The Return

[The Astral Benediction is a blessing received from the cosmic realm that allows you to use supernatural abilities known as Astral magic.]

[The most blessed individuals, believed to have been chosen directly by the Gods are called the Divine Royals and are worshipped by the kingdom as they act as intermediaries between the cosmic realm and the mortal realm. Those with high blessings but not at the level of Divine Royals are called sanctioned nobles. Then the majority that receive smaller blessings are known as the common folk and are ridiculed, culled, and abused for receiving such small blessings as they are perceived to not have God's favor. But those without a blessing are shunned and called cursed or outcasts.]

[But there different kinds of blessings these individuals receive. Besides the ordinary blessings where one needs to find their place in society, some Blessings let individuals to be able to engage in combat. Such Blessings are: Healing Blessing, Defense Blessing, Strength Blessing, Agility Blessing, Elemental Blessing, Illusion Blessing, Divine Blessing, and Fortune Blessing. Individuals that possess these are known as Blessed Warriors.]

[Use of such Blessing without registration is considered a crime. Many are not bound by the law such as the Starlight Wardens also known as the Guildmasters, and Hazards - individuals that use their Blessing to commit crime. The Astral Magus Association is present to maintain order, to make sure no one abuses their power and nothing gets out of hand.]

[For me to achieve my goal, I'll have to start by becoming an Astral Magus. But in join, I...]

In the Royal Capital Xylaris, located in the State of Nevaris (Central), Nevan. A blue limousine arrives before the gates of what appears to be the headquarters of the royal council known as the Celestial Bastion. The guards let the limousine through and the limo drives past the gates while the guards lock it.

Maeve comes walking out of the limousine and the guards all bow before her. Maeve walks through the doors and heads for the central dome. A blue glow appears around her and she gets teleported and finds herself standing before the Divine Council.

"I greet you, Divine Council of Nevan," Maeve said as she got to one knee and placed her right hand on her left chest.

"The Zenith Sovereign of the Astral Magus Maeve Heiliger, one that maintains order per the will of the God of Divine Order. You know why we've called you," the Chief to the King said.

"Yes, we've been trying to the remnants of the organization but there isn't a single clue about them," Maeve said.

"Unacceptable. How can they be on the run for this long?" the Imperial Commander said.

"The Association is developing the technology that can help us trace Dark arts. It will eventually lead us to them," Maeve said.

"King Lancelot is disappointed. At this rate, the Astral Magus Association will have to close down and you know what that means," the Advisor on Magical Affairs said.

"I understand. I promise to put an end to these decades of war by capturing Nyxis. I swear on my name as Zenith Sovereign," Maeve said.

"At least we've reclaimed Lunaris. We'll be holding you onto your word, Ms. Maeve," the Chief to the King said.

Maeve gets teleported back to the Central Dome. She clenches her jaw and fist and exclaims, "Damn it."

Meanwhile, at the riverside of the City of Everglade, an E Tier Gate has spawned in the area and the Gatekeepers stand guard. Inside the gate, Kael has his scythe drawn out as he combats the beast of the gate.

* Kael has his hair grown at shoulder length and now has a lean and muscular body. He is dressed in a black tank top with a black wristband, grey cargo pants with black stripes, and black sneakers.

Two of the Ashenfiends leap in for Kael but Kael cloaks his scythe in dark energy and slashes the two Ashenfiends.

<Notice:>

- You have defeated two Bristlegnates. Rank: E Tier. You have gained 40 EXP points

- You have reached Level X. You have unlocked three more Shadow Manipulation skills (First Tier)

- Active Skills: Dispel (Level 1), Shadow Bind (Level 2), Shadow Step (Level 3), Dark Vision (Level 4, [Locked]

- Passive Skills: Fear Incarnate: Instills fear in mortals and weaker beings just by his presence, making it difficult for them to stand against him. Shadow Empowerment: Grows stronger in darkness or during the night, while light weakens him only marginally.

One Ashenfiend remains and Kael slowly walks towards it with his eyes glowing purple.

'He's like a completely different person after training his mental and spiritual energy, and also physical body to have it catch up. Who knew humans could evolve like this?' Alastair thought to himself.

Kael decapitated the last remaining Ashenfiend and caught its head before it fell.

<Notice:>

- You have cleared the E Tier gate all on your own. +2 will be added to your title Lone Reaper

- Reward:

Mana Stones:

Materials:

Consumables:

Equipment (Rare Drops):

Boss-Specific Rewards:

" Amazing rewards," Kael said while looking at the stats screen

"You really are amazing, kid. To think you would improve this much in the span of two months. Like you were born to wield Shadow magic," Alastair said.

"If it wasn't for the skill Fear Incarnate, I wouldn't have been here to improve my skills," Kael said as a memory of him implanting fear in the gym owner flashed in his head.

"And you claim I'm terrible for doing that," Alastair said.

"It's different if they're evil," Kael said as he returned his weapon to inventory. He added, "Let's go sell these rewards. I must repay that couple for taking care of me for two whole months."

"You're right. The skill Fear Incarnate should've worn out after two weeks. Maybe they're just kind," Alastair said.

Kael comes walking out of the gate and the frame collapses and the portal closes. A few minutes later, he comes walking out of the Magus Station in Everglade with a bag of money.

"Now, shall we head back," Kael said.

Meanwhile, in the bowling alley in the City of Everglade. Ren is bowling as Eve and Eris are sharing a meal.

"It's been two months since the incident at Lunaris. Thanks to the skill memory fog, the Association won't be tell that it's us that gained access," Eve said while picking up one chip and placing it in her mouth with everyone in the store looking at her with a flustered face.

