Read 15 Chapters ahead on my P@treon...
p@treon.com/MayaMatengele01
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Levi once again lightly touched the ring on his right hand and retrieved a diamond-like object the size of an eye, along with several other mystical materials.
He handed them to Florent and said, "Florent, you are the son of the late Elder Martin. You should have inherited the Beyonder characteristics left by your father. However, the contamination from the evil god has made those characteristics extremely malevolent..."
"...After I recovered them, some inanimate objects nearby began to… give birth to children? Or something else... If I hadn't been in the habit of storing mystical items separately, the losses could have been catastrophic..."
"...In the end, I had to use the 'Ancestral Staff' to completely destroy those characteristics. So, your portion of the 'Astrologer' Beyonder characteristics is gone. But you are an Abraham family member who aspires to advance and bring glory to our name. Though you are still weak, I believe you can become strong. Take this Beyonder characteristic, advance, and strive to restore the glory that belongs to us, the Abraham family!"
By the end of his speech, the elderly, slightly portly man seemed to be on the verge of shouting, but he restrained himself and handed the 'diamond' to Florent.
Turning his back to the three Abraham family members, his body trembling slightly, Levi once again used the ring to retrieve a black staff adorned with gemstones.
His resolve solidified as he tapped the staff twice, causing two shimmering, ethereal doors to appear. Through these doors, glimpses of strange worlds could be seen.
Levi turned back to Florent and Circe, "You two, go ahead and return. Don't worry, I've already used the 'Ancestral Staff' to shield you from divination. The effect will last for up to a year. If I manage to kill the 'Witch' pretending to be my personal maid, you likely won't have to worry. But if I fail, you must both become true 'Astrologers'. The conditions are harsh, but please, strive to survive."
Florent decisively stepped toward the shimmering, otherworldly door before him. However, Circe seemed to hesitate, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something.
But Amadi with his usual carefree smile interjected, "Circe, don't think that fleeing now is shameful. Preserving your life to ensure the Abraham family never perishes is far better than staying here, where we could all be wiped out at any moment. Even this young 'Apprentice' understands that better than you. Now, go."
Circe, a strong-willed woman, looked at the two elders but said nothing. She simply nodded silently, her expression growing even more resolute, and walked through her designated door without hesitation.
As Florent reached the door, he glanced back at the three 'Astrologers'. Seeing that Circe had been persuaded by the irreverent new elder, he didn't wait for further results and stepped through the shimmering portal, which was composed of indescribable colors.
Instantly, Florent found himself in a world where the primary colors; red, green, and blue were intensified to an extreme.
These colors no longer blended to form other hues; instead, red remained red, even when mixed with other colors, and the same applied to green and blue. This world defied the natural laws Florent knew, or perhaps it operated under entirely different rules.
In this world without clear directions; no up, down, left, or right... Florent noticed seven beams of light above him...
Though his spiritual intuition told him that reaching those lights was impossible, he felt an inexplicable certainty that they were indeed above him. This chaotic, forced perception was nauseating, like being drunk or dizzy.
Florent shook his head, closed his eyes, and sought guidance from his inner spirituality. Following his intuition, he took three or four steps and suddenly found himself on the rooftop of his home, a place he had never visited in the past two days.
The rooftop was adorned with a small pavilion featuring a transparent roof, surrounded by hardy plants and flowers. Despite his absence and lack of care, the flowers were thriving.
Under the crimson moonlight, the flowers exuded an unusual vitality. Florent gazed at the blood-red moon, the deep black sky, and the twinkling stars.
He walked into the pavilion, sat on the sofa, and fell into deep contemplation...
Though he had considered many possibilities, the events of the day had left him stunned. He needed a moment to collect his thoughts...
...
On the other side, the stern-faced Levi and the ever-relaxed Amadi watched as Florent and Circe stepped through the Traveler's Door one after the other.
Once the two had safely arrived at their respective homes, the shimmering doors slowly faded, leaving the two men in silence.
But the silence didn't last long. Time was of the essence. Levi turned to Amadi and said, "Follow me."
As they made their way to the first floor, Levi asked, "Aren't you going to ask why I didn't let you leave?"
Amadi chuckled, his usual carefree demeanor intact, "You're anxious, old man... Of course I know what you're planning. Someone as responsible as you must realize that the Demoness Sect has sent a demigod. You're preparing to fight to the death. And you want me to clean up some loose ends, like that personal maid. Maybe even take over the 'Ancestral Staff' for you..."
Levi shot Amadi a look of exasperation. "You… you're good at everything. Sharp judgment, exceptional talent, perfect looks... you're practically heaven's favorite. If only you were a bit more serious, you'd have digested your potion and become an elder long ago. Ah, you…"
Amadi lazily smiled, "I don't like responsibility. If it weren't for the urgency of the situation and the risk of you dying, I'd prefer to remain an 'Astrologer' without becoming an elder. You thrive on responsibility, but for me and many others in the family, the role of elder is like poison. Everyone fears it."
Levi didn't respond, merely glancing at Amadi before falling silent. For some reason, Levi's usual calm and serious demeanor always seemed to vanish in Amadi's presence. But now, both men lapsed into a prolonged silence.
As they descended the candlelit staircase, their footsteps seemed to stir the flickering flames. Their shadows swayed in the candlelight, yet their resolve remained unshaken.
"Are you afraid?" Levi suddenly asked as they neared the first floor.
"I am. And you?" Amadi's mischievous smile was gone, replaced by a calm expression and a tone so steady, it was almost unsettling.
"I'm not afraid." Levi stood with his back to the candlelight, his face completely shadowed.
No one could see his expression...