Aleph used [Lord of the Mysteries] to complete a set of tests. When he met Mobius, Su, and Mei, he used his ELF as a channel. Through that, he was able to exert the power of one authority inside the imaginary barrier.
When meeting Vill-V, however, he used the puppet created by her as a channel. It succeeded in one go. It was an item that did not have any direct connection to him.
Meaning to say…
'As long as I am included in a concept, I can use it as a channel.'
The puppet was made with Aleph's image as the core. It resulted in a perfect fit once used as a channel. Its performance did not differ with the ELF's, to boot.
It proved that so long as Aleph himself is related, he could influence it. Even things that bore the concept of Infinity could be hijacked by him.
That was how strong [Lord of the Mysteries] was.
"Eternity."
The voice in his mind rang once again. It was the third voice he was quite baffled with. Now, he could see where its source lies.
"Conceptual hijacking… It's really that world."
The Eternal Land, Amphoreus.
It was a world explored by the Trailblaze in the game. Although its presentation is questionable, the story it held is unquestionable.
In particular, there was a being known to hold the power of Infinite Roads. Although long dead, his traces greatly overlap with Aleph's authorities, thus creating a special resonance.
'Why Amphoreus..?'
For now, he thought Amphoreus held the same 'line-up' as his Earth. Multiple talented individuals could be granted infinite possibilities to go further their path.
Once the entire explored universe is considered, there are only a few people who could touch the borders of Divinity.
The Genius Society only had eighty-four members after countless eons. These eighty-four are chosen due to the fact they could breach the Circle of Knowledge. Touching the level of complex information is something a select few could do—and Earth had five of them alone. Six if the Pink Elf is considered.
In short, Earth's Previous Era line-up is extremely stacked.
'I should build an organization of sorts…'
When it came to this, Aleph felt incredulous. Everything that he needed—from people to a good headquarters (Spirit World)—was given to him. He only needs to take the last step to become an intergalactic boss.
These thoughts were cut short as he stepped into a familiar rocky surface. Everything was halted.
All that remained are the memories of his confrontation with the Cocoon of Finality.
"Back then, these random attacks… No, it was the other Kevin's struggles."
One memory stood out the most.
While fighting the Cocoon, the latter used its ability to superimpose other parallel worlds. It is the equivalent of the fourteenth Herrscher's attack superimposed thousands of times.
Along that attack were the projections of Kevin's fight against the Cocoon. Aleph did not think much of it before, but now that he was standing in that very same battlefield, it came to his mind.
'As an Aeon… most of my battles are now philosophical.'
Aleph sighed at the irony of it. He missed the times he hacked and slashed hordes of honkai beasts. It was pure and simple. Now, he runs the risk of becoming an unfeeling God, something he does not want to happen. All he could do is to balance things out; to spend more time with his close friends and lovers.
However, his upgrades into the [Lord of the Mysteries] opened up another possibility.
'Once I become as strong as Terminus, I might not have to worry about this anymore.'
Just then, Aleph felt someone's presence.
"Was it still about the macaroons you left in the refrigerator?"
"That's not it."
He looked back and saw the gorgeous pink elf in front of him. Different from her attire as a Fire MOTH, she wore the white gown of the Herrscher of Origin. If Idrilla is active, there would be no doubt Elysia would become their Emanator.
Her smile alone makes everyone weak on their knees. It was not physical beauty, but the embodiment of perfection. Her appearance, personality, aura…
It makes her likeable by everyone, just as how she likes everyone equally.
It was precisely because of it that Aleph doubted something.
"You haven't made your wish."
"Uh-hum."
"Why?"
"Because I am waiting for you."
Her words made him pause.
"When you disappeared, I felt something strange. I did not understand what it was until Mobius' acts."
Her pair of fascinating purple pupils stared directly at him.
"You did not leave. It is this world that is the problem."
Aleph saw her imaginary glasses flashing. That was the vibe she gave off.
"I thought I could help… that the day of your return is inevitable."
"...Eating desserts finally paid off."
Her seriousness was broken by Aleph's joke.
"Hey! I can't get fat now."
"So you admit to gaining weight when eating them back then?"
"This cute girl does not gain weight~!"
"Then, what is this?"
He conjured three pieces of document in his hand. The moment Elysia saw it, her pupils shrank. It was her document.
"As you can see…"
Aleph did not continue speaking but pointed at the section of [Weight] in three papers.
[Weight: 53.5 kg]
[Weight: 53.9 kg]
[Weight: 54.8 kg]
"..."
"..."
"This is in the span of two years, I must say."
"..."
The truth was revealed. Elysia did, in fact, gain weight.
It took some time for the awkwardness in her eyes to disappear. What replaced it is a wry smile.
"My first two years in Fire MOTH showed me the deliciousness of desserts. I can't hold back."
"Do you regret it?"
Elysia felt that these words had a different meaning.
Do you regret seeing all of humanity?
Unsurprisingly, the answer that came out of her lips remained the same.
"No." She replied. "Humans have flaws. They don't have to be perfect."
The Herrscher of Origin loved humanity without discrimination. It is a part of her character—the realizations that shaped the Elysia of today. The good things and the bad things, she did not shy away from them.
She is the most perfect being who wants to embrace humanity.
It is that reason that made Aleph confused.
Why wait for him?
"I had a feeling. If I did not wait, I will regret it. And…" She paused before drawing closer to him. "Humans don't have to be perfect, do they?"