What Tatsumi did not expect was that the event swept over him as if he were the constant. First, Ame had helped him to get some leave permission for both the school and his current job for five days.

“Why is it five days?” Tatsumi asked since he could only know what he must do but not the specific details leading to that, or even after the event.

“We need time to prepare for something that can be considered big.” Ame explained to Tatsumi before she continued, “Furthermore, this is also an opportunity for us to get to know the Transcendent Academy in the Thebes Independence Kingdom.”

Tatsumi agreed with her on the former but he turned serious when hearing the latter.

“It is said that the Transcendent Academy was built to study, research, learn and utilize the transcendent energy source. Is that true?” Tatsumi naturally knew some information from the Afterlife but he needed someone in this place to at least add what he did not know.

As expected, upon hearing Tatsumi speak, Ame had a contemplative look before answering.

“You are correct. The main reason that we need to know the Transcendent Academy is that they are the forefront when it comes to the transcendent energy source. They are the masters when it comes to the effect of the transcendent energy source to the human body as well….as becoming Transcendent.”

Tatsumi’s eyes glittered when hearing that. He remembered that it was the case since some of the deceased were Transcendent and scientists coming from there.

But still there was new information that another transcendent energy source had been discovered. The Transcendent Academy still did not know what to do with it other than being an object to research but some speculate that one could utilize it just like with the undead element.

“Ame, do you want to be a Transcendent? Because it looks to me that you are aiming to be one.” Tatsumi noticed that Ame relayed this to him not only for him but also for her.

He felt that it was normal to pursue whatever interest one had as long as it did not bother the others.

Ame nodded solemnly. Her eyes gazed into the distance as she remembered something.

Currently they were on the way to the airport, where domestic and international flights were available.

Tatsumi could feel that he had mostly recovered; he should not overexert himself. But what made him want to speak more was because they shared a ride that made Tatsumi uncomfortable.

They were currently in a luxurious car from what Tatsumi understood. This was done so that the passengers could comfortably enjoy themselves.

But to him, it felt like an indirect torture as the silence almost haunted him. This occurred whenever they had nothing to speak about.

Even when they boarded the plane, Tatsumi and Ame only exchanged words when it came to something important such as the passport or the luggage. Other than that, they did not speak.

Time passed and when Tatsumi knew it, they had arrived in the Thebes Independence Kingdom.

When referred to ‘them’, it was actually Tatsumi, Ame, and her shadow guards, Long Wu and Ame’s father. As for Chen Fei, Ame had him contact Nene and Hua Fei about the sudden activity and told him that it would last for five days.

Ame even procured important documents that showed the involvement of the Hinon Federation in the activity. Even the high school and everyone else in the Federation would know that it was significant.

“I can’t believe that Father God had to drag me here for something supposedly important.” Tatsumi lamented his situation but he knew that this event was important enough that the Father God contacted all in the Afterlife to inform him about it.

“Are you nervous?” Ame asked with a tinge of concern in her voice.

“What? No, not really. Just curious about how things turn out.” Tatsumi waved his hand in denial. He was not nervous, he was more curious than nervous, but he appreciated the sentiment.

“There is a phenomenon where the passenger of a plane feel like their legs are quite sore. I thought you would experience it.” Ame said softly.

“Eh? I feel fine ever since coming out of the plane, though.” Tatsumi was sure that his body was fine and healthy even.

But when he shifted his gaze to the large building whose pillar was made from marble, Tatsumi could not help but feel like the building was majestic yet had the air of a piece of art.

“This building is good. A piece in human history.” Tatsumi commented as he also had the impression from the predecessor so he had a lot in mind. But when he personally witnessed the building, he had to come up with his own opinion.

“This building is where the Transcendent Academy is located.” Long Wu said.

“How did you know that?” Tatsumi asked. He knew since he had the experience from the deceased but Tatsumi wanted to know how Long Wu got to know that.

“Well, I have seen the picture of the building before so I know when I see one.” Long Wu replied but then he asked, “How about that offer? Do you still reconsider it?”

Tatsumi knew what Long Wu was talking about. It was a matter of taking Long Wu as his teacher. Tatsumi did not know what Long Wu saw in him that Long Wu wanted to make him his disciple so vehemently.

But he considered it seriously. First, Long Wu was a Transcendent so that was a plus. Second, he had skills that Tatsumi lacked so that was covered. But what about his ability to teach? Well, Tatsumi believed that he was a quick learner so he was confident about anything that Long Wu might throw at him.

