"Have to say, such awe-inspiring talent . "

Rising from his seat, Igor studied the warrior with his real eyes . The pope was not in the best of health, that much was clear as he stood up . However, anyone could clearly sense a tremendous power lying within the thin and frail body, as grand and majestic as the forces of nature .

"I know that there are existences that possess heaven-gifted abilities," he said, his tone grave and gruff . "Since their birth, they have displayed all sorts of natural talents—such as elemental control, communication with beasts or the ability to see the flow of energy in all things . "

Igor spread his left fingers and looked down carefully at the holy light that whirls at his palm . "Such beings include me, Emperor Israel and Vahina, Sage of the Eastern Sea . As the saying goes—give 'The Chosen' a chance and their ability would grow by leaps and bounds . "

The old man's tone soon became doubtful and curious .

"Joshua, I've heard about your past," he said, leveling his golden gaze to the warrior's crimson . "In the past twenty years, you've stayed largely anonymous, living like a typical heir of n.o.bles . Even in the army, you've relied on family connections to get a plain position without making any eye-catching achievements .

"Thus your first twenty years ended like a grain of sand in the beach . But two years after your father's pa.s.sing, you rose like a meteor . Before this, I've said that was due to your sage inheritance, but now I think that was inaccurate . "

"Then, does Your Holiness believe that I'm a Chosen?"

Although Joshua knew that his body was as ordinary as any other that flowed with plain human blood, he did not feel weirded out by Igor's att.i.tude . Anyone would be shocked to see the extent of his improvement . Most of them would believe that he was naturally gifted, but those who knew more would naturally find all sorts of reasons and excuses for him .

Be it 'Sage's Legacy' or 'Chosen', all are reasons and excuses . In the end, Joshua did not have to say a thing and there would be those who would write a detailed explanation . The people of this world never were the suspicious kind—they were more used to connect anything special with things they were familiar with as well as their knowledge scope .

But what does that have to do with divinity?

"That's right . " Igor did not hold back on his hypothesis . "I believe that you have awakened your innate talent as a Chosen after the pa.s.sing of the last Moldavian count . Hidden powers awakened by intense emotions were not rare throughout history—but more importantly, you should know what your innate gifts are . "

The elder nodded, as if a.s.suring himself of the validity of his own speculation . "Now, it looks like it could be 'plunder' . You will attain what you defeat, which in turn accelerates your improvement—it's a common trait in powerful demons of the Abyss . "

After hearing the last part, Joshua's expression twitched . He was not thinking about the pope's guesses, but was remembering that voice he heard in the Bloodmoon Abyss .

It was the moment he triumphed against Mandagar that a majestic, mysterious and androgynous voice echoed in his mind . It wanted Joshua to stay there, and become its liege .

That probably was what was known as the 'Will of the Abyss' . Like the Steel Python Joshua encountered at Karlis and Illgner, the incarnation of a world's mind .

Its purposeful invitation was undoubtedly an acknowledgment of the warrior's depth—and along with Igor's reasoning, he could not help start suspecting he had such an aspect . After all, his power of the Glorious Light collects the soul shards of the defeated to increase its own power . To describe it as plunder was perfectly apt .

Noticing his change in expression, Igor shook his head and smile . "Don't worry, Joshua . Even if it is an Abyssal demon trait, it isn't rare for humans to possess it . To grab power from the loser, after all, is a common thing . "

"According to the texts, during the ancient era where the first sages discovered aura along with breathing skills, that sort of skill has already been observed . It was exactly because they could rob daemons off their lifeforce and mana that they could put in a cornerstone for the human forces . "

The old pope returned to his seat and shook his head lightly after a brief silence .

"To be frank, Joshua, however fast your power improves it would only make me happier . As an agent of Order and the heir of the Sages, you would only have my sincerest blessings even if you turn Legendary now . "

"Still…" Igor sighed, his gaze towards Joshua welling with golden sacred light . "Combat, slaughter, destruction… Such divinity just isn't too benevolent . Still, you giving it form meant that it is the best suit for you . Along with the gift of plunder, perhaps that is the reason your impressive rise in ability . "

"Quite . "

Apart from that 'rise in ability' part, the old pope was spot on . Even Joshua nodded agreeably—he does feel that this divinity was too out of bounds . Combat is still alright since it fits the warrior's nature, but slaughter and destruction were simply too malevolent .

He did not enjoy both though…

Suddenly, he stopped and narrowed his eyes . He was remembering how he lay waste to the millions of daemons and Chaos existences, demolis.h.i.+ng the landscape and entire buildings without realizing it .  

Come to think of it, it was not that weird to develop such divinity .

"You've already experienced that pure and infinite power divinity boasts . "

The pope's ancient and clear voice echoed in the hall, a ray of golden suns.h.i.+ne reflecting off his face as he sat on his white chair . Igor was not looking at Joshua anymore, and looked up towards the ceiling of the Great Altar painted with celestial bodies and the sky . Streaming Holy Light ripples made them appear alive, with an indistinct holy chorus .

"I could see clearly that your divine power came from anger . The stately strength that comes from one of the bases of our world allowed to kill a crystal dragon despite the mismatch . " Igor's gaze was tranquil . "That is why you would definitely understand the splendor of the power and its constraints .

"Exactly," Joshua replied lowly . Now, he finally understood the reason he was summoned to the Great Altar at the summit of Sacred Mountain . "That monumental power was over the top . It was like a great river that does not stop cras.h.i.+ng around, or a tidal wave that consumes everything . You would be sucked in even by touching it lightly, turning into nothing but a little splash . "

"If I didn't free myself from that strength I would have been torn apart by it to the very depths of my soul . "

"That's exactly how it is . " Igor nodded seriously, his tone decisive . "'Divinity' is the simplest concept in this world, and only the simplest fellows could earn it by fate and chance . And it would be hard to manipulate because of that, and would annihilate the user in one split second of carelessness . "

Suddenly, the pope laughed . "Joshua, you're a man who loves to fight . There would be more combats against the Chaos where you tear down your enemies . When the time comes and they are too powerful, you won't hesitate to unleash your divine powers . "

The wrinkled old man shook his head while flas.h.i.+ng a bitter smile . "If that's the case, you would destroy everything including yourself . "

"Allow me to say something a little selfish . As long as the Sage's Legacy is incomplete, I won't let you die for some foolish reason . It's a lucky coincidence that the Church still stores some information regarding divinity, and it does explain the experience and methods of handling it . "

"And now, I shall instruct you in those ways . "

. . . . Have to say, such awe-inspiring talent . Rising from his seat, Igor studied the warrior with his real eyes . The pope was not in the best of health, that much was clear as he stood up . However, anyone could clearly sense a tremendous power lying within the thin and frail body, as grand and majestic as the forces of nature . I know that there are existences that possess heaven-gifted abilities, he said, his tone grave and gruff . Since their birth, they have displayed all sorts of natural talents—such as elemental control, communication with beasts or the ability to see the flow of energy in all things . Igor spread his left fingers and looked down carefully at the holy light that whirls at his palm . Such beings include me, Emperor Israel and Vahina, Sage of the Eastern Sea . As the saying goes—give The Chosen a chance and their ability would grow by leaps and bounds . The old mans tone soon became doubtful and curious . Joshua, Ive heard about your past, he said, leveling his golden gaze to the warriors crimson . In the past twenty years, youve stayed largely anonymous, living like a typical heir of n.o.bles . Even in the army, youve relied on family connections to get a plain position without making any eye-catching achievements . Thus your first twenty years ended like a grain of sand in the beach . But two years after your fathers pa.s.sing, you rose like a meteor . Before this, Ive said that was due to your sage inheritance, but now I think that was inaccurate . . . Then, does Your Holiness believe that Im a Chosen? Although Joshua knew that his body was as ordinary as any other that flowed with plain human blood, he did not feel weirded out by Igors att.i.tude . Anyone would be shocked to see the extent of his improvement . Most of them would believe that he was naturally gifted, but those who knew more would naturally find all sorts of reasons and excuses for him . Be it Sages Legacy or Chosen, all are reasons and excuses . In the end, Joshua did not have to say a thing and there would be those who would write a detailed explanation . The people of this world never were the suspicious kind—they were more used to connect anything special with things they were familiar with as well as their knowledge scope . But what does that have to do with divinity? Thats right . Igor did not hold back on his hypothesis . I believe that you have awakened your innate talent as a Chosen after the pa.s.sing of the last Moldavian count . Hidden powers awakened by intense emotions were not rare throughout history—but more importantly, you should know what your innate gifts are . The elder nodded, as if a.s.suring himself of the validity of his own speculation . Now, it looks like it could be plunder . You will attain what you defeat, which in turn accelerates your improvement—its a common trait in powerful demons of the Abyss . After hearing the last part, Joshuas expression twitched . He was not thinking about the popes guesses, but was remembering that voice he heard in the Bloodmoon Abyss . . It was the moment he triumphed against Mandagar that a majestic, mysterious and androgynous voice echoed in his mind . It wanted Joshua to stay there, and become its liege . That probably was what was known as the Will of the Abyss . Like the Steel Python Joshua encountered at Karlis and Illgner, the incarnation of a worlds mind . Its purposeful invitation was undoubtedly an acknowledgment of the warriors depth—and along with Igors reasoning, he could not help start suspecting he had such an aspect . After all, his power of the Glorious Light collects the soul shards of the defeated to increase its own power . To describe it as plunder was perfectly apt . Noticing his change in expression, Igor shook his head and smile . Dont worry, Joshua . Even if it is an Abyssal demon trait, it isnt rare for humans to possess it . To grab power from the loser, after all, is a common thing . According to the texts, during the ancient era where the first sages discovered aura along with breathing skills, that sort of skill has already been observed . It was exactly because they could rob daemons off their lifeforce and mana that they could put in a cornerstone for the human forces . The old pope returned to his seat and shook his head lightly after a brief silence . To be frank, Joshua, however fast your power improves it would only make me happier . As an agent of Order and the heir of the Sages, you would only have my sincerest blessings even if you turn Legendary now . Still… Igor sighed, his gaze towards Joshua welling with golden sacred light . Combat, slaughter, destruction… Such divinity just isnt too benevolent . Still, you giving it form meant that it is the best suit for you . Along with the gift of plunder, perhaps that is the reason your impressive rise in ability . Quite . Apart from that rise in ability part, the old pope was spot on . Even Joshua nodded agreeably—he does feel that this divinity was too out of bounds . Combat is still alright since it fits the warriors nature, but slaughter and destruction were simply too malevolent . He did not enjoy both though… Suddenly, he stopped and narrowed his eyes . He was remembering how he lay waste to the millions of daemons and Chaos existences, demolis.h.i.+ng the landscape and entire buildings without realizing it .   Come to think of it, it was not that weird to develop such divinity . Youve already experienced that pure and infinite power divinity boasts . The popes ancient and clear voice echoed in the hall, a ray of golden suns.h.i.+ne reflecting off his face as he sat on his white chair . Igor was not looking at Joshua anymore, and looked up towards the ceiling of the Great Altar painted with celestial bodies and the sky . Streaming Holy Light ripples made them appear alive, with an indistinct holy chorus . I could see clearly that your divine power came from anger . The stately strength that comes from one of the bases of our world allowed to kill a crystal dragon despite the mismatch . Igors gaze was tranquil . That is why you would definitely understand the splendor of the power and its constraints . Exactly, Joshua replied lowly . Now, he finally understood the reason he was summoned to the Great Altar at the summit of Sacred Mountain . That monumental power was over the top . It was like a great river that does not stop cras.h.i.+ng around, or a tidal wave that consumes everything . You would be sucked in even by touching it lightly, turning into nothing but a little splash . If I didnt free myself from that strength I would have been torn apart by it to the very depths of my soul . Thats exactly how it is . Igor nodded seriously, his tone decisive . Divinity is the simplest concept in this world, and only the simplest fellows could earn it by fate and chance . And it would be hard to manipulate because of that, and would annihilate the user in one split second of carelessness . Suddenly, the pope laughed . Joshua, youre a man who loves to fight . There would be more combats against the Chaos where you tear down your enemies . When the time comes and they are too powerful, you wont hesitate to unleash your divine powers . The wrinkled old man shook his head while flas.h.i.+ng a bitter smile . If thats the case, you would destroy everything including yourself . Allow me to say something a little selfish . As long as the Sages Legacy is incomplete, I wont let you die for some foolish reason . Its a lucky coincidence that the Church still stores some information regarding divinity, and it does explain the experience and methods of handling it . And now, I shall instruct you in those ways .