Author Note
Wassup my readers, it's your boy CycoPass back again with another chapter for your consumption.
This message is for the people reading my chapters as they drop. If you're stacking chapters, then keep scrolling—this ain't for you.
Quick heads-up: I edited the previous chapter, so before reading this one, go check out the new version first. It hits way harder now… or at least that's what my editor (ChatGPT) told me.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. I genuinely put my whole imagination and soul into it. It's literally midnight right now and I'm still here writing because I love doing this… fully knowing I have to wake up at 4 AM tomorrow for school.
And to make things worse, I've got TWO full papers on Friday:
- Pure Mathematics
- Physics
Pray for me.
Also, I won't be updating this novel tomorrow because I need to drop a new Son of the Sun chapter. Those readers have been starving.
You know the funny part? This is actually my favorite book to write, but somehow Son of the Sun gets way more attention. This one averages around 15 active readers daily while Son of the Sun pulls around 69.
That gap is actually insane.
I even tried recruiting readers from there to come read this one, but the numbers still haven't changed much.
Still, I appreciate every single person reading this story. Seriously.
And please keep dropping those reviews, comments, and power stones. You have NO idea how hyped I get whenever I see a real notification instead of just another "collection added" report.
A review literally made me start writing in the middle of school today while people were staring at me like I was crazy.
Anyway, sorry for the long rant.
Enjoy the chapter.
Peace.
— CYCOPASS OUT.
Chapter 21 : Eclipse and Light.
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Watching Leon disappear into the Divinity Room, I couldn't help but worry.
I wasn't naïve enough to believe all my children would awaken Graces, much less strong ones. Honestly, I was already convinced I had spent all my luck on Nicks and Jenna.
I just hoped Leon wouldn't take it too hard if he failed.
But as time passed without him coming back out—or being escorted out by the priests—the small hope I had buried deep down slowly began growing stronger.
Maybe…Maybe Leon actually had talent.
Then suddenly. An overwhelming torrent of magical energy exploded all over the cathedral.
The entire church trembled violently. The pressure alone nearly drove me to my knees as suffocating mana flooded the surroundings like a tidal wave.
And the world itself went dark.
Panic instantly gripped the cathedral. Children screamed while their mothers and fathers shouted in confusion.
Those with weaker wills collapsed unconscious on the spot.
My military instincts kicked in immediately.
'We're under Attack'.
That was the first thought that entered my mind.
Without hesitation, I rushed toward the Divinity Rooms.
I didn't care whether interrupting the ceremony would ruin Leon's chances or not. If the Capital was under attack, then I needed to be beside my son.
He could hate me for the rest of his life if he wanted.
###############################################################################################################
Outside the Grand Cathedral
Omni POV
At that exact moment, the entirety of the Capital Continent was swallowed beneath an overwhelming wave of mana.
The skies darkened.
Citizens throughout the city froze in shock as sunlight vanished beneath an enormous celestial phenomenon.
A gigantic ring of fire dominated the heavens themselves while the moon eclipsed the sun, leaving behind only a blazing halo of golden light around its edges.
An eclipse. Yet unlike any natural eclipse, magical energy poured endlessly from the darkened sky itself, spreading across the entire Capital like a divine proclamation.
Church bells rang wildly throughout the districts.
Priests dropped to their knees in prayer.
Several weaker individuals fainted from the pressure alone.
Even the tainted mana throughout the atmosphere was slowly being purified.
And at the center of it all. The Grand Cathedral was barely visible as the mana surrounding was so thick that light found it hard to escape it.
###############################################################################################################
Omni POV (Balcus Based)
Face-to-face with one of the Capital's bishops, Balcus couldn't help but feel slightly nervous.
"Lord Bartfort," the woman said politely, "thank you for agreeing to meet with me."
Her humility honestly caught him off guard. She lacked the arrogance most nobles in the Capital carried so naturally, especially the women among them.
'I guess not every noble lady in the Capital is like Zola and her friends,' Balcus thought silently.