‘The problem is that the relationship between a teacher and disciple is as important as a child to a parent is. Well…let me reply to it sometime in the future. I don’t want to answer right now. I want my teacher to be capable of not only protecting my family but also protecting me at the very least.’

Just as the group was relishing the sight of the building, two people came to them from within the building.

Tatsumi noticed that he felt an imminent threat the moment he locked eyes with the burly man in a white robe. His eyes were penetrating, and his black hair and goatee had some white in them.

‘This is definitely a Transcendent!’ Tatsumi thought so, and Long Wu narrowed his eyes to the burly man.

At this time Mikazuki Yamaguchi stepped forward and greeted the man.

“We are here on the diplomatic order from the Federation. You should probably check this for certainty.” He said while giving the burly man a certain paper.

The burly man read the paper before a light flashed in his eyes and his expression turned softer and more approachable.

“So your group is the one that will be participating in the ceremony. I, Hecates, will be the one who guides you from heretofore.” The burly man introduced himself. But in his mind, he had a lingering thought.

‘Why is it that there is another Transcendent in the group? That middle-aged man makes me feel threatened. Better not to provoke them unless there is a strong justification for it.’

Then the group gathered behind Hecates before he permitted them to enter the Transcendent Academy.

He started with the introduction of the academy which was created for studying the transcendent energy source.

“As you can see, this is one of the recent products created by the scientist from the academy. This piece of minerals has been infused with the Malicium and Etherium to create another effect. Try it out if you are curious.” Hecates said to the group.

Tatsumi was naturally curious about the effect so he became the first one to step out and try the minerals which stood a head taller and also as wide as two people by standing near it.

As soon as he stood near a meter, something strange happened. Tatsumi could see the reflection of himself from the clean surface of the mineral. But what was surprising was that there were others besides him.

Some of them were familiar, the others were a total stranger to him. Not only that, but those unfamiliar to him had a scary face on them. Tatsumi was not scared just by that.

‘Don’t tell me that this piece of mineral can reflect the inner part of a human? I can see Uncle Kudungga in the reflection. Those I don’t recognize are probably those who managed to connect with me but through the Hasis.’ Tatsumi thought about it and discovered that this was likely to be the case.

As for Hasis, it was the means for those quarantined in the Afterlife to communicate with the living beings. The fact that the mineral could reflect what was going on in the unseen was surprising enough for Tatsumi.

“Does this thing reflect our deepest self?” Tatsumi asked with a formal smile. His eyes focused on Hecates as he wanted to hear the details.

“That is indeed one of its effects. But seeing that you are able to discuss this with me means that you are strong mentally.” Hecates rubbed his goatee as he started to take notice of the young man.

“Meaning there is another effect?” Tatsumi did not know the other effect as he did not experience it. But he took the hint that it should affect someone with a weaker mental faculty.

Tatsumi moved aside and let Ame try it next. She was composed when she stepped forward but when she reached a meter from the piece of mineral, she shivered.

Tatsumi raised his eyebrow. He could not see clearly the reflection but it depicted something a bit creepy. Even he felt that the reflection managed to make him feel a goosebump. He did not know what the reflection meant but it looked like Ame was affected severely by it.

Ame breathed in and out several times and stepped out of the one-meter range of the mineral.

“How do you feel?” Tatsumi asked.

“It is something that I will never forget. What about you?” Ame replied while probing for something.

“Well, there is some surprise to be sure. But overall, it is a novel experience.”

“I see. You are having a good time while I have to suffer. Truly, this world is not fair.”

Tatsumi swore that he could see Ame sulking and pouting. Perhaps he should not be too comfortable and had a shocked expression on his face so that she would be more accepting of her result.

 Then the shadow guards were also having a hard time when the reflection appeared. Followed by Mikazuki Yamaguchi who was also affected by the reflection.

‘What does that mean?’ Tatsumi asked himself but he could not pinpoint the exact reason.

What he did know was that a strong mentality definitely did not cause him to see a reflection that could terrify him.

As proof, Mikazuki Yamaguchi and the two shadow guards of Ame experienced something while he did not.

When Long Wu stepped forward, he had a moment where his body shivered before he regained calmness. Tatsumi noticed that and did not know what factor could affect it.

Long Wu took a deep breath before he side-stepped.

“That is truly terrifying. Who would have thought that you could use the transcendent energy source to resonate with the self so deeply? My horizon has been broadened.” Long Wu said with a smile.

Hecates had to admit that Long Wu was capable enough that he could see the workings of the thing the academy had.

