Chapter 82: Trouble II
Her words struck a chord, and Asher frowned, realization dawning on him. This... I hadn't thought of that, he mused internally. He started reflecting on his actions, questioning his decision to bring Catherine into this world so hastily.
'Was it the influence of the First Blood Crown fragment memories effecting me at that time?' he wondered. But then he shook his head, dismissing the thought. No, I can't just blame it on external influences. That would be running away from responsibility.
Taking a deep breath, he looked back at Yulia. "You're right. I acted impulsively and didn't consider the broader consequences."
Yulia studied him for a moment before nodding, her expression softening slightly. "At least you acknowledge that. But acknowledging it isn't enough, Asher. Actions have consequences, and whether or not you intended harm, you've brought something into this world that could potentially destabilize the balance."
Asher sighed. "I'll take responsibility for her. If she does anything that causes harm, it'll fall on me."
"That's not how this works," Yulia replied firmly. "This isn't just about you or her. It's about the academy and the world. You've brought her here, so it's our job to ensure she's not a threat. But from now on, every step you take will be watched. You might not like it, but it's for the greater good."
He nodded slowly. "I understand. I'll cooperate with whatever measures you think are necessary."
Yulia leaned back in her chair, her gaze still sharp but her tone slightly less harsh. "Good. Then let's start with answering this: What exactly did you see in her that made you trust her enough to bring her here?"
Asher paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "I used a skill called Blood Memory. It allowed me to see her memories through her blood. From what I saw, her story was genuine. She's not here with malicious intent. In fact, she's been through more hardship than most people could handle."
Yulia raised an eyebrow. "Blood Memory? That's... unique. Still, people can lie, and even memories can be misleading."
"Blood doesn't lie," Asher said confidently. "It reflects the truth of someone's life. Her intentions aren't harmful."
Yulia sighed, leaning forward slightly. "Maybe you're right. But it's not just her intentions that matter. The ripple effect of her presence here could be catastrophic. That's why you'll have to work harder than ever to prove that you made the right choice."
"I will," Asher replied firmly.
For a moment, there was silence between them, the weight of their conversation settling.
"Very well," Yulia said, standing up. "I'll not punish you as you also didn't know bringing a Dungeon inhabitant to real world is crime. She'll be monitored closely, and so will you. Any misstep, and there will be consequences."
Asher stood as well, giving a slight bow. "Thank you. I won't let you down."
Yulia's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she nodded. "You can go now," she said.
Asher nodded, stood up, and left the room.
Once outside, he sighed in relief, running a hand through his hair. "How the hell did a single leap into a dungeon turn into this mess?" he muttered to himself as he walked away.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Yulia frowned, her fingers tapping lightly on the desk as she reflected on her conversation with him.
"There was no sign of him being controlled, nor was he lying," she murmured, closing her eyes as she leaned back in her chair.
After a brief pause, she opened them again. "Well, we'll see if this situation turns dangerous or not. Until then, I'll let him be and enjoy what little peace he has," she mused before returning to her usual workload.
Back in his room, Asher lay sprawled on the bed, his hand resting on his forehead as he stared at the ceiling. He massaged his forehead as he thought of the trouble that Catherine has caused.
"Okay... just leave it," he muttered to himself, squeezing his eyes shut in an attempt to push aside the growing chaos in his thoughts. The steps of his mental to-do list refused to quiet, though, spiraling to new concerns.
"And then there's the thing about the legacy of the Progenitor..."
He frowned, his fingers drumming on his forehead. "I wonder if that guy, the one with the power of predation, knew that now there's another legacy contender," he mused aloud. He murmured as he closed his eyes drifting into sleep.
In another universe, in a distant galaxy
Among the countless stars and planetary systems, there lay a single planet bathed in a lush, vibrant green. Its surface sparkled under its sun's rays, but the beauty was deceptive. In the center of the forested expanse, a massive, writhing entity stirred from its ancient slumber.
The creature opened two slitted eyes, which glowed faintly in the dim light.
The surrounding air seemed to shift with its presence, and a slow, guttural voice emerged.
"Hmm... which part of the galaxy am I in now? Or better yet, is this even my galaxy?" it mused, its tone contemplative. Its monstrous form gradually shifted, its dark and viscous body shimmering. It blinked at the star-speckled sky.
"Anyway, why did I suddenly wake up?" the creature wondered aloud, tilting its head in apparent confusion. As the realization struck, its eyes narrowed with an intense gleam.
"Oh, yes... a signal," it muttered as its slick form began to take on more defined features, roughly humanoid in appearance. "A new legacy contender. Finally, another piece emerges," it mused, its voice carrying an undertone of excitement.
It turned its gaze upward, scanning through dimensions and planes of existence with a sight beyond mortal comprehension. "Hmm... interesting. It's not in this universe either," it muttered with a frustrated growl.
Its form continued to shift, now resembling a grotesque imitation of a human—a towering, sinewy figure with an eerie smile.
"I'm not strong enough to tear through universes yet," it said with a tinge of bitterness. "Looks like it's time to devour some energy sources and ascend to a universal level."
Its grin widened as it took on a more humanoid appearance, donning an illusion of normalcy to infiltrate its next hunting ground. "But first... I'll devour a Cthuthian nest and gather the essence needed to shatter barriers. I'll feast on that big tasty mass of energy."
It stepped into a portal formed of dark energy, vanishing into another galaxy. Its intent remained unclear—was it driven by malice, or simply hunger for power?
But one thing was certain: it sought the remnants of the legacy with a single-minded determination, prepared to consume anything or anyone standing in its way.
And Asher slept blissfully aware hat he has invited not just Planetary level but now a universe level threat. Though, it's good for him that they are not in same Universe or he would have died in the stomach of that slime without even knowing when he died.
The next day, Asher woke up and went about his usual schedule. Though his days seemed ordinary, he couldn't shake the occasional sensation of being watched. It wasn't an oppressive feeling, but rather subtle—like an unseen gaze that followed him wherever he went. Still, Asher chose to ignore it. Knowing it is Academy keeping an eye on him, as he is now under the suspicion now, So, he chose to ignore them.
'I have no secrets that they can find anyway,' he thought to himself. His experiences had stripped away much of the hesitation or worry he might have felt in the past.
He lived his days as any other diligent student would—attending lectures, honing his skills, and continuously advancing his chosen specialization in Arcane Alchemy. He immersed himself in his studies, spending long hours experimenting and refining his craft. His dedication was apparent, and it became clear that his abilities were growing rapidly. Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, And months into years.
After a whole Ten years he is now advanced way beyond the Silver middle level.
Asher's progress was remarkable. He was now at the peak of the Platinum Level, standing just a step away from the Diamond Realm, the pinnacle of the Foundation Ranks in this world.
However, even as he neared this peak, Asher's ambitions stretched far beyond it. "The Diamond Realm may be the peak here, but it's not the limit," he often thought. His focus was set on the hidden realm—the Prismatic Realm—a level of power that transcended the limitations of ordinary understanding.
Asher knew this mysterious realm existed as his Absolute Appraisal has told him about it. And he will surely reach this level.
Asher sat cross-legged in his room, eyes opening slowly as he exhaled a sharp breath. Over the past ten years, his once small and lean frame had transformed into that of a finely honed warrior. His muscles, though not bulky, were packed with power and precision, exuding an aura of strength that belied his calm demeanor.
Rising from his bed, he moved toward the mirror. Reflected back at him was a striking figure—a young man with long, flowing white hair cascading past his shoulders, and piercing ruby-like eyes that glimmered with both intensity and wisdom gained through hard-fought experience.