What Balcus didn't know, however, was that the bishop sitting before him was the same woman overseeing Olivia's church and orphanage.
The bishop lowered her head slightly. "I would also like to apologize for the earlier incident."
When the church authorities discovered the source of the phenomenon, they had been forced to physically restrain Balcus after he attempted to force his way into the ceremony chambers.
Balcus awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "No, that was my fault," he admitted honestly. "I panicked."
Then his expression darkened slightly. "I thought the Capital was under attack."
The bishop's gaze softened slightly. "Considering your years of military service, such a reaction is understandable."
That only made Balcus feel even more awkward. "…Then why am I here instead of a prison cell?"
The bishop smiled faintly. "Because the Church has decided not to pursue the matter." Then after a brief pause, she added, "And asfor why your here, your son's ceremony was… exceptionally successful."
That answer immediately made Balcus tense slightly.
The bishop calmly gestured toward the table between them where fresh tea and several small snacks had already been prepared. "A sister is currently retrieving the official results," she explained calmly. "Until then, please allow me to keep you company."
Then she gestured toward the tea. "…Would you care for some?"
Balcus stared at the snacks for a moment.
Refusing would probably seem rude. So naturally, he accepted.
'Not because I want them or anything,' he thought stubbornly while reaching for one of the snacks.
'I'm just being polite.'
A few minutes later, a nun entered the room while carrying both a card and several sheets of paper.
After handing them over to the bishop, she leaned down and whispered something quietly into her ear before quickly leaving the room once more.
The bishop calmly read through the documents for several moments before stamping the papers lightly with her seal and almost instantly, two intricate magical sigils appeared.
One formed across the paper. The other appeared across the card, both glowed faintly for a few seconds before fading away completely.
Then the bishop handed the card toward Balcus.
Name: Leon fou Bartfort
Grace: Eclipse
Rank: E
Skills:
Rank F → E = Thermal Resistance (Passive)
Resistance to heat and cold. Potency increases based on current Rank.
Rank F → E = Thermal Vision (Active)
Allows the user to perceive temperatures. Range increases based on current Rank.
Rank E = Celestial Grace (Passive)
Healing factor while beneath the light of a celestial body. Healing rate scales with Rank.
Rank E = Celestial Grace (Active)
Allows the user to heal others through the light of celestial bodies. Effectiveness will always remain one Rank below the Passive version.
"As you can see," the bishop began calmly, "we were unfortunately unable to determine the Grade of your son's Grace."
Balcus frowned slightly but the bishop quickly continued, "That does not necessarily mean it is powerful. It could just as easily be a low-grade anomaly."
Then after a brief pause, she added, "However… based on our assumptions, all current signs point toward it being at least A or B Grade."
Her expression softened slightly. "I apologize that we cannot provide a more definitive answer."
Balcus immediately shook his head. "No, this is already more than enough." He carefully held the card in both hands. "Thank you."
The bishop nodded politely before asking, "Have you decided where your son will receive formal training?"
Balcus immediately looked awkward. "…I'm afraid my family cannot afford to send another child to an academy."
Embarrassment was clear in his voice. 'I'm already paying for Nicks' education and Rutart's apprenticeship fees,' he thought bitterly.
The bishop quietly observed him for a few moments before speaking again. "I may be able to assist somewhat," she said calmly. "There are several Crown-sponsored programs for gifted children." Then she smiled faintly. "I hope that eases some of your worries."
Balcus visibly relaxed slightly. "…It does. Thank you."
The bishop then gestured toward the exit. "Your son should have regained consciousness by now. You may go see him."
Then her expression became slightly more serious. "And Lord Bartfort… as I'm sure you already know, do not show that card carelessly."
"You may request less detailed status cards from the front desk if necessary." She paused briefly. "Simply inform them that I approved it."
In response, Balcus casually pulled out his own worn Rank Card from his pocket.
The bishop smiled knowingly. "Then I suppose no explanation is necessary."