“This is just one of the products the Transcendent Academy has produced.” Footsteps could be heard as a dwarf with grey hair appeared from the hall that connected to the location of the mineral.

‘Hmm, a dwarf in this place is really a part of the society. As expected of this place.’ Tatsumi had to admit that Thebes Independence Kingdom was fit to be the former center of governance.

Since the kingdom had declared the law that let dwarves be treated no differently than humans, the kingdom kept their declaration and let the dwarves prove themselves.

“Ah, you are here Romanov. How about the test with the Etherium?” Hecates asked.

As far as he knew, Romanov was in charge of testing compatibility with the physical body. The fact that he came here meant that something had happened.

“Well, the test is ongoing. It is just that I want to get as many people as possible to be part of my test. I heard that there will be guests coming so I want to ask them about joining.” Romanov answered with a leisurely attitude.

“What test?” Tatsumi could hear what the two were saying and concluded that it must be some sort of important test.

But to include them in the test, wasn’t that a bit too hasty?

“Oh, look at him.” Romanov caught sight of Tatsumi and his face instantly beamed with a smile. Tatsumi actually thought of something before he realized what was going on.

‘Don’t tell me that he is one of the rare dwarves who can achieve the union of person and technique. If so, then he might actually see that I have been blessed.’ Tatsumi mused.

The blessing was actually just a small gift that Annie had given to him. She said that she was giving it to him because Tatsumi was the first person Charlene had invested much effort into.

And he knew that Charlene and Annie were kind of best friends so he gratefully accepted the gift. Who would have thought that it would turn out like this?

Romanov patted Tatsumi on the shoulder as if he were proud to do so.

“Uhm, Mister Romanov, can you tell me about the test? What is it about?” Tatsumi asked.

“How about I explain it while you all walk along with me?” Romanov replied.

The rest of the group agreed and they walked behind Romanov who started to explain the reason the test was conducted.

“We have recently discovered a new Transcendent energy source. Although we have possessed it long before the declaration of the new energy source but what’s important is that we have learned that the new transcendent energy source can be applied to at least almost every living being.” Romanov explained.

Tatsumi was a bit surprised that the recently discovered Etherium turned out to be the new transcendent energy source. The issue lay in the fact that everyone could use it. He went into contemplation.

This can be your opportunity. Kudungga expressed himself.

‘Do you mean this can be the shortcut I need to wield a transcendent power?’ Tatsumi asked for confirmation. He also had that thought, so hearing Kudungga expressing it like that made him more determined to get it.

Then Romanov continued, “Because of that reason, we conducted several tests to see the compatibility of a being with the new transcendent energy source. So far, the highest rate of compatibility is no more than seventy percent. We sought to see someone who could at least, in theory, achieve one hundred percent compatibility. That is why we are still doing this test.”

Ame was astonished when she heard that. Her eyes widened as she realized what the Transcendent Academy wanted to do.

“Sir, do you want to develop a Transcendent different from those in the past?” Ame asked.

Romanov nodded his head in agreement. He also felt that the group of guests this time was actually quite impressive.

“Yes. Previously, the Transcendent that humans can produce could only come from those with a specific trait and also with the undead element, one of the transcendent energy sources.

This made the limitation clear; only those who have the Necromancer’s Trait can wield the undead element while the rest get negative effects from the energy source. This made the number of Transcendents limited. What humans want is to make everyone able to wield the transcendent energy sources, no matter the condition.

Therefore, the moment we determine that there is a new transcendent energy source is the moment when we test it on all living beings, no matter the subject. We found out that it can be applied to all living beings through various tests. This is the new hope that we can birth a different Transcendent.”

As Romanov spoke, the group walked while listening to the explanation. Tatsumi saw many novel things on the way. He could see that the tools here were the accumulation of thirty years of research and study and he appreciated every one of them.

The others also looked at the things around them but did not touch them. It was because there was a guard who would watch over the tools so that they would not be used recklessly.

Then they arrived at the large hall, where the hall interconnected with other large rooms and other halls.

There they could see a large crowd queuing in front of a large jade-colored crystal. The moment Tatsumi laid his eyes on the crystal, he knew that this was the other transcendent energy source that Romanov talked about.

It manifested in a jade-colored mist that was swirling around the crystal. Right in front of the large crystal which was equal to the height of two people and the width of three, there were people who apparently used a device to gauge something.

The device was mostly made from metal but the important point of the device was the glowing jade light that emanated from the center, which was connected to the crystal.

At this moment, there was a flash of light from the center of the device before the light slowly filled up the sphere in the center bit by bit until it reached half of the sphere.