What is the use then? If time can't hold them, we have lost a leading advantage
. . . . . . . .
Albert Gregory Percival spends most of his time alone in his Office. After seeing his children go to school or work, his wives enjoying themselves, and his servants working diligently, he rewarded himself and took the day off.
Gregory prizes his privacy, as none of his children knows what's in the room. To discourage entry, Albert etched the words "Gregory Study, DO NOT ENTER" on the door.
Dressed in a pair of boxers, a red singlet, and brown sandals, he thoroughly enjoyed his reward while resting in his office: The Truth Canyon.
His office was a separate dimension that he purchased, perfectly encapsulating his love for order and knowledge.
The Truth Canyon looked infinite in size in all directions, with walls and buildings made entirely of bookshelves stretching into an unfeasible distance.
Books, sculptures, scrolls, Paintings, and stone tablets flew across the entire room, adding an unnatural sense of tranquillity.
His wide desk floated peacefully as if it were on water, and was decorated with rugs; the faces of his wives embroidered in each.
Albert was reading a peculiar book. The book was in tatters, with burnt or torn pages. The cover was badly damaged, with the title barely readable: T... Immo... tem.
Albert was not known to be deeply drawn to a book, but the one he was reading was different. The billionaire read each word with greed, as if the book demanded his total attention, and he obeyed.
As he was reading the book, he heard a knock.
A light tap tap tap
Since there wasn't a door in the common sense, the entire dimension resonated if a being demanded entry.
Gregory looked away from the book and dispelled the person knocking, but the tapping continued.
He tried to call for a servant with an Attribute, his brown sewned with annoyance.
Ravens were heard outside, as they cawed so loudly that the Mansion guards were instructed to chase them away, but the flock wouldn't leave.
As Albert was contemplating who to call, he felt a sudden drop in temperature. The knocking continued lightly, as the person on the other side waited patiently for an answer.
Al? Albert screamed. Mario? Hezekiah? Julius? Evelyn? Who is knocking?
The knocking continued, so light and gentle, and the sounds of the Ravens grew louder.
Albert was hesitant to allow the visitor in, as he felt the presence - a very dark, gloomy presence.
Albert ran his fingers under his desk and pushed a button. A behemoth, large and metal, with multiple runic symbols, appeared beside Albert and bowed.
The beast opened its wide mouth, revealing a golden portal whirring with mystical energy. Albert carefully placed the book in the portal, and the beast promptly vanished.
Albert relaxed in his seat.
He wasn't afraid or frightened, but he was curious.
Who dares walk into the Percival mansion, get through all the guards, and knock at the Dimensional study of Albert Gregor Percival?
Albert doesn't see this person as a guest but as an enemy that must be vanquished.
Albert started to brainstorm, trying to figure out who could be here.
An assassination attempt? Most likely, but why now in the middle of the day?
But in the middle of his internal debate, the sound of a light click echoed.
In front of Albert, reality seemed to unravel as a thin slit appeared in space itself. A metal claw reached out of the tear and began to expand it, revealing the visitor.
Albert was shocked and amused; this enemy came prepared.
The tear of the dimension creaked, and the expanse's temperature dropped drastically, making Albert regret wearing a singlet.
The figure walked over to Albert, or hovered.
It was the black-robed man.
I was headed for Black Meadows, but I felt my property nearby... and I decided to stop by. The man spoke in a husky but polished voice with a slight smile.
What do you want from me? Albert asked.
The man stared intently at Albert. It's not good to take what is not yours. The book, where is it?
Albert's face showed no sign of fear. I have no idea who you are talking about. I have a lot of books. You can call me a bookworm, but I prefer the term intelligent, brilliant, or even old-minded.
The man showed no sign of impatience.
A wise old man, I see. The man complimented. I would love to discuss with you, but I am in a hurry. The book that you discovered on the 17th moon on the Planet Kiurtope, the book with no cover, no name, but with vast knowledge, give me the book, now.
Albert tilted his head and leaned forward. You infiltrated my heavily guarded mansion, meaning I either have a traitor or you are very powerful. Which is it?
Suddenly, multiple golden portals appeared behind Albert, and many behemoths emerged from them, all lunging at the Figure.
The portals in their mouth glowed bright bloody red, charging up with Grace and malice.
A thick beam of energy escaped from their mouth with a loud bang. It traveled towards the head of the man, threatening to blow it off.
Albert was pleased with his competent defence and smiled. The man faced the spinning energy projectile coming at his head, closing in on his swamp-green eyes.
The Ravens' outburst grew more violent.
But realisation dawned on him.
The energy vanished into the man's bleeding eyes — and a heartbeat later, the behemoth's head erupted. Sparks and melted metal sprayed as the headless machines stumbled to the ground.
Albert still wasn't scared, but he was just amused.
