OLD-WORLD EXTRA-Chapter 126: Third Step

Emir stood at the bottom of the barrel, a weak figure within the Celestial Hierarchy.

As an Elite Ascendant, his position held no significance in the grand scheme of things, just one of the many billions that populated the universe.

However, he had something that others didn't.

His lineage.

The blood of the Eternal Star clan.

Which granted him the benefits of a Seraphim being and made him many times as strong as those his age.

But now, with the discovery of the well of eternity, he understood that his existence had caused many changes throughout the world.

The Elite themselves had somehow gained access to another well of eternity, giving their children at the academy a similar level of strength compared to the current Emir.

And so, he hungered for greater power and knowledge, to be an actual force of power on Earth.

Emir yearned to transcend his current status and ascend to new heights.

And the well of eternity beckoned him with its promise of giving him said power, constantly inviting him to its pools, never letting go.

Many days had passed since he immersed himself in the main pool of Aether.

During that time, he had remained in a state of constant absorption, his mind and body intertwined with the Aether of the well.

The Weaver's Veil aspect, his primary focus, had consumed his every waking moment as he delved into its intricacies, seeking to unlock more of its potential.

He began to feel the Weaver's Veil coursing through his veins more clearly, intertwining with his very being.

It had become an extension of himself.

A symbiotic relationship between celestial and aspect, but he had yet to understand its capabilities and possible uses.

He had reached the limits of his current sub-rank as an Elite, and he sought to progress further along the path of the Celestial Hierarchy.

The pool had revealed glimpses of his path toward his next destination-the knight sub- rank, the penultimate step before the status of a Paladin.

But he felt stuck on the border of ascending to the next sub-rank as if he needed to step forward once more but felt unable to do so.

It was almost as if his body was stuck to the ground, unmoving.

So, he knew that his journey in the well of eternity was far from over.

Suddenly, Silent's voice resonated within Emir's mind, a guiding presence in his journey:

[Emir, you've shown incredible focus so far, but your path continues.]

[Your celestial essence is waiting to be harnessed to its fullest extent.]

[To achieve the next sub-rank, you must understand Aether more clearly, which is something that I can safely say that you've figured out already.]

Emir nodded without saying a word.

He was quiet throughout the entire time he spent there.

He wasn't tired, nor was he mentally drained, and he wasn't generally affected in any negative way.

Emir simply didn't feel like talking.

A single word out of his mouth might disrupt the intense concentration he was going through, it was as if he was in a trance.

While he ventured forth, leaving behind the pool he spent many weeks in, the golden light of the realm bathed him in its glow.

His footsteps echoed with purpose, each step sounding out different melodies.

The pools of Aether shimmered before him, each one holding the potential to enhance his abilities and help unveil a new aspect of his celestial essence.

Emir's focus was no longer solely on the Weaver's Veil.

He sought to expand his understanding of his other aspect, embracing the Aerialis alongside his primary affinity.

This aspect would grant him command over his body, increasing his strength in imaginable ways.

With each pool he encountered, he felt his connection to Aether deepen.

It resonated with his essence, intertwining and amplifying his power.

He harnessed the Weaver's Veil to manipulate the Aether around him, shaping it into patterns that danced in harmony with the wind.

Then he used that Aether to be absorbed in his body, using his Aerialis aspect to constantly strengthen certain parts of his body.

From something as small as the nails on his fingers to the entirety of his upper body.

And as he progressed along the well, his stature began to change, unknowingly to him.

It was all because of the constant, almost unnoticeable changes occurring in his body with every passing day.

Since his Aether core was continuously enhanced along with the entirety of his inner organs and muscles.

Weeks turned into months while Emir journeyed through the well of eternity.

Each pool he encountered unveiled ideas of new aspects.

Each of them honed his knowledge of Aether.

And each had brought him closer to his ultimate goal.

Soon he approached the end of the realm.

Emir had finally returned full circle to where he started.

The pool where the fountain of liquid Aether surged forth.

At that moment, he marveled at the transformation he had undergone, only now noticing it.

He had surpassed the limits of his previous sub-rank and had long since become a knight- ranked Ascendant.

He also had gone past the halfway point to becoming a Paladin-ranked Ascendant, as it appeared to be awaiting him on the horizon.

With a sense of calm anticipation, he prepared himself for the final steps of his ascent.

The pool before him, a manifestation of Aether manipulation, called to him.

Emir took a deep breath, his hand poised to touch the surface of the pool.

He knew that this moment would shape his destiny, propelling him towards the status of a

Paladin.

A silent breath left him as he immersed himself in the pool.

His entire being was enveloped by the transcendental aspects it held.

During his walk, he came up with a plan that would help him identify what aspect he needed.

So with that in mind, he embarked on a search for a specific aspect within the depths of the

pool.

And since it contained the entirety of this realm's existence, he could simply call out the aspect he desired using his Weaver's Grasp.

However, this method would only work if he had previously experienced this particular

aspect.

Yet he did.

It was the same illusion that the Maligorth had attempted to ensnare him in.

While he didn't know its name, he could sense its presence within the pool as the Aether flowed through his core.

Seizing hold of that familiar sensation, he commanded the aspect to envelop him in an

illusion.

Emir closed his eyes for a moment.

When he reopened them, he was greeted by a world bathed in vibrant red, devoid of anything

else.