Chapter 171: Omniscience in Marvel 165
165
…
As soon as the words fell, Gaia's Presence disappeared from Leucadius' perception. While she was right there and he could see and hear her, he couldn't perceive her.
'Impressive.' he thought to himself and marveled at her ability.
With Leucadius' level of power, being able to perceive someone entering the Sol Solar System was as easy as perceiving a person entering your enclosed room.
Yet in the face of Gaia's presence he felt so lost. 'I wonder how it'll be like fighting her…' he had an idle thought that disappeared as soon as it appeared.
"You've really brought an anomaly to me this time Leuca, not even Aspect put me through this level of confusion." Gaia said but her presence didn't return, leading Leucadius to know she wasn't done yet.
"Due to certain…ambiguous reasons, a concept of divinity is latched onto his Soul, however, channels for Cosmic Energy runs through him and…damn." Gaia cursed with an impressed tone.
Leucadius raised an eyebrow at her and quipped. "I didn't know you were keeping up with the times."
Gaia scoffed and cast him a disdainful glance. "You really think I've been slacking, Leuca? Just because I don't meddle in your endless dramas doesn't mean I'm clueless."
Leucadius smirked, crossing his arms. "Oh? Is that what you call marathoning Stellar Ronin Saga for centuries? Face it, Gaia, you've gone full recluse."
Leucadius was the creator of the Divine Web, every God's browsing history was known to him..and so was Gaia's.
Her eyes narrowed, radiating smug superiority. "Stellar Ronin Saga is a masterpiece. You wouldn't understand. And for your information, I've broadened my horizons - fantasy, isekai, even slice of life. Honestly, the ideas mortals come up with these days are brilliant. They owe me royalties for borrowing my concepts."
"Royalties? You'd bankrupt the entire industry," Leucadius quipped, shaking his head. "Let me guess, Primordial Goddess by title, but really, you're the Multiversal Otaku Queen."
Gaia smirked, leaning closer. "And proud of it. You think it's laziness, but it's cultural immersion. I've learned plenty, like the unstoppable power of friendship and the undeniable truth that plot armor is real. Oh, and waifus are apparently a cosmic necessity."
Leucadius pinched the bridge of his nose, a laugh escaping despite himself. "You're impossible."
"Admit it, you're impressed," Gaia said as her grin turned wicked. "You could use some of this wisdom, you know. Watch Reborn as the Villain's Big Brother, it's got sibling dynamics, power struggles, your thing."
"Absolutely not," he snapped, waving her off. "I'm not falling into your NEET spiral."
Gaia laughed, light but sharp, her presence finally returning in full. "Your loss. Now, back to this anomaly. Let's wrap this up quickly, I've got a Mythical Mage Academy finale to catch. Had to stop since I felt you approaching."
Leucadius stared at her, equal parts amused and exasperated. Of all the cosmic beings in existence, none baffled him like Gaia. "You're a paradox," he muttered under his breath.
"And don't you forget it," she shot back with a wink. "Anyways…in the words of the ignorant mortals under the Xian's region…He's trash. His spirit root is fragmented."
"Ooh. So he has the main character template?"
"Hmm. You're not all that lost after all." Gaia nodded, impressed at Leucadius' words.
"While he will lack in terms of Divinity, making him trash in the Divine circle, he'll make up for it in Cosmic Energy. Coupled with the cheat he inherited from you and the energy being recycled in there, I'd say he's on his way to surpassing you…" Gaia said but paused and gave Leucadius a look over. "This you."
"Ah." Was all Leucadius said in acknowledgement as he remained silent for a moment, processing Gaia's words. "Surpass me, you say?" he finally murmured, his tone unreadable.
Gaia shrugged, "Don't take it personally, Leuca. You're the bar he's destined to overcome. That's how these things work. You should be flattered."
Leucadius let out a dry laugh. "Flattered that my son is destined to leave me in the dust? Sure, I'll celebrate that milestone."
"Don't pout," Gaia teased, smirking. "You're not exactly helpless. Besides, this isn't just about strength, is it? His path will require more than brute force and raw potential. You of all people should know the price of balancing power with purpose."
Leucadius's expression hardened, his amusement vanishing. "You're right. His…'fragmented spirit root' complicates things. Cosmic Energy might make up for his lack of divinity, but it won't come easily. He'll have to master control at a level which took me decades to master."
And that was something considering his Absolute Intelligence back then.
"Which is why I'm saying he could surpass you," Gaia interrupted. "Don't think of it as a bad thing. Think of it as him continuing your legacy. He'll refine what you've started, and who knows? Maybe he'll do it without the… messiness you bring to the table."
Leucadius shot her a glare. "Messiness?"
"Don't act like you don't know," she said, waving him off. "Your methods are effective but... chaotic, to put it nicely. Aethon might bring some order to that chaos. Or," she added with a sly grin, "he might out-chaos you. Either way, it'll be fun to watch."
Leucadius sighed, rubbing his temples. "If you're done being cryptic, do you have any actual advice? Or are you just here to critique my parenting before it's even begun?"
Gaia chuckled, a rare warmth in her laughter. "Relax, Leuca. I'm not here to judge. My advice? Give him room to grow. Teach him, guide him, but let him find his own way. Don't try to mold him into your image. He's already inherited enough of your quirks."