Oh my, Albert thought. Was that divinity? A reflection ability? It stopped at 10 centicreters; is it the limit?
The man faced Albert, and surprisingly, not even a scratch was found on the man's pale face. Do you find it impressive? I prefer not to use the term 'Divinity'. Anyway, you are going to give me that book.
The man's slaver claws glistened. Or else...
Albert's right eye glowed bright orange.
The sound of the Ravens dampened.
And his heir felt the same adrenaline.
. . . . . . . .
Caesar was expecting a gloydon star, a well-done sticker, or even a word of appreciation. He didn't expect a ball of glowing green energy to be thrown at him.
His right eye turned crimson as the energy quickly approached him. "Is this the kind of school where teachers can just kill students?" Caesar thought dryly.
Caesar was about to punch the energy, but it swerved out of his hands at the last minute, and the energy exploded into a brilliant flash of light, which looked marvellous.
Always be ready for an attack. Ms Fiah said while writing her name on the large chalkboard with chalk. Very impressive. But I remembered saying that it was a reward, not a punishment.
The entire class chuckled, except for Caesar and Zeus. Caesar expected a real challenge, but he realised he had to stop overthinking.
Caesar sat down in his seat. Thank you for the reward.
Class started, and it was enjoyable.
While most teachers write on a chalkboard to explain far-fetched historical stories, Ms Fiah used her Divinity, Angel Kissing Light, to re-enact a story.
A story about a powerful but treacherous ghoul - Melios the Forbidden.
Once upon a time, 1200 years ago, there lived a legendary ghoul named Melios. He was born in a province of ghouls called Black Valley, a place prone to attacks by racist humans.
Ghouls are easily distinguished by long black horns protruding from their foreheads and, rarely, their pure black wings.
Melios lacked a Divinity due to a curse on his kind, but he was still potent. He learnt and acquired powers so great and advanced for his time; even empires feared his wrath.
With his overwhelming might, he ended the terror of Blak Valley and brought peace. But one day, he betrayed Zion's first king, Lord Winter, and led an army to claim a fallen empire, attempting to spread destruction and wrath that would scourge the world.
He used his most powerful weapon, the "Bell of Melios".
According to historians like Ms Fiah, the Bell of Melios was a large, pure gloydon bell, with unknown powers that could shatter order.
Researchers have no direct answer to what the bell was capable of; further study and theories confirmed it could destroy multi-continent-spanning empires.
Furthermore, it was theorised that the bell was connected to the moon, specifically Astrea. Apothecaries also proposed that the bell could allegedly rain down 'Curses' from the heavens, but they never established it.
These experts think they are smart, Ms Fiah joked. But we have to give them credit.
Ms Fiah's divinity showed the relentless battle: Melios' troops and the Winter's army killing each other mercilessly without stopping.
Fortunately, Melios' army was defeated and publicly executed, cementing ghouls as humanity's enemy for centuries, and the bell of Melios disappeared when Melios died, never to be found to date.
The story made no sense to Caesar, as he frantically touched his hair.
With few Brumite left, Caesar was desperate to satisfy his curiosity.
Teacher?
Yes, Caesar. Ms Fiah answered warmly.
Why weren't ghouls able to use divinity at that time? Caesar started. But they could use it now with other races.
Ms Fiah stared at Caesar intently, studying him with her sharp brown eyes.
That is Simple, Ms Fiah started. Divinity was originally meant for humans, but The Almighty gifted it to other races quite recently, with the earliest record being around 300 years ago. Happy?
Cool, cool, cool, Caesar slumped in his chair until his brain refused to stay idle.
Teacher?
Yes, Caesar?
How truly rare is a divinity, Caesar asked. Are there any factors that might influence the chance of receiving one?
Ms Fiah stared aimlessly, pondering the question.
Interesting, she whispered.
She briskly walked towards the chalkboard and started to scribble some words furiously. In a brief intermission, she wrote down 5 numbers. 1 in 1001, 10001, 100001, 1000001, and 10000001.
Divinity. Divinity. Divinity. Ms Fiah repeated. It is a very, very misunderstood power that I love to ramble on about. To put it in very, very, very simple terms, A divinity occurs when your Grace, or Rhema, which is the grace found in humans, mutates and forms like a core around your soul, allowing you to influence your Internal Grace, Rhema, or exterior grace, normally Grace, in a more unique way to influence reality. Since it's a mutation, it can be inherited or be brand new. The Almighty knows your fate, even before your parents met, and he decides if you are worthy of a Divinity.
Ms Fiah sighed. Basically, the world itself has a bias for the chosen. It always followed a strict rule of progression. And yet… every so often, The Almighty breaks His own rules. IT'S A GAMBLE!
Students exchanged glances with each other.
