The morning after their celebration, Astraeus woke with a clear head and a sense of purpose. He had access to resources now that most mages spent years working toward. The restricted library section alone contained knowledge that could accelerate his growth significantly—if he used it wisely.
After a quick breakfast, he headed to the guild hall. The building was quieter in the early morning, with only a few dedicated mages already at work. He approached the main desk where a stern-looking woman with silver-streaked hair sat reviewing paperwork.
"Excuse me. I'd like to access the restricted library section."
She looked up, her eyes sharp and assessing. "Name and rank?"
"Astraeus Ren. Apprentice."
She consulted a ledger, found his name, and nodded. "Badge."
He showed her his Apprentice badge, and she examined it briefly before returning it. "Third floor, east wing. The restricted section is behind the red door. Your badge will grant you entry, but be aware that all books taken from that section are logged. If anything goes missing, you'll be held accountable."
"Understood. Thank you."
He climbed the stairs to the third floor, passing the general library where several mages studied at tables covered with open books and notes. The east wing was quieter, more isolated, and at its end stood a door painted deep crimson with silver runes etched into its surface.
Astraeus approached, and the runes flared with light as his badge came near. The door swung open silently, revealing a smaller library beyond—perhaps a quarter the size of the main collection, but the books here radiated power. He could feel the essence woven into their bindings, preservation spells that had kept them intact for decades or centuries.
Careful, Kha'Zul warned. Some of these texts contain knowledge that can damage an unprepared mind. Don't read anything that makes your essence recoil instinctively.
"What am I looking for?"
Start with dimensional theory. Understanding how reality's barriers work will help you seal rifts more efficiently. Then look for anything on Voidborn behavior patterns, weaknesses, origins. Finally, if they have anything on Ethereal Lords, read it. Even basic information could save your life someday.
Astraeus moved through the shelves, reading titles. Many were in languages he didn't recognize, but enough were in common tongue to provide options. He pulled several books:
"Dimensional Mechanics and Barrier Theory" by Archmage Theron Vale
"Creatures of the Void: A Comprehensive Study" by Scholar Mira Blackwood
"The Ethereal Realms: Observations and Warnings" by Guildmaster Helena Cross
"Advanced Sealing Techniques" by Master Sealer Darius Crane
The last name caught his attention—same surname as both the guildmaster and his teammate. Possibly a relative, or just coincidence.
He settled at a reading table and opened the first book. The dimensional mechanics text was dense, filled with complex diagrams and mathematical formulas that described how reality maintained its structure. According to the author, reality existed in layers—the physical world, the ethereal realm where essence flowed, and the void beyond where nothing should exist.
Dimensional rifts occurred when these layers became thin or damaged, allowing void entities to cross into the physical world. The barriers weakened naturally over time but could be strengthened through essence reinforcement or sealed if breached.
This is accurate, Kha'Zul confirmed. Though simplified. Reality is more complex than three layers, but this model is useful for practical applications.
Astraeus spent two hours absorbing the theory, making notes, and practicing the mental exercises the book recommended for perceiving dimensional barriers. By the end, he could sense the barriers around him—not see them exactly, but feel them, like a subtle pressure against his essence.
[SKILL IMPROVED: BASIC DIMENSIONAL SEALING (15/100 → 25/100)]
The Voidborn study was more disturbing. It contained detailed descriptions of various Voidborn types, each more horrifying than the last. The creatures he'd faced were classified as "Lesser Voidborn"—the weakest and most common variety. Above them were Greater Voidborn, which could manipulate reality locally, and Void Horrors, which were essentially living rifts that spread corruption wherever they went.
And above all of them were the Void Lords—entities of such power that a single one could destroy a city in minutes.
Those are what you'll face eventually, Kha'Zul said grimly. Not yet. You're nowhere near ready. But as the barriers continue to fail, stronger entities will cross over. It's inevitable.
"How do you kill a Void Lord?"
You don't. Not alone. It requires coordinated efforts from multiple Master-level mages, or a single Archmage with specialized equipment. Even then, casualties are expected.
"Encouraging."
I'm not here to encourage you. I'm here to keep you alive long enough to become strong enough to matter.
The book on Ethereal Realms was the most fascinating and the most dangerous. It described the spaces between dimensions where the Ethereal Lords resided—beings of pure essence who'd transcended physical form. According to the author, Ethereal Lords were neither good nor evil, but they viewed reality from perspectives so alien that their actions seemed arbitrary or malicious to humans.
Some Ethereal Lords maintained reality's barriers, preventing total collapse. Others sought to tear them down, believing physical reality was a mistake that should be corrected. And a few simply didn't care, pursuing goals incomprehensible to mortal minds.
The book included warnings: attempting to contact an Ethereal Lord was suicide. Attempting to summon one was genocide. Attempting to bind one was impossible and would result in the immediate death of anyone foolish enough to try.
Except for the God System, Kha'Zul noted. Which apparently found a way to bind me—a Demon King—to your soul. That shouldn't be possible either, yet here we are.
"Do you think the God System is an Ethereal Lord?"
Possibly. Or something similar. It has power on that scale, and it's clearly operating with goals beyond normal comprehension. Why else would it resurrect a dead academy student and bind him to a demon?
"To create a Reality Anchor. To prevent dimensional collapse."
Yes, but why you specifically? There are thousands of more qualified candidates. Archmages, Master Sealers, experienced warriors. Why choose someone who died because he froze in combat?
Astraeus had wondered the same thing many times. "Maybe because I was available? I died near you, the system needed a vessel, and I was convenient?"
Maybe. Or maybe it saw something in you that others lack. Potential, adaptability, desperation. Whatever the reason, you're stuck with the role now.
