensing range. Too far away or hidden, and it’s undetectable.
If there’s a third ‘Underworld Fire’ holder in Saint Maryann Academy, and this person remains undiscovered, they must have methods to conceal their aura.
…
Dark and Patricia Boline talked for a long time until lunchtime.
Despite Dark inviting Patricia Boline for lunch, she declined, saying it was a joke and left with, “I don’t want my peaceful school life to turn into hell.”
After she left, Dark began to think alone.
Today, he likely alerted the third person, making it harder to find them.
However, he was more concerned with the progress of the “Awakening of the Gods.”
His deep discussion with Patricia Boline reinforced his prophecy interpretation regarding Eudora.
“Perhaps this process is faster than we imagined…”
He carefully analyzed and realized he had encountered three related events within a year and a half.
First, the awakening of the Moon Goddess, then the Underworld God, and finally the ‘Heart of the Gods’ in the dungeon!
“No, there’s more!”
Dark suddenly remembered the temple dedicated to the Sun and Moon Goddess mentioned by Sona Montiel Farley. Also, the frescoes in the ‘Golden Country’ might be related to the gods.
“Counting them, there are five already!”
“Just me has encountered five related events…”
“And with such a vast world, how many more are happening elsewhere?”
Dark frowned.
In the original game, no ‘Awakening of the Gods’ occurred until the end.
Could something accelerate this process?
He quickly took out paper and pen, noting his thoughts, then left the clubroom with his notebook.
At noon, most students headed to the cafeteria.
Dark went straight to the Lotus Pavilion, using the teleport hub to enter Traveler’s Street.
Soon, he arrived at the branch of the Public Dueling Society and found Eve.
With fewer people at lunch, Eve was preparing to close temporarily and eat nearby. She was intercepted by Dark.
Thinking it over, Dark wasn’t in a rush and went to the restaurant with Eve.
After chatting about shop-related matters, they quickly ate and returned.
Then, Dark ordered her to use the ‘Soul Synergy Spell’ to connect with Eve or Claire on the other side.
Soon…
Claire Kate’s projection appeared on the wall through the ‘Soul Synergy Spell.’
Dark looked at the projection and said, “Good afternoon, Aunt Claire.”
Claire blinked and asked, “Is there something urgent? I’m in the office now, and apart from Irina, no one else is around.”
Dark nodded and recounted what he had summarized.
Claire, initially relaxed, was about to share her joy of establishing the Public Dueling Society’s capital base, but her expression gradually turned serious as she listened.
Then she frowned angrily, “Those old scoundrels… those sages, hiding such crucial information?”
“Cough, cough.” Dark pretended to cough, “They might have other ideas.”
Claire turned and said, “This matter is very important. I need to find Alvaraite right away. Do you have any additional information?”
Dark shook his head, “That’s all I know.”
“Study hard, don’t worry too much.” Claire stood up immediately, “In short, even if the sky falls, your mom will handle it. If she can’t, I’ll step in… well, if I can’t, you’ll have to take over. No problem with a bit more pressure?”
Dark: “Shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Good.” Claire instantly smiled brightly.
Then she winked at Irina, and the projection cut off.
Dark asked, “Eve, did they leave?”
Eve nodded, “Yes, Master.”
Dark nodded slightly and suddenly said, “Don’t overthink it. Don’t spread what you heard. This matter might not be as serious as it seems.”
Eve smiled, “I have the discipline.”
Dark nodded, “Then I’ll head back. Goodbye.”
Eve raised her hand and scratched, “Goodbye, Master.”
Dark walked out of the shop immediately and rushed to the Lotus Pavilion, returning to the castle through the teleport hub, heading toward the Vice Principal’s office.
He felt Professor Shylph and Professor Kazel must have noticed this.
After all, Professor Metia understood Eudora’s prophecy better than he did.
Professor Kazel spends all his time in the dungeon, possibly considering this aspect.
Thinking of Professor Kazel’s research, he felt a subtle reassurance.
Sometimes, he had to admit.
Professor Kazel’s insights were more reliable than Principal Altair’s.
But then, Principal Altair is often absent from the academy. Could he be busy with related matters?
The dispute between Prince Charles and Princess Eliza seems to be decreasing.
Archbishop Gail Norris rarely appears in newspapers—usually, he enjoys being in the spotlight.
The Church might have detected something during the ‘Saints’ Judgment.’
Seemingly overnight,
When he noticed,
The entire world revolved around the “Awakening of the Gods.”
Dark walked through the castle, the dazzling afternoon sunlight shining through the castle gates, casting his shadow longer and narrower.
Shortly after, he knocked on Professor Shylph’s office door.
Lucky timing.
Professor Shylph was inside.
“Mm, Dark, what’s up?” Professor Shylph, who was handling official business at the desk, looked up slightly.
Dark closed the door behind him and shared the information and thoughts he had gathered.
