Chapter LXII

Hello dears, this is the end of volume 1! We've come a long way. Thank you for the support. I'll take one week break and then I'll start publishing volume 2! I wonder if you can guess which country inspired the next volume! 😼😼😼

Lily leaned in closer, her eyes fixed on the simple figure on the pages. The world around her seemed to dim, leaving only the image on the book, Hadrian, and herself in clear focus.

“The Akashic Record suggests this class aligns closely with your affinity,” Hadrian’s voice broke the stillness, his tone laced with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. “But why [Alchemist]? This class is believed to be long extinct. Forgotten by time and memory.”

Lily’s fingers hovered over the page, not quite touching it. “An [Alchemist]?” she echoed, her voice tinged with wonder and disbelief. “But how...?”

Hadrian shook his head slightly, his spectral form shimmering as he moved. “I don’t have all the answers, Lily.”

“When they’re completely forgotten,” Hadrian explained further, “when the information on how to achieve them is completely lost, they die. And I was pretty sure that [Alchemist] would have completely disappeared by now. I don’t know how it’s possible that this class was offered to you, but... here we are.

The page detailed the class attributes: 0 Pre–Selected Attributes and an astonishing 25 Free Attributes. Lily’s eyes widened in amazement.

“25 Free Attributes per level? That’s... unheard of.” Lily muttered.

“It’s unprecedented,” Hadrian agreed, his eyes reflecting the seriousness of his words. “This class offers flexibility beyond what I’ve known. It’s not just rare; it’s a phenomenon that transcends our knowledge.”

“But what does it do?” Lily’s question was a whisper, almost lost in the grandeur of the library.

“That, Lily, is the greatest mystery,” Hadrian replied, his gaze fixed on the page. “With no Pre–Selected Attributes, it means this class could evolve in any direction, as it’s shaped solely by your choices. It’s the epitome of flexibility, the purest form of a personal journey in this world.”

Lily’s mind reeled at the implications. A class shaped entirely by her choices, free from the constraints of predetermined paths.

“So, it could become anything?” she asked, her voice steadier now as the initial shock began to subside.

“In theory, yes,” Hadrian confirmed. “But remember, such freedom comes with its own challenges. Without a defined path, the journey of an [Alchemist] is one of constant discovery and adaptation. It’s a class for those who dare to forge their own destiny, undeterred by the unknown.”

Lily pondered, her gaze never leaving the illustration. The [Alchemist], with its limitless potential, was an invitation to an uncharted adventure – a call to explore the depths of power and self that no other class could offer.

“It’s a class that requires courage,” Hadrian added softly, “courage to embrace uncertainty and shape your own fate out of the endless possibilities.”

Lily took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision. The [Alchemist], a class thought lost to time, now offered itself to her – a blank canvas upon which she could paint her destiny. It was a path of endless possibilities, a journey that promised to be as unique as she was.

“I’ve never imagined I’d need to make such a choice,” Lily murmured.

Hadrian exhaled deeply, the weight of years of history seemingly resting on his spectral shoulders.

Lily, her eyes still fixed on the [Alchemist] class, awaited Hadrian’s next words with a blend of anxiety and anticipation.

“There’s more to this class, Lily,” the [Librarian] finally said, his voice resonating with a mixture of awe and disbelief. “Two of its skills... they’re locked.”

“Locked?” Lily echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion. The concept was alien, unheard of in her experience. “But how? And why?”

Hadrian’s gaze met hers, filled with a solemnity that belied his phantasmal form. “It’s a relic of a bygone era, a remnant of classes long thought to be myths. You’ll need to unlock these skills yourself, which is a challenge I’ve never seen proposed in any class until now. However, it’s clear: it’s the Akashic Record giving me this information. Two skills are indeed locked. Essentially, you need to unlock the skills yourself—you’ll receive more information once you accept the Class. Until you satisfy the requirements, you won’t have access to them.”

Lily’s mind raced, grappling with the notion of locked skills in a class.

“And the skill that is available?” Lily asked, her curiosity piqued despite the uncertainty.

Hadrian’s lips curled into a rare, knowing smile. “Ah, at least this one’s quite remarkable,” he said, his fingers hovering above the page to reveal the skill beneath the image of the robed woman. “This is [Adjunct Skill – Crucible], an adjunct to your [Alchemic Constitution].”

Lily raised her eyebrows, intrigued. “An Adjunct Skill as a Class Skill? How does that work?”

“It’s rare but not impossible,” Hadrian replied, his voice tinged with excitement. “Think of it as a flexible tool...”

“[Crucible] can allow you to temporarily re–allocate Attributes and the general power and toughness generated by [Alchemic Constitution]; the exact amount of re-allocation is obviously dependent on the level of the skill.”

“So, in essence,” she began slowly, her mind working out the possibilities, “I could redistribute my Attributes to suit any battle situation? Like, shift them to Physical Augmentation against a physically dominant foe or to Mental Attributes when facing a more magically inclined enemy?”