"And the heavens did justice by lighting up the area, burning away the Ashenfiends along with Voss's corpse. The state should be thankful for us," Ren said while scoring a strike.

"But was this the right way to go about things? Kael posed no threat to us," Eris questioned.

"What? You liked the guy or something? Too bad, you're an accomplice," Ren said while picking up another bowling ball.

"But it's strange that the news hasn't said anything about him. Even if he is an outcast, he's still the son of a top merchant," Eve quizzed.

"Shows how irrelevant he is," Ren scores another strike. He added, "But enough about him, let's talk about something more serious. Joining the Astral Magus."

"But to become an Astral Magus, you'll have to join the Asta Academy," Eris said.

"We know that, Eris my Knight. The Asta Academy's entrance exam is in one month. We'll be competing with the noble kids," Eve said.

"Who cares about those kids who were fed with a silver spoon? We'll join the Asta Academy and have the eyes of the top wardens on us," Ren said.

"Well said, Ren my second knight. Let's head out and prepare ourselves. We'll show the noble kids we're made of," Eve said with a yellow glow coming from her eyes. She ordered the waiter, "Take out my trash."

"I'll do anything for you my lady!" the waiter yelled out as he picked up Eve's dirt.

Eve gets up and leaves the restaurant with Ren and Eris behind her. As they were walking home, they passed by a certain neighbourhood. They pass a certain house and a middle-aged woman calls out to Eve. "Oh my, Eve."

"Ms. Jiwoo, it's been a long time," Eve said with a gentle smile.

"Indeed it has. You've grown into such a fine woman. Your mother sure is taking care of you well," Ms. Jiwoo said.

"She has. I see your home has improved," Eve said as she glanced at Ms. Jiwoo's home.

"Yes, I let a young boy start living with me after he was found half dead. He's been hellbent on repaying us so he's been hunting gates and bringing us money," Ms. Jiwoo said.

"That shouldn't be possible unless he has a Magus registration," Eris said.

"Who's this kind young boy?" Eve questioned.

"I'm sure you know him well. His name is Kael Voss," Ms. Jiwoo answered and Eve flinched. She added, "Speak of the devil, there he is."

The all look and they see Kael walking up to them carrying a bag of money.

"Kael... You're alive..." Eve questioned with a puzzle look on her face.

"Eve..."

Ren walks up to Kael and looks up at him while Eris looks from a distance with a flustered face.

'Damn, just how tall has he gotten? Now he'll start having a big head,' Ren thought to himself.

'How was he able to survive in area filled with high tier Ashenfiends? Wait, was Kael the boy Ms. Jiwoo was talking about? Does that mean he's awakened,' Eris questioned.

"Looks like you guys have some catching up to do. I'll leave you at it," Ms. Jiwoo said.

"Oh yeah, Ms. Jiwoo, here's your new payment. It's 5,000 ATZ," Kael said while handing Ms. Jiwoo the bag of money. (Astraltz - The Nevan Currency)

"Thank you so much, Kael," Ms. Jiwoo thanked.

"No need to be. You've helped me so much in these past two months," Kael said while placing his hand behind his head and a smile on his face.

"Then, I'll allow you to catch up," Ms. Jiwoo said as she entered the house.

"Kael, how did you survive? You were surrounded by a group of Ashenfiends led by a Nethermoth," Eve questioned.

"What's this? Are you that unhappy that I'm still alive? Well too bad for you, I'm staying alive as long as possible," Kael said with a playful smirk.

"You watch how you speak you damn unawakened, or I might put you down myself," Ren said as he glares at Kael.

"I've always wanted to know which one of us is stronger. There's absolutely no way I'm weaker than an ass licker like you," Kael said as he looks down on Ren with purple sparks coming from his right eye.

"Heh heh, you damn outcast!"

Ren summons an orange flame blast at the palm of his right hand.

"I'll give you a much worse scar than the one on your right eye!"

Ren charges in for Kael and tries to attack him but Kael cloaks his left arm in dark energy and grabs Ren's arm, snuffing out the blast. Ren jolts and looks in shock.

"I thank you for this scar because it's what made me who I am," Kael said, afterwards flicks Ren's forehead, sending him crashing at the trash can.

'Oh no, he's strong,' Eve thought to herself.

"I would reprimand you for leaving me for dead but thanks to your actions I grew stronger. I thought you were my best friend but turns out you're just like the rest, Eve," Kael said

"..." Eve starts to tremble and a classic look of fear.

"Nothing will happen to you as long as you abide. Now, get lost," Kael said with a cold gaze and both eyes glowing purple.

Eve is stunned and frozen in fear with her eyes widened and raised brows. Eris stands before Eve and pulls out a sword from her inventory to confront Kael.

'I don't sense any Astral magic coming from him but I know one wrong move I'm dead,' Eris said as she felt herself getting swallowed by the darkness and a purple serpent looking down.

"You damn Outcast, you're getting out of hand. Perhaps you forgot how the system of the Kingdom of Nevan works. Those that possess Astral magic are always at the top, and you outcast should be feeding off the bread crumbs we drop," Ren said.

Ren gets to his feet while Kael looks over his shoulder to look down on him. Ren then said, "The Asta Academy's entrance will begin next month. I urge you to participate."

"I know that already. Because to become an Astral Magus, you got to start from the Academy," Kael said.

A sinister smile emerges on Ren's face and he says, "That's good. It's a crime to use your Astral magic outside the Academy or without registration but during the entrance exam, I'll be sure to humiliate you."

"Bring it on," Kael said, a smirk emerging on his face.

<Notice:>

- You've successfully implanted fear in 2/3 of the Blessed Children

- Fear Incarnate will increase to Level 2