Even though it was widely believed to be based on The Almighty's wishes, our people like to look for the logical side of the story, Ms Fiah continued. By carefully recording Divinity awakenings over the last decades, Apothecaries and Statistics mathematicians have invented a "reliable" and "accurate" numerical probability of Awakening a Divinity. Or so they say.
Let's break it down, shall we? Ms Fiah pointed at the numbers inscribed on the board.
First, you have a 1 in 1,001 chance to be born with a useless Divinity. These are called the Simeon stage, referring to the name of an everyday individual, Ms Fiah said dramatically. Yes, I said useless divinities. Imagine a Divinity that lets you teleport… but only 3 centicreters, and with a 3-day cooldown. And believe me, I've met one.
The students booed.
Next up, you have a 1 in 10,001 chance to be born with a fairly useful divinity. Ms Fiah said with a waving hand motion. They are called the Ranger stage, and they can do some impressive tricks, but they aren't game-changers just yet. My third cousin has the Divinity to know the value of anything just by looking at it.
Sounds pretty useless to me. A student joked, and giggles filled the room.
Ms Fiah's gaze twinkled as she continued. Unto the next, you have a 1 in 100,001 chance of possessing a very useful divinity. These are the Champion stage, and this is where things get exciting. Take Zeus as an example.
She motioned towards Zeus, who suddenly jerked up. He was shocked to have his name called.
With his Divinity, he can literally summon storms or calm the skies. I'm sure he will wisely use it to make it rain whenever he naps.
The class burst out laughing, but a vein formed under Zeus' eyes. As the class was laughing, Caesar was wondering. He felt like a young kid again, sitting on his father's lap as he told him the secrets of the world.
Ms Fiah asked for silence, and decorum resumed
Even rarer than that, you have a 1 in 1,000,001 chance of getting a unique Divinity. They are called the Arcane stage, and who is a better example than my favourite student, Caesar?
Caesar wasn't surprised when he heard his name. He was well aware of how peculiar his Divinity was.
His divinity to control the 4 fundamental forces of the 3rd Heaven is truly one in a million. Ms Fiah made an evil grin. His control over heat, one of the fundamental forces, must be a quick and reliable method to boil rice.
Another round of laughter spread through the class. Caesar was dumbfounded. He refused to have his ability measured on a culinary scale.
Embarrassing, isn't it? Zeus whispered in Caesar's ear. Now you know how it feels, Rice cooker.
Zeus chuckled.
Keep quiet, rain snorer. Caesar whispered back.
Laughter rippled across the room until Ms Fiah called for silence.
This might sound crazy, but the last stage is widely considered impossible. Ms Fiah leaned in. Yes, it has occurred a few times before, but it hasn't been discovered for centuries. And to make matters worse, the few that were recorded births were so perfect, so stupidly precise, that it was confirmed that it could never be replicated.
The chance? Ms Fiah struck the board with her chalk so hard, it made a loud bang.The numbers experts could give us: you have a 1 in 10,000,001 chance of having two different divinities. These types of impossibilities are known as the Phantom stage.
Murmurs quickly spread across the classroom. Most pupils have heard of the phantom stage, but they believe it is a myth. They couldn't imagine how perfect a birth has to be in order ot have 2 divinities.
Wouldn't that make me one of them? Caesar asked, Since I can control 4 different forces, wouldn't that make me a phantom?
NO. Ms Fiah said sternly with no hesitation. Perhaps you lack a deeper understanding of your ability, Caesar. You don't actually control the forces themselves.
Don't I? Caesar questioned.
Is it a bad thing? Ms Fiah asked. According to your Divinity analysis, your true ability is to control a theoretical fifth force that binds all 4 other forces together like a bow. To be at the phantom stage, you have to have two completely different Divinities. It's like comparing your Pentagram to my Flashlight — two powers with no relation.
What if both of the Divinities are useless? Chalybe joked, and the class burst out laughing again, louder than before.
Oh my, Ms Fiah chuckled uncontrollably. How can you be so lucky and unlucky at the same time?
The laughter thundered through the class. It was so loud that Izobel was worried they would disturb other classes.
Caesar stared at the clock; 5 Brumites remaining. Caesar had just one last question, and he was in need to get it answered. If not, he was sure the question would eat him alive.
Teacher, I have one last final question.
Ms Fiah gently nodded, and Caesar stood up. He took a deep breath and envisioned his question in his mind. Caesar was unsatisfied.
But Teacher… if Divinity is this rare, how come there are 209 first-years, and the announcer said every single one has awakened? Doesn't that mean all of us beat impossible odds?
Some students shuffled in their seats uneasily, while others looked away. Caesar wondered if he had said something offensive.
Excellent question, Caesar. Ms Fiah raised a finger, but do you know that there are students who don't have Divinities? And yet, they remain at this Academy?