Chapter 221

Chapter 221 – The Path I Intended to Walk From the Start

Days passed in a flash.

The dissemination of information occurred flawlessly, and everything needed for the public sale—which Evelyn anticipated would face complications—instead moved forward without any issues.

“Have you been told? A massive bidding event is happening over in the Second Black-White Slums.”

“Indeed, I’ve heard. Gossip says an incredibly rare relic is being put up for sale. Apparently, it dates back to the Grand Elemental epoch, a time otherwise lost to myth.”

These whispers circulated not only within circles of relic hunters but reached common traders as well.

At this point, even without Evelyn actively stoking interest, the upcoming sale had become the primary subject of daily conversation everywhere, propagating organically through word of mouth.

Furthermore, that wasn’t the only development.

“Well, an exchange on that scale? It could be advantageous to put some of my stock up for bidding there.”

“But considering it’s located in the Black-White Slums, wouldn’t that be rather hazardous?”

“According to rumors, the illicit marketplace within the Second Black-White Slums maintains a respectable standing. It might be worth a gamble.”

Fascinated businessmen were eager to introduce their own inventory into what promised to be a monumental gathering.

Naturally, only a fraction of them truly journeyed to the Second Black-White Slums to submit their merchandise.

Nevertheless, the total volume was far from trivial, and Evelyn capitalized on the situation immediately.

“We will establish the processing charge at fifty percent of what standard auction venues demand, while offering a slightly elevated baseline payout assurance.”

“Processing charge? Baseline assurance?”

“The processing charge refers to our commission percentage deducted once a piece is successfully purchased. The baseline assurance is the rock-bottom compensation we promise. Should the final bid fall under that threshold, our operation compensates for the shortfall.”

Evelyn clarified these financial concepts for Aster, who possessed no background knowledge regarding such sales.

As he paid attention, a point of confusion emerged in his mind.

“Reducing the commission makes sense, but isn’t inflating the baseline assurance far too hazardous?”

Consider the mechanics.

Lowering the commission merely meant accepting a smaller portion of the revenue, which wasn’t a major issue.

The merchandise provided by outside traders served as supplementary revenue streams regardless.

However, elevating the baseline assurance?

If things went sideways, the required compensations might easily eclipse the actual earnings of the entire event.

“Naturally, it carries a hazard. However, simply offering that solitary relic isn’t enough; this opening is far too valuable to squander. It is much wiser to accept external inventory, expand the scope of the gathering, and attract the largest possible audience. Whenever a massive group assembles, revenue inevitably materializes.”

To put it plainly, she refused to restrict herself to a single sale, choosing instead to extract every ounce of potential profit from the circumstance.

“Alright… I am unfamiliar with the specifics, so manage it as you see fit.”

“Understood. I will discuss the plan with Timur as well before returning to report to you.”

Although her responsibilities had grown exponentially, Evelyn appeared increasingly vibrant rather than exhausted.

She felt absolutely exhilarated.

And with good reason.

The scope of her operations had broadened past her wildest dreams, accompanied by immense good fortune.

The ultimate level of success from this point forward rested entirely on her capabilities—and there was nothing more motivating to an entrepreneur.

At any rate, while Evelyn immersed herself in organizing the event, the academy concluded its mid-semester examinations.

In contrast to the initial term, however, none of the students felt free to unwind or rejoice.

“The end-of-term exams… are looming already.”

“Once those are finished, we will advance to our second year.”

“…And I hear the sophomore curriculum is exceptionally demanding.”

Granted, the mid-semester tests had concluded, but the final assessments were approaching quickly, and coupled with the additional modules of the second term, everyone remained highly stressed.

Even Damian and Chenbi hurried straight to the study hall to prepare intensely the moment testing concluded.

Barring individuals like Evelyn, who was occupied with entirely separate ventures, ordinary pupils found it impossible to rest while burdened by the weight of upcoming evaluations.

…Naturally, Aster proved to be the outlier.

“This is perfectly acceptable.”

As the lesson concluded, Aster moved his shoulders indifferently while reviewing the examination marks distributed by assistant professor Yorvi.

His scores sat comfortably in the upper-middle bracket.

It was a decent result.

While it wasn’t extraordinary, it preserved his dignity sufficiently.

In all honesty, despite the heightened complexity of the tests, the introductory inquiries for first-year students were not particularly challenging anyway.

For that identical reason, he felt no anxiety regarding the final examinations either.

It wasn’t that he was entirely devoid of concerns, however…

“This is the moment I must definitively choose my trajectory.”

Following the lecture, Aster separated from Chenbi and Damian as they made their way toward the archives, choosing instead to wander across the school campus while immersed in deep reflection.

The issue demanding his immediate focus was the concept of the ‘circle.’

To be more specific, the fragmentation of his internal core.

He had committed to confronting the task he had postponed since prior to his journey to Baharmut.

Yet, a dilemma persisted.

‘Should I opt for the budding method or a complete bifurcation?’

The advantages and disadvantages of each option were quite clear.

To begin with, the budding technique involved separating a small fragment from the main center to develop a secondary one.

This route presented a lesser challenge because it merely required breaking off a piece.

The drawback, however…

‘Developing that detached fragment into something viable will require immense effort.’

On the other hand, a complete bifurcation meant cutting the internal center precisely in half, which was considerably more arduous than the alternative.

Unlike the budding process, though, there was no requirement to mature the resulting pieces; they could be utilized instantly.

‘If the goal is solely to partition the center, bifurcation is superior.’

It demanded greater skill, yet offered instantaneous utility.

The complication lay in the fact that Aster had to fashion circles immediately following the division.

This meant transforming the freshly separated centers into ring structures…

‘That reality amplifies the complexity of the bifurcation exponentially.’