Astraeus moved on to the sealing techniques book, which was more practical. It described various methods for closing dimensional rifts, from temporary patches that lasted hours to permanent seals that could endure for centuries. The techniques ranged from basic (which he already knew) to master-level (which would take years to learn).
One technique caught his attention: the Resonance Seal. Instead of forcing a rift closed through raw power, it worked by matching the rift's dimensional frequency and gently encouraging it to collapse naturally. It required less essence but demanded perfect control and deep understanding of dimensional mechanics.
That's worth learning, Kha'Zul said. You have the control for it, and it would let you seal rifts without depleting your entire essence pool.
Astraeus spent another hour studying the Resonance Seal technique, memorizing the essence patterns and mental frameworks required. It was complex, but he could see how it would work. He'd need to practice, but it was definitely achievable.
[SKILL LEARNED: RESONANCE SEAL (DIMENSIONAL) (1/100)]
By the time he left the restricted library, it was past noon, and his mind was full of new knowledge. He'd barely scratched the surface of what was available, but he'd made significant progress.
Good work, Kha'Zul said. Knowledge is power, especially for mages. The more you understand, the more efficiently you can apply your essence.
"What's next?"
Physical training. You're growing stronger in essence manipulation, but your body is still weak. If you can't move quickly or endure extended combat, all the essence in the world won't save you.
Astraeus headed to the advanced training facilities, which were located in the guild hall's basement. The facilities were impressive—multiple training rooms with reinforced walls, practice dummies that could absorb essence attacks, and equipment for physical conditioning.
He found an empty room and began a brutal training regimen that Kha'Zul designed on the spot. Strength exercises, agility drills, endurance runs, combat forms. The demon pushed him relentlessly, never satisfied, always demanding more.
"Again," Kha'Zul said as Astraeus completed a set of essence-enhanced strikes against a practice dummy. "Faster. Your form is sloppy when you're tired, and combat doesn't stop because you're exhausted."
Astraeus repeated the sequence, his muscles burning, sweat dripping down his face. Again. And again. And again.
[SKILL IMPROVED: BASIC COMBAT TECHNIQUES (35/100 → 45/100)]
Two hours later, he was barely standing, his stamina depleted, his body screaming for rest. But he was stronger. Faster. More capable.
That's enough for today, Kha'Zul finally said. Rest and recover. Tomorrow we do it again.
Astraeus staggered to the guild's bathing facilities, cleaned up, then headed to the Copper Bell. He was too tired to cook or even think about food, so he ordered dinner from the innkeeper and ate mechanically, his mind already shutting down.
As he climbed the stairs to his room, he encountered Marcus Thorne in the hallway.
"Astraeus. Good timing. I wanted to talk to you."
"About what?"
"Your training. I've been watching your progress, and it's remarkable. You're advancing faster than anyone I've seen in twenty years of teaching."
"I had good motivation. Almost dying tends to focus the mind."
Marcus smiled slightly. "True. But motivation alone doesn't explain it. You have natural talent, yes, but more than that, you have understanding. You don't just memorize techniques—you comprehend the principles behind them. That's rare."
"Thank you. I try to understand rather than just copy."
"It shows. Which is why I wanted to offer you something. Private instruction. Once a week, we work together on advanced techniques, theory, whatever you want to focus on. No charge—consider it an investment in a promising student."
Astraeus was surprised. Private instruction from a senior instructor was valuable, the kind of opportunity most mages would pay significant gold for.
"Why?"
"Because talent like yours shouldn't be wasted. And because I think you're going to face serious challenges in the future. The dimensional crisis is getting worse, and we need people who can handle it. I want to make sure you're as prepared as possible."
Accept, Kha'Zul said immediately. This is valuable. He has decades of experience and knowledge that could accelerate your growth significantly.
"I accept. Thank you, Marcus. I appreciate it."
"Good. We'll start next week. For now, get some rest. You look like you're about to collapse."
"I feel like it too."
Marcus laughed and continued down the hallway. Astraeus entered his room, dropped onto the bed, and pulled up his status screen.
[LEVEL: 6]
[HEALTH: 140/140]
[ETHEREAL ESSENCE: 90/90]
[STAMINA: 25/100]
[ATTRIBUTES:]
•Strength: 12
•Agility: 14
•Intelligence: 21
•Wisdom: 12
•Constitution: 13
[SKILLS:]
•Intermediate Ethereal Manipulation (50/200)
•Basic Dimensional Sealing (25/100)
•Basic Combat Techniques (45/100)
•Basic Essence Constructs (5/100)
•Resonance Seal (Dimensional) (1/100)[GUILD RANK: APPRENTICE]
Progress. Real, measurable progress. His skills were advancing, his knowledge deepening, his capabilities expanding. But the gap between where he was and where he needed to be was still vast.
You're doing well, Kha'Zul said quietly. Better than I expected, honestly. Most humans would have broken under this training regimen. You just keep pushing forward.
"Because I don't have a choice. If I stop, if I slow down, people die. Maybe my friends. Maybe entire cities. I can't let that happen."
That's the difference between you and the person who died in those ruins. That Astraeus was afraid and froze. This Astraeus is afraid and acts anyway. Fear is fine. Paralysis is death.
"Did you ever feel fear? When you were the Demon King?"
Constantly. Fear of failure, of weakness, of losing what I'd built. Fear kept me sharp, kept me alive for three thousand years. Anyone who claims to be fearless is either lying or too stupid to recognize danger.
"That's... actually comforting."
Good. Now sleep. Tomorrow we train harder.
Astraeus closed his eyes, his body already sinking into exhaustion-driven sleep. His last thought was of the books he'd read, the techniques he'd learned, the path stretching ahead of him.
Fifty years to godhood.
One day at a time.
He could do this.
He had to.