Balcus stood from his seat before giving a respectful nod. "Thank you for everything, my lady."
"And goodbye."
The bishop returned the gesture with a small smile. "Safe travels, Lord Bartfort."
###############################################################################################################
Bishop Elena's POV
After confirming Balcus had fully left the room, Bishop Elena finally allowed herself to exhale heavily.
Then slowly her gaze shifted toward the two hidden documents Balcus had never been shown.
Name: Leon fou Bartfort
Grace: Eclipse
Grade: Mythical
Rank: E
Skills:
Rank F → E = Thermal Resistance (Passive)
Resistance to heat and cold. Potency increases based on current Rank.
Rank F → E = Thermal Vision (Active)
Allows the user to perceive temperatures. Range increases based on current Rank.
Rank E = Celestial Grace (Passive)
Healing factor while beneath the light of a celestial body. Healing rate scales with Rank.
Rank E = Celestial Grace (Active)
Allows the user to heal others through the light of celestial bodies. Effectiveness remains one Rank below the Passive version.
Name: Olivia
Grace: Light
Grade: Mythical
Rank: E
Skills:
Rank F → E = Demonic Resistance (Passive)
Grants resistance against demonic energy. Strength scales with Rank.
Rank F → E = Purification (Passive)
Allows cleansing of corruption, curses, darkness, and similar influences. Potency scales with Rank.
Rank E = Radiance (Passive)
Healing factor while in the presence of light, no matter how faint. Functions one Rank above current Rank.
Rank E = Radiance (Active)
Produces holy light capable of healing and strengthening allies. Functions one Rank above current Rank.
Rank ? = gdjtfjrd*
-) +:8556=548:)249@89
-=+&+'54=646%=_25'+64
Elena slowly lowered the papers. 'To think… another Mythical-grade Grace would appear within the same millennium.'
Her fingers tightened slightly around the documents. 'And not only within the same year… but on the very same day.'
A faint chill ran down her spine. The world was about to change. And drastically so.
"…Shadow," Elena called quietly into the empty room.
Almost instantly, a masked figure emerged silently from the darkness itself before kneeling beside her.
No words were exchanged. The figure merely waited for orders.
Elena handed over the documents carefully. "This information is for Her Majesty's eyes only."
The masked individual accepted the papers silently.
Then without a sound they vanished back into the shadows.
Left alone once more, Elena slowly turned toward the cathedral window overlooking the Capital.
The eclipse had long since faded, yet somehow, the city still felt different now and as she stared out across the Capital skyline, Elena found herself unable to calm the chaotic thoughts swirling within her mind.
###############################################################################################################
With Leon
"…Ugh."
"r?…ir?...Sir?…Sir? …Sir? …Sir?!" A familiar mechanical voice gradually pulled Leon back toward consciousness.
"Sir? Can you hear me, sir?"
Leon frowned slightly before groaning. "…Quiet down, you damn golf ball," he muttered weakly. "I'm trying to sleep here."
"If that is truly how you feel," Luxion immediately replied, "perhaps you should attempt doing so in your own bed, sir."
Leon slowly opened his eyes before immediately wincing. "…Why does it feel like I have a hangover?"
His entire body felt strangely heavy while his head buzzed painfully.
Then suddenly, his eyes snapped open fully. "…Luxion." The unfamiliar white ceiling above him instantly triggered his paranoia. "Where am I?"
"You are currently inside the Cathedral infirmary," Luxion answered calmly. "You lost consciousness before the ceremony."
Leon blinked slowly. "…I fainted?"
"Yes, sir." Luxion floated closer than usual. "More importantly…" his voice lowered slightly, "what exactly happened inside that room?"
Leon held his head while trying to recall everything.
"…Ugh…" Fragments of memory slowly resurfaced.
The white void. The tea. The wings.
Then "…Lumiel."
Flashback
The moment Leon collapsed unconscious, Luxion completely panicked.
"Sir?"
"…Sir?"
"Sir?!"
His mechanical voice rapidly lost composure. "SIR!"