Diminutive fragments are far simpler to manipulate.

Substantial masses necessitate vastly superior concentration.

Yet, would a ring generated from a tiny bud possess sufficient strength to be effective?

“Let’s see.”

Absorbed in these deliberations, he lost track of the distance he had traveled.

“Welcome.”

Aster abruptly raised his gaze upon hearing the words right beside him.

He had reached the Rapiter Library.

The archivist Teheman was seated within his workspace as usual, greeting the young man.

Aster collected his scattered reflections and offered a brief nod of respect, prompting Teheman to speak further.

“Have you reached a conclusion?”

“It is a complicated choice.”

“It certainly will not be simple. You are carving out an entirely unique trajectory, one that no predecessor has traveled. Pioneers invariably face hardships.”

Aster gave a slight shrug in response to Teheman’s empathetic words.

Pioneer or not, there was no grand fate involved in this.

Constructing a ring structure wasn’t a sacred mission; it was merely a contingency plan because he had bypassed the conventional awakening method.

Had he successfully achieved the traditional insight, there would have been no requirement for rings back during his time in the Great Forest.

Regardless.

“There is no need to hurry this very day. I will be available whenever you require. Inform me once you feel prepared.”

Teheman, who stood ready to aid in the internal division, offered these supportive remarks. Aster gave a negative gesture.

“Excessive hesitation only spoils the execution.”

“If that is your conviction, so be it. Let us proceed.”

Teheman rose from his seat and extracted a specific volume from the collection. With a mechanical rasp, the expansive shelving unit parted down the middle.

He guided Aster into the archivist’s private sanctum for meditation, where the ground was inscribed with a complex geometric arcane diagram.

“It concentrates the surrounding spiritual energy and anchors the internal magical force. It is modest, but it should assist you.”

Though spoken casually, the array was far from ordinary.

It was evident that the elder had dedicated his entire focus and effort over the preceding days after Aster requested his aid.

Aster hesitated briefly, recognizing the effort involved, before advancing to the midpoint of the diagram.

Expressing gratitude was unnecessary at this moment.

Appreciation could be voiced once the division was safely completed.

He adopted a cross-legged posture right in the center.

[Partner, are you alright?]

The wyvern perceived his underlying tension and inquired after him.

Aster merely offered a smirk.

“I am fine.”

This was a barrier he was destined to overcome sooner or later.

In order to refine his imperfect physical container and command absolute higher mastery, this action was an indispensable phase.

Perhaps it was slightly premature…

— Therefore, do not fret.

— It is not because of you.

The destiny he had caught a glimpse of during his time in Baharmut surfaced in his memory.

The words of Shine resounded in his mind.

— You do not have to carry the burden of their passings.

True, he didn’t need to carry those fatalities.

Keywords held firm within his conviction.

‘If you wish to avoid accountability… then ensure you never allow circumstances to arise that demand it.’

He needed to obtain sufficient power to handle all burdens entirely by himself.

Simply attaining absolute higher mastery would not suffice, however.

Becoming an Archmage or reaching a higher state were exalted positions deserving of the title ‘supreme’…

Yet that did not equate to being the absolute most powerful.

“Are you prepared?”

“I am.”

Aster softly lowered his eyelids.

The sound of approaching strides came from the rear.

Teheman assumed a rigid posture directly behind him, pressing his open hands against the points where Aster’s wings joined his torso.

At this juncture…

‘Bifurcation is the choice.’

His unwavering intent plunged his consciousness deep within.

With absolute concentration, Aster’s awareness examined his inner self.

The air drawn in, the expansion of his ribcage, the energy fragments accompanying every inhalation—all of it became perfectly distinct.

…And then.

Snap, fracture!

The hardened inner center fractured with sharp, resonant noises, progressively dividing into two.

Teheman, monitoring the internal process, temporarily stopped breathing upon witnessing such an audacious path. However, his self-control was reestablished immediately.

‘— The process has commenced.’

Aster’s internal center separated flawlessly down the middle, resembling the precision of an expert artisan.

Energy emanated from the newly exposed surfaces, generating fresh protective layers. Before long, they began shaping themselves into spheres.

The transformation progressed deliberately as moments ticked away.

The moment both independent centers achieved complete structure, Aster deliberated internally.

‘At this point…’

The genuine trial commences.

He selected one of the centers and commenced the process of remodeling it.

Right at that instant.

Sizzle, spark—!

An abrupt, turbulent surge of energy erupted within his body.

Splatter!

A crimson fluid forced its way up into his mouth.

‘…Curse it.’

Aster realized immediately through sheer intuition.

An error had occurred in the execution.

The pair of centers vibrated erratically, on the verge of disintegration. Remaining on this path meant he would end up destroying both.

Right then, an unaccustomed energy streamed inward through his wings.

[…Maintain your composure.]

Teheman meticulously adjusted his own power to anchor Aster’s fluctuating centers, using a placid tone to keep him from losing control.

Despite this intervention.

Sputter, hiss.

The circumstances appeared dire.

A critical decision was required.

‘Recombine them into one… or press forward, steady the chaos, and compel the creation of the secondary ring?’

Reuniting them meant forfeiting any future opportunity. The already compromised physical container would become even more rigidly unyielding.

Conversely, forcing the creation of the secondary ring…

…Could result in total devastation.

It was an absolute gamble.

Protect what minimal parts remained, or gamble the entire outcome.

…There was no reluctance.

‘Advance.’

In fact, Aster pushed his ambitions even further. His initial intent was merely to mold a single center into a ring. Now…

‘Mold both separate centers into rings simultaneously.’

An inability to master both objects simultaneously meant he would forfeit everything regardless.

The Magic Tower.

The trajectory Aster chose to pursue had always been that exact one.