Kael sank into the bed, letting the exhaustion wash over him, and allowed himself to be carried into a deep sleep—one that lasted for several hours, until the bell signaling the end of class rang out, awakening him from his deep slumber.
Kael's eyes slowly opened as the lingering echo of the bell faded away. For a brief moment, he lay still, staring at the ceiling. Then his gaze snapped toward the door that led to the classroom.
"I've wasted enough time here," he muttered softly. "It's time to return to class."
Without waiting even an instant, he rose from the bed and headed straight for the door.
Kael stepped into the hallway, his movements calm and fluid.
He began to observe his surroundings and noticed that most of the students had already left.
Only a small handful remained—either too exhausted like him or disheartened by the failure of their world creations.
He only observed them for a brief moment before stepping outside the second door, arriving at the classroom.
The classroom buzzed with the incessant chatter of students, each talking about the worlds they had created and the plans they had for the future.
As Kael made his way toward his seat, a voice called out to him. He turned his head and saw Christian walking toward him, a wide smile on his face and a glint of curiosity in his eyes.
Christian stopped just a step away from Kael, his energy practically radiating with enthusiasm.
"Kael!" he exclaimed, leaning slightly forward as if eager to share something extraordinary.
Kael tilted his head, his calm demeanor contrasting with Christian's bubbling excitement. "What is it?" he asked, his voice steady, yet curious.
Christian's grin widened. "You won't believe what I just discovered whithin my world."
"What did you discover?" Kael asked.
Christian glanced toward the noisy classroom, then back at Kael.
Kael immediately understood his intentions and smiled faintly.
With a casual wave of his hand, he erected a thin barrier, isolating their conversation from the outside world.
"Thanks," Christian said softly.
"Let's get back to it," Christian continued. "What I discovered in my world is… a divine artifact."
"A divine artifact?" Kael echoed, his interest clearly piqued. "What type of divine artefacts it is ?"
Christian's expression suddenly turned uneasy, a hint of bitterness flashing through his eyes. He hesitated for a moment before answering.
"I don't know yet," he admitted. "It hasn't awakened."Kael raised an eyebrow, then tilted his head slightly, a dangerous and curious glint appearing in his eyes.
"Hm… but aren't you afraid," he said calmly, "that I might kill you and take it for myself?"
The atmosphere inside the barrier grew subtly heavier, the words hanging between them like an invisible blade.Christian let out a quiet breath.
"In fact I can't say that thought never crossed my mind," he admitted honestly. "But I chose to trust you. After all, we're friends. And besides…"
He paused, then added with a wry smile,
"I'd need your help to sell it anyway."
"To sell it?" Kael repeated, genuinely surprised. "You want to sell a divine artifact?"
Christian nodded, his expression turning serious.
"I know, I know. A divine artifact is unimaginably rare. But what other choice do I have? I'm too poor—and too weak—to keep it."
Kael fell silent for a moment, letting Christian's words sink in.
Then he began to think carefully about what had been said.
Christian's decision made sense—after all, he was just an orphan. Possessing such a treasure would only bring him trouble. The most logical path was to sell it, using the resources to climb toward the Lower God Realm.
But logic alone wasn't enough. To truly let go of a treasure so precious required not only decisiveness, but also extraordinary courage.
Kael's perspective on Christian began to shift. At first, he had seen him as little more than a naive, sensitive boy.
Now… he saw a young man capable of making bold, unflinching choices. A boy ready to do whatever it took to succeed.
It was a revelation that left Kael quietly impressed, and perhaps, for the first time, seeing the depth of Christian's character beyond the surface.
Kael finally lifted his gaze and looked directly at Christian.
"You're not wrong," Kael said calmly. "Keeping a divine artifact without the strength to protect it is no different from carrying a death sentence."
Christian let out a small breath, relief flickering across his face as Kael's words confirmed his own thoughts.
"But," Kael continued, his tone shifting slightly, "selling it blindly would be just as foolish. A divine artifact is not something you can simply hand over to just anyone.
If the wrong person learns of its existence, the consequences won't stop with you."
Christian's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression.
"That's why I told you first."
Kael nodded slowly, his gaze steady.
Christian listened in silence, his expression growing more serious with every word.
Kael continued, his tone even, almost indifferent.
"First," he said, "I help you sell the divine artifact—but not now. We wait until either you or I have enough power to protect you if something goes wrong.
No rash decisions. No unnecessary risks."
He paused briefly, allowing Christian to process the implication.
"Second," Kael went on, "you lend the divine artifact to me. In exchange, I will personally provide you with the resources necessary to reach the Middle God Realm."
Christian's pupils shrank slightly.
The offer was… heavy.
Resources to reach the Middle God Realm were not something clans gave lightly—let alone something an individual could promise so calmly.
Christian fell silent.
His mind raced as he weighed the two paths before him.
On one hand, selling the divine artifact to an unknown party could bring him a price far beyond what Kael might offer—enough wealth to change his fate in an instant.
But such a deal would come with consequences he could not foresee. Once the artifact changed hands, there would be no guarantee of safety. Greed, betrayal, and silence enforced by death were all too common in such transactions.
On the other hand, selling it to Kael, though seemingly less advantageous, offered a more stable option.
Yet Christian struggled to fully grasp the intention behind Kael's offer. After all, while a divine artifact was indeed rare on this planet, if Kael truly desired one, he could likely obtain it through other means.
So why would Kael make such an extraordinary offer?This uncertainty gnawed at Christian, forcing him to consider not only the immediate gains but also the hidden advantages—or risks—lurking behind Kael's words.