Luxion immediately rushed toward Leon's unmoving body frantically. "Please wake up, sir! Wake up!"
His floating frame trembled slightly. "Please…" his voice softened weakly, "…I don't want to be alone again."
Suddenly a warm feminine voice echoed throughout the room. "Be at ease, little one. Your master is perfectly safe."
Luxion immediately froze "…Who are you?" he asked cautiously, instantly regaining his composure.
The voice giggled softly. "Who I am is not particularly important." Golden particles of light briefly drifted through the room. "Just know that your master is currently under my care. He will return shortly."
Luxion's lens narrowed suspiciously. "And how exactly am I supposed to trust that statement?"
The voice laughed lightly. "Well…" Lumiel sounded amused. "You do not really have another option, little bot."
"…Little?" For some reason, Luxion sounded personally offended by that word.
Then Lumiel added cheerfully, "You're actually kind of adorable." Her presence immediately began fading afterward.
Luxion instantly shouted back, "I AM NOT CUTE!"
End Flashback
Back in the infirmary, Leon slowly rubbed his temples. "…Agh, my head is killing me."
He looked down thoughtfully. "At this point, I honestly can't even tell if any of that actually happened or if I hallucinated the entire thing."
"I find your story highly believable, sir," Luxion replied immediately.
Leon looked toward him curiously. "Oh?"
Luxion floated slightly closer.
"Based on the magical phenomena that occurred around the Capital while you were unconscious," he explained calmly, "it is highly likely you truly encountered some form of higher-dimensional entity."
Leon immediately frowned. "…Wait." "What kind of phenomena?"
Luxion paused briefly before explaining what had happened while Leon was unconscious.
The more Leon listened, the more his expression slowly stiffened. "…What?"
"Additionally," Luxion continued calmly, "your body is currently releasing mana unconsciously into the surrounding environment."
Leon stared at him blankly for several seconds. "…That sounds extremely unhealthy."
"It is, sir," Luxion replied immediately. "At your current level, you possess no form of control over your energy output, it's very rare"
Then after a brief pause, he added,
"You will require formal training as soon as possible."
Leon let out a tired sigh before rubbing his forehead. "…I'm sure I'll figure something out eventually."
"You remain as arrogantly optimistic as ever, sir."
Leon's eyes immediately narrowed suspiciously. "…Don't think I forgot about your recent habit of adding 'sir' to every sentence just to hide how condescending you're being."
"I have absolutely no idea what you mean, sir."
"…There you go again."
Then unexpectedly, Luxion's voice softened slightly. "…Regardless." "I am relieved you are unharmed."
Leon blinked slightly. Then slowly, a grin spread across his face. "…Oh?" he teased. "Were you worried about me, buddy?"
"I am an artificial intelligence, sir," Luxion answered instantly. "I do not possess emotions necessary for 'worry.'"
"…Sure you don't."
Before Luxion could respond the infirmary door suddenly opened.
And Balcus stepped inside.
###############################################################################################################
Location: Royal Palace, Central Capital
Omni POV (Mylene Based)
Inside a dimly lit office deep within the Royal Palace, a remarkably youthful woman sat lazily atop her work desk.
Her waist-length platinum-blonde hair cascaded down behind her like silver silk while sharp light-blue eyes scanned the countless reports scattered across the room.
Despite her beauty and elegant appearance, the atmosphere surrounding her carried a pressure that made the entire room feel unnaturally cold.
After several moments of silence, the woman suddenly groaned in frustration. "I went through the trouble of preparing an isolated region for the Saint's awakening…" she complained while rubbing her forehead tiredly. "…Only for another Mythical Grade to appear on the exact same day."
Her expression twitched slightly.
"The entire Capital is in absolute chaos now. Ugh…"
"You're still whining about that, Your Majesty?"
A woman's voice casually echoed from the darkness.
Mylene's eyes narrowed slightly. "…Natasha," and without warning a razor-sharp icicle instantly shot through the shadows toward the source of the voice.
