The Extra's Rise
Chapter 631 - 631: Ashen Territories (1)

I continued talking with Luna, who had indeed calmed down significantly from her earlier emotional breakdown. Isolde had been right about the temporary nature of her instability—as Luna settled into a more composed state, her analytical capabilities