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So from what I learned, the Talents that existed for a while now, and even the power to combine them through those strange, ancient towers or statues we found underground.
"So your aim is to protect this world because it will one day save the universe?" I asked. "From what?"
"That's as much as I can say within my authority…" She said. "However, aside from the help we grant to the living beings here, it isn't as if we can do something ourselves. We cannot interfere directly, for example."
"So you grant Talents, and Skills… Do you do all of that yourselves?" I asked her. "And also the Trials."
"That's right, our job as Regulators is to grant all those that desire it the power to fight back and protect this world," 0-10 said. "The Ancient Titans, Dragons, and Spirits of old fought to protect this world, and with our help, they were able to fend off the Ancient Enemy they had to battle to protect this world."
"Ancient Enemy… And who is this Ancient Enemy, 0-10?" I asked her. "If we are now fighting Demons, the previous foes… Were they Angels?"
"…" She remained in silence. "I cannot really say much, it is information I am not allowed to speak about. I apologize, Blake."
"It's fine," I sighed. "I am not going to force you to speak, and now that I know your intentions, I think I can believe you."
I quickly placed back my spear inside my grimoire, which appeared by my side as usual. It seems that we weren't in any special space other than inside the tower of trials itself.
"So your job here is to do these tasks and manage the power source all of humanity is drawing from to fight off potential threats, which will help us protect the world from destruction, hence, walking towards the path that'll lead to Spiritias saving the universe, I understand better now."
"Indeed, I am glad you understand well now, Blake," 0-10 said. "Anything else is simply beyond our power at the moment. We are Regulators but not complete Guardians after all, but we've given you the tools to grow and fight back, it is now humanity's choice to fight back or waste away the power. We oversee those that also grow beyond our expectations, such as you. For a while, all twelve Regulators in Spiritias have been discussing what to do with you."
"Is that so?" I wondered.
"Indeed, some had said that it would be better to take away your Grimoire, and the many powers you've obtained through it. Others say that that would be interfering with the world. And some say that you were altering the balance of the world by using a tool capable of not only using the power we've granted to humanity but exploit it."
"Is that so…? And so?" I asked.
"This trial has been watched by all Twelve of us. And although they are not present here, not a single one of them has disapproved of you now. We've seen up close the extent of your abilities, your charisma, your personality, and we've learned of your great heart. You're worthy of your power and more."
"Thanks, but I wasn't going to let you take it away either way." I said.
"Yes, I knew you would say that it was one of the reasons I volunteered to become your Regulator this time. But in the future, once you need to pass another trial, the Regulator might change, and it might not be me again. But bear in mind that I will be watching over you."
"I don't really want you to watch over me, I can take care of myself." I said.
"I knew you would say that… Now, are there more questions?"
I thought about it for some time and then I thought about something.
"Do you know who Sangre is? Have you met her? She is my patron Outer Goddess, the Mother of all Vampires from the Universe," I said.
"Sangre, yes, we know her," 0-10 said. "She is an Evil Outer Goddess that is currently working on her own, alone. She poses little threat to Master, however. So she is of no concern. That you've become her apostle means very little, as the conditions of your contract are fair and don't harm the integrity of the world. We also know you're using her, and that you don't genuinely ally with her."
"Yeah, you're smart I guess," I nodded. "Now tell me, 0-10, I spent seven days there, but how long did I spend in here?"
"Every day was an hour here, and seven hours have passed since you came. You entered the trial roughly around 1 PM, now it is 8 PM, if you hurry, it should be possible for you to join your friends for dinner," She said with a gentle smile.
"Only one hour per day… But it felt so fast, is this also because of your Time Manipulation?" I asked. 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
"Indeed, Trials might seem long, but little time passes in real life, actually. One day per hour is the norm," she said. "But sometimes, it can be several days per hour if the trial is longer. And don't you realize? Despite everything, your mind and body isn't tired."
"You're right… It feels just like I was before the trial even started, how?" I asked.
"Your body has been simply reversed to its original state, any power or ability you obtained there is also gone," she said.
"So the Neutonium Core or its Abilities were lost, huh?" I wondered.
"Indeed, and so your half-mechanical body, or any connection to other being," she explained. "I apologize if this might make you upset, but these are the rules of the trials."
"No, it's fine. My power alone is plenty," I nodded. "Now, will my Grimoire show me what I have earned, or will you showcase everything yourself?"
"I can take care of that," She said. "The Grimoire you have is very special, it can read through our System, and implement it into its pages, or even modify it slightly. But its help won't be necessary. Now Blake, let me tell you everything you've gained in this trial, and your many rewards, alongside your Ascension."
FLAAASH!
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