The hidden figure tilted her head casually, allowing the projectile to fly past her face by mere centimeters. "…Whoa." Natasha blinked. "Bit cold today, aren't we?"
"What have I told you about eavesdropping?" Mylene asked flatly.
Natasha simply grinned while stepping out from the shadows. Dressed entirely in black, she practically blended into darkness itself. "Come on," Natasha replied shamelessly. "As leader of the Shadows. Eavesdropping is part of the job description."
Mylene clicked her tongue in annoyance. "…Just give me the report." "What did you find on the boy?"
Natasha immediately shrugged. "At first glance, the Bartfort family looks completely unremarkable." She casually crossed her arms. "But once you actually dig deeper…" her smirk widened slightly, "…things start getting interesting."
"The main wife's branch is one of the many noble families quietly crushed by the Royal Family's political games."
Natasha then raised three fingers. "But the mistress's side is another story entirely."
"Her first son awakened an S-Grade. The second child awakened an A-Grade. And now the third just turned out to be a Mythical Grade."
Even Mylene's expression became slightly more serious hearing that. "…Is the mother someone special?"
Natasha immediately shook her head. "No. She's an Artificial, capped at D-Rank." Then her eyes narrowed slightly. "The father's a bit troublesome, he's not fair game."
Mylene leaned back slightly. "Military background?"
Natasha nodded. "Howling Commandos."
A faint look of interest crossed Mylene's face. "…Steve always did manage to get the good ones."
"Current Rank?"
"Capped at B-Rank with no hope of Advancement."
Mylene tapped her finger lightly against the desk.
"Not bad…Anything else?"
Natasha's smile became slightly more amused. "The boy is the one who recently became close to the Saint."
That immediately made Mylene's headache worse. "…Of course he is."
"And his older sister," Natasha added casually, "is already one of ours."
Mylene blinked once. "…Excuse me?"
"We scouted her two years ago," Natasha explained. "Quiet girl. Talented too."
Mylene slowly lowered her head into her hands. "…This situation somehow keeps becoming more complicated."
"What are your orders, boss lady?" Natasha asked casually.
Mylene remained silent for several seconds before finally asking, "…How capable is the sister?"
Natasha shrugged. "She recently completed basic training." Then her grin widened slightly. "She's talented. Driven too. With proper guidance, she could go pretty far."
Mylene thought quietly for a moment before speaking. "…Assign her to specialized training."
Natasha immediately raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Then Mylene added calmly, "And take her as your apprentice."
Natasha blinked. "…Seriously?"
"You both possess affinity with the same source, don't you?" Mylene replied casually.
For a moment, Natasha simply stared at her and slowly a dangerous smile spread across her face. "…Careful, Your Majesty. I might break her."
Mylene's expression didn't change in the slightest.
"If she breaks," she said coldly, "then she simply wasn't worth remembering."
The room went completely silent and Natasha suddenly burst out laughing. "Sometimes I genuinely forget how terrifying you are."
Mylene merely shrugged. "It's a necessary trait for ruling this rotten kingdom."
Natasha smirked lazily. "Well, someone has to. Especially with that useless king sitting on the throne beside you."
Mylene didn't even bother responding to that.
Instead, Natasha changed the topic again. "What about the brothers?"
Mylene's eyes slowly narrowed. "I'll arrange a suitable instructor for the older one."
A chilling smile slowly spread across her face. "But the troublesome younger brother…"
The temperature inside the room suddenly dropped noticeably. "…He's going to require a far more delicate approach."
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I am writing my A Levels this year so I'm already stumped and if you add the time I use writing I think I'm entitled to POWER STONES sooooooo give them to me, I mean by 6 I'm going to school, 1300hrs I'm going to extra lessons and I only get to come back home at 1900hrs, and after that I still need to study on my own, so help me stay motivated.
P.S
Let it be known that the Story is undergoing a Rewrite, hence if you read the unedited chapters its on you, they are no longer part of the story.