Leucadius arched his brow. "Quirks?"
"Stubbornness, arrogance, a flair for the dramatic," she listed, ticking them off on her fingers. "But also loyalty, determination, and an annoying tendency to do the right thing, even when it's inconvenient."
He huffed, though there was no real anger behind it. "I'll keep that in mind."
Gaia nodded, her presence dimming slightly as if preparing to leave. "Good. Now, I really do have a finale to catch. Try not to break anything while I'm gone."
Leucadius watched her fade, her last words lingering in the air like an echo.
He turned back to Aethon, who seemed unaware of the weight of the conversation. The boy's future loomed ahead like an uncharted expanse, filled with both promise and peril.
"Surpass me, huh?" Leucadius muttered to himself, a small smile forming on his lips. "We'll see about that."
With a wave of his hand, he summoned a shimmering field of Cosmic Energy, encasing Aethon within it and pulling him out of the dimension and into Gaia's dimension.
…
The chamber shone faintly with the sigils inscribed on the floor around them as Leucadius stood over his son, his arms crossed, his tone calm but commanding.
"Cosmic Energy is the foundation of divinity," Leucadius explained. "It draws from the raw forces of the universe. For those with divine origins, like you, this energy seeps into your soul, awakening the potential of your lineage…in your case, the six forces, Mind, Soul, Power, Time, Space, and Reality. These are manifestations of this energy. Your task is to choose the one that resonates most with you."
Aethon nodded, his nerves settling as he closed his eyes. "What happens once I choose?"
"Once awakened, it will guide your divinity's growth," Leucadius said. "Remember, pick the color you feel most attracted to. Trust your instincts."
With a wave of his hand, the sigils flared, their light consuming Aethon's form and pulling him into the ritual.
…
Aethon found himself in a vast, silent expanse of black. Then, six radiant stars appeared, each pulsating with a unique hue, illuminating the void.
As he observed them, information on their characteristics surfaced in his mind.
The Golden Star (Mind), grants the ability to manipulate thoughts, create psychic barriers, and delve into the consciousness of others.
The Crimson Star (Reality) grants the ability to alter existence, change matter, and defy natural laws.
The Azure Star (Space) granted the ability of opening portals across a vast space, the bending of distances, and the manipulation of spatial dimensions.
The Emerald Star (Time) grants the ability to freeze, reverse time and create an endless loops of eternity.
The Silver Star (Soul) was gentle and radiant, with it, unveiled emotions laid bare, the essence of life touched and healed, and spirits are commanded to rise or rest.
The Violet Star (Power) blazed with unmatched intensity, displaying unrelenting strength, destruction that knew no limits, and energy channeled into raw, overwhelming might.
Aethon stared, mesmerized by the stars. Each one seemed alive, its energy calling to him in whispers only he could hear. Before he could act, an ethereal figure appeared, a being with an uncanny resemblance to himself, cloaked in light.
"Who are you?" Aethon asked calmly. He wasn't on guard as he knew he had his father's and grandma's protection.
"I am your guide," the being said, its voice like a soft echo.
Aethon nodded. "Where am I?"
"This is your space of awakening."
Aethon glanced at the stars, his gaze lingering on their brilliance. "Are those my divinity?"
"Yes and no," the guide replied. "They are yours to command, but only one can be claimed for now. The rest are beyond your reach."
Suddenly, the space quaked, cracks splintering across the void. The guide's expression hardened. "The six forces are too powerful for this space to sustain. You must choose one. Quickly."
Aethon's mind raced, his father's words echoing: Pick the color you feel most attracted to.
Narrowing his eyes, he studied the stars. Each one called to him, but the violet star pulsed stronger, its energy resonating with his core.
"That one," Aethon said, pointing to the violet star.
The others dimmed, their light retreating as the violet star expanded, its radiance calming the space.
The guide nodded approvingly. "You have chosen the Force of Power. Now, watch."
The violet star began to shift, revealing images of what lay ahead for Aethon.
He saw himself commanding storms of energy, obliterating mountains with a single strike, and channeling strength so vast it shook entire realms.
The power surged through his veins, limitless yet volatile, demanding control.
"Pay attention," the guide said softly. "Most gods forget much of what they witness here."
Aethon nodded and focused, his mind absorbing every detail, the intricate flow of energy, the connection between power and control, and the consequences of unrestrained force.
…
As the visions faded, Aethon felt a pull. His body grew weightless, as though he were being lifted from the space. He glanced at the guide, "What's happening?"
"Do not struggle," the guide said calmly. "Your awakening is complete. It's time for you to return."
The pull intensified, dragging Aethon upward.
He reached out instinctively, but the guide remained still, his expression serene. "Remember what you've seen. This is only the beginning."
With a final surge, the pull became irresistible. Aethon's vision blurred, the space fading around him until he felt himself plunging back into his body.
…
Aethon's eyes snapped open, glowing faintly with violet energy. The sigils around him dimmed, and Leucadius smiled pridefully.
"Which did you choose?" his father asked.
"The Divinity of Power," Aethon replied confidently.
Leucadius nodded, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "Good. You've taken your first step. Now, let's see what you can do with it."
***
A/N: Read up the Rule of Power from the Auxiliary chapter. His power would be based on that for now.)