“Exactly,” Hadrian affirmed, his voice filled with pride. “It’s a skill that grants unprecedented flexibility in combat. It adapts as you do, growing with your [Alchemic Constitution].”

Lily absorbed the information, her mind ablaze with strategies and tactics that [Crucible] could open for her. “And how hard is it to level up this skill?” she asked, a tinge of excitement in her voice.

Hadrian’s smirk broadened. “The beauty of it is that you don’t need to do anything special. [Crucible] will always match the level of your [Alchemic Constitution]. It’s a skill that grows with you, evolving as you evolve.”

Lily took a moment to let it all sink in. The [Alchemist] class, with its locked mysteries and the dynamic [Crucible], was unlike anything she had ever imagined. It was a path of endless potential.

At this moment, amidst the unending knowledge of the Akashic Record, Lily stood at the crossroads of her destiny, her path illuminated by the revelations of the [Alchemist] class.

With a deep breath, she looked up at Hadrian, her mentor and guide in this spectral realm. “This class... it’s a leap into the unknown,” she said, determination kindling in her eyes. “But it feels right.”

Her gaze shifted between the ethereal pages of the golden tome and the phantom figure of Hadrian.

“I’m really tempted by [Grim Vanguard],” Lily admitted, her voice a soft murmur amidst the tranquility of the vast library. “It offers so much in the short term...”

“But?” Hadrian prompted, his eyes piercing through the shadowy haze, sensing the unresolved thoughts swirling within her.

Lily sighed, a mixture of resolve and uncertainty coloring her tone. “But  [Alchemist]... it might serve me better in the long run. Especially considering where I’m headed.” She paused, the gravity of her future endeavors dawning on her. “I might have to confront Gods. And from what I have gathered in the temple, Gods and [Alchemists] weren’t exactly on friendly terms.”

Hadrian nodded, understanding the depth of her contemplation. “It’s a path less traveled. One that demands courage and an unwavering spirit. Are you ready for such a journey, girl?”

Lily’s eyes hardened with determination, a flicker of fire igniting within them. “I have to be. I need to be strong enough to face whatever comes my way, even if it’s the Gods themselves.”

Hadrian observed her with a mix of pride and melancholy. “Then, it seems your choice is made. [Alchemist] it is.”

As he moved to finalize her selection, Lily’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and urgent. “WAIT!” Her eyes widened with a sudden realization and panic edging her voice. “Do I just go back once I select the Class?”

Hadrian’s nod was slow, solemn. “Yes. This might be the last time we speak for a while.”

A torrent of emotions swept over Lily. She lunged forward, embracing Hadrian with a fierce intensity, her arms wrapping tightly around his spectral form. “I’ll miss you so much, Hadrian,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “You’ve taught me everything.”

Hadrian’s voice was gruff, yet a note of tenderness seeped through an embarrassed cough. “You’re a bother, always have been. But...” He paused, his arms enveloping her in a returned embrace. “I guess I’ll miss you too, girl.”

As they pulled apart, a heavy silence fell between them. Hadrian’s gaze lingered on Lily, a mix of pride and sadness etching his spectral features. “Before you go back...” he hesitated, the words heavy on his tongue. “Will you ever go back home? If you do, you’d find those [Necromancers].”

Lily’s fists clenched, her resolve steeling. “They’re on my list too, Hadrian. After what they’ve done... after what’s happened to you, Marcus, and Arcadius... I won’t let them get away with it.”

A chuckle, dry and humorless, escaped Hadrian’s lips. “You’ve come a long way since those early days of struggling to [Meditate]. Just remember, the path you’re choosing is full of dangers you can’t yet imagine.”

“Then,” Hadrian hesitated. “My last piece of advice is this: never make a deal with the Gods, Lily. Old or New. It’s a path fraught with peril.”

Lily’s gaze was unwavering, the fire in her eyes burning brighter. “I’m ready for whatever comes, Hadrian. I have to be.”

Hadrian’s spectral form seemed to shimmer more intensely as if stirred by her conviction.

“Goodbye, girl,” he said softly, his voice tinged with an emotion that belied his usual gruff demeanor.

“Goodbye, Hadrian,” Lily replied, her voice steady yet laden with unspoken emotions. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the journey ahead. With a firm nod to Hadrian, she turned back to the golden book, ready to embrace the path of the [Alchemist].

As the light from the book enveloped her, signaling the beginning of her new journey, Lily felt a sense of closure.

...

Lily’s consciousness slowly resurfaced, her senses gradually tuning into the world around her. She blinked open her eyes, only to find herself staring up at the towering figure of the statue with the giant sword. Its stony gaze bore down upon her, a silent sentinel in the dimly lit chamber.

The statue with the axe, its features contorted in a mix of bewilderment and hostility, spoke first, breaking the palpable tension. “The girl awakens,” it rumbled, its voice echoing off the ancient walls. The other statues, previously motionless, shifted their attention, their stony faces turning toward Lily with a mixture of curiosity and caution.

...

After Lily Lost Consciousness

The looming shadow of the axe–bearing statue gleamed with power, the glint of its weapon descending towards the girl. Then, the sudden emergence of an ouroboros from her chest, its form radiant and ethereal, froze the statues in a moment of disbelieving stillness.

The statue with the sword, its posture authoritative, commanded to halt the execution. “Wait,” it boomed. “This is a sign from our masters. We shall await her return from the Class selection.”

...

The Present

As Lily gathered her bearings, she could sense the confusion among the statues. The one with the axe, its voice laced with incredulity and anger, addressed the others. “How can she be an [Alchemist] with a divine imprint? It’s an aberration! She must be eliminated!”

The sword–bearing statue, however, interposed its massive form between Lily and the aggressor. Its voice was firm yet carrying an undercurrent of intrigue. “Our masters have always had a plan,” it said, turning its gaze to Lily. “Child, who are you?”

Lily, still on the ground, pushed herself up to a sitting position, and her voice came steady despite the surreal situation. “I’m not with the Gods,” she declared, her eyes meeting the statue’s unyielding gaze. “I’m just... I’m a girl from another world. I’m a Lost Soul.”

The sword–wielding statue, its wisdom palpable, voiced a theory that seemed to resonate with a few others. “Perhaps our masters attempted a gamble to break the chains of fate itself.”

Lily seized the moment of contemplation of the statues. “May I finish reading the inscription on the temple walls?” she asked, her request laced with a genuine desire for understanding.

The proposition, however, was met with an immediate outcry from the axe–bearer. “Unthinkable!” it roared. “To allow such demonic spawn access to our masters’ secrets is a blasphemy!”

Amidst the rising tension, the statue with the sword seemed to ponder deeply, its stony features betraying a hint of conflict. It turned to Lily with a sense of resignation in its posture. “Run,” it whispered.

...

Lily didn’t need to be told twice. She bolted towards the portal, each step a race against fate itself. Behind her, she could immediately hear the clash of the statues thundering, a cacophony of stone against stone that echoed through the chamber like the drumbeats of an ancient war.

“Don’t let her get away!” The giant statue wielding the axe shouted, but the conflict had already split the room into two factions fighting each other.

The chamber immediately became an arena of titanic struggle. Lily, her heart pounding with adrenaline and fear, witnessed the clash of colossal forces as she scrambled towards the only escape – the portal.

The statue wielding the massive sword, its stone form seeming to defy the very laws of physics, stood as a formidable bulwark between Lily and her axe-wielding aggressors. Its stony features, etched with the wisdom and resolve of eons, emanated an aura of silent authority. The sword, a giant blade carved from the same unforgiving stone, met the axe, generating a shockwave that made the entire room tremble and Lily stumble.

The statue with the axe, its rage palpable, launched itself at the sword–bearing guardian with a ferocity that seemed to shake the very foundations of the Dungeon. The impact of their collision sent more shockwaves rippling through the air that Lily could feel pressing against her back as she ran.

“You shall not protect this abomination!” the axe–wielding statue bellowed, its voice a storm of fury.

The guardian with the sword, undeterred, parried each blow with calm, looking over his enemy’s shoulder at Lily.

“You know not of what you speak,” the sword–bearing statue retorted, its voice resonating with a gravity that seemed to transcend time. “She is not our enemy. There is more at play here than our old grievances.”

Lily risked a glance over her shoulder as she neared the portal. The sword statue, a titan among giants, fought with a grace that belied its colossal form. Its blade met the axe in a shower of sparks.

She briefly glanced then at the other statues around her, remembering that she could finally use the System now. And so, she tried to look at their levels.

[? – Lv. ???]

[? – Lv. ???]

More statues, those marked by three enigmatic question marks that hovered above their heads, joined the fray, trying to suppress and swarm around the sword–bearing guardian and attempting to overwhelm it through sheer numbers.

But the guardian was a force unto itself, a bastion of unyielding strength. It spun, its blade sweeping in a wide arc, forcing the aggressors back. The sound of stone grinding against stone filled the chamber, a testament to the ferocity of the battle.

“Her path is her own to tread,” the guardian boomed, deflecting another blow from the axe. “We are but relics of a forgotten age. It is not our place to judge the living.”

Lily reached the portal, her hand outstretched towards the swirling vortex of light. She hesitated for a split second, the awe–inspiring sight of the guardian holding off its brethren etched into her memory. In that fleeting moment, she glimpsed the levels of the two colossal statues.

[? – Lv. ????]

[? – Lv. ????]

Lily cast one last look at the sword guardian, its figure now enshrouded in dust and debris, a lone sentinel against the tide of time and forgotten wars.

“Thanks!” She shouted and, with a deep breath, stepped into the portal, where the light engulfed her as the echoes of the titanic struggle faded into a distant thunder.

The world around her blurred into a whirlwind of light and color as the portal embraced her.

She knew, with a certainty that filled her heart, that she was stepping into a new chapter of her life, one filled with uncertainties and possibilities beyond her wildest dreams. In fact, she knew that, for the first time in a long while, she was finally free to fight to reclaim her destiny.