'So the numbers simply measure my progress. But…'

A question still bugged him.

'How do I progress from here?'

Would the fragment simply do the work and fuse his mana and will together, or did he have to actively train? If the answer was the latter, then how would he do said training?

'Let's check out the others first.'

The others were just like the first. Intellectual aspect measured his mind and perception. Will authority measured the power of his will.

'It's not 100% yet because it's still fusing my powers.'

His presence was simply how his will affected others. The next were his katana arts.

'They're all very low. Hmm.'

It was hard to determine why this was so. After all, merging will with mana shouldn't change his mastery with the life weapon's arts.

Resolving to come back to it, he focused on elemental integration and met the same thing. Even his elements were being integrated into his will.

The last section, World Abilities, was simply a culmination of every single one of his mana and will centered abilities. Upon checking them, Atticus could see that every single one of them was being integrated with his will.

Soon enough, his will would dominate all.

Finally, with everything done, Atticus released a breath.

'It's a good thing I decided to check my status first. It made me realize the first thing I need to tackle.'

Implications. This was what Atticus was interested in discovering. What were the implications of everything he'd just figured out?

'The main energy source of Eldoralth is mana. If my will integrates all my mana, would I still be able to control the mana and the world?'

What would happen to all his abilities? He was connected to the world and its energy; did it mean mana would cease to exist in Eldoralth?

Anorah had mentioned none of this, which made him question if this only affected him, or all fragment bearers.

Regardless, these were questions Atticus needed answers to before he proceeded.

And so, to begin his seclusion, Atticus set out to answer each of these questions.

And in order to do this, he eventually deactivated his will around the world and focused on himself.

Time passed in a blur.

…

'They won't stop coming.'

Sirius Ravenstein stood alone atop Wall Novareth, at the northern side of the city. Despite the sprawling scene of the expanse, his eyes were fixed on the battle raging below.

Men donned in sleek suits with glowing crimson gems embedded on their chests tore through the ranks of Void-like creatures.

From a glance, it was obvious that they were winning, but there was only a frown on Sirius's face.

'They're getting stronger.'

Two months had passed since the voidlings had first appeared. During this time, Sirius, along with other defenders tasked with battling the voidlings, had watched as they slowly grew in power.

Armies that usually took minutes to decimate were now taking hours. Sirius found it odd. Very odd.

'I might have to inform one of them.'

"Sirius! My old friend!"

The ground beside him suddenly rippled, and a large man's frame rose from the mud. Sirius sighed.

"When will you start moving like a normal person, Nathan? I've told you to stop sneaking up on me like that."

"Haha, what's the use of power if we don't use it?"

"Use it to fight. To protect. Not to creep around like a snoop."

"Alright, alright, I hear you."

Nathan cleared his throat and turned toward the battle unfolding below.

"The fight's almost done, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Vile creatures, they just keep appearing without end. People are starting to get restless—"

"What do you want, Nathan?"

Sirius locked eyes with him, causing the large man to smile sheepishly.

"You know me too well, old friend."

"Of course I do. And stop making us sound older than we are. We haven't even known each other for a century."

Sirius had, after all, grown up with Nathan. He knew his friend better than anyone.

"You always act like an ass licker when you want something. Spill."

"Ahem! You make it sound so vulgar."

When Sirius kept staring, Nathan sighed. "Alright, alright, I'll spill. I… want to host an event—"

"No."

"…You didn't even ask what kind of event."

"I don't need to."

Nathan crossed his arms. "Now that's just rude."

Sirius exhaled. "Fine. What sort of event?"

"It's an inter world competition! Well, technically we're one world now, but you get the gist. A tournament between the different worlds of Eldoralth! Isn't that great?"

"No."

"No, it's incredible—?"

"No. We're not doing it."

"C'mon, Sirius, it's for the sake of Eldoralth! We've never been more divided than we are now. So many people sharing one world, yet no unity. This competition would strengthen the bond between our people."

"Save the speech and tell me why you really want to do this."

"It's not a speech, I—"

At Sirius's knowing look, Nathan deflated.

"Alright, fine. Business has been a bit… slow."

"Define 'a bit.'"

"Things have been stagnant! These vile voidlings are killing trade. Merchants can't travel between regions. Caravans avoid the mineral routes. Even the inter-district ports are operating at half capacity. I'm bleeding money here."

"And the event?"

"Events mean happy people, crowds laughing, spending, celebrating. And happy people spend more. It's good for morale, and even better for business!"

Sirius understood his frustration. The voidlings appeared unpredictably, sometimes right in populated zones, forcing traders, explorers, and miners to halt all movement for the sake of their safety.

But still, Sirius shook his head.

"We can't afford distractions right now. Atticus has gone into seclusion and ordered not to be disturbed. The same goes for the other Eldorians. Everyone's training, leaving only us paragons to protect the world."

After Atticus's retreat, the Eldorians had followed suit, leaving the paragons who were natives of Eldoralth scattered across its lands to handle the governance.

With every potential threat bound by mana contract, rebellion was impossible. The only true problem was the voidlings.

"The voidlings grow stronger every day. We can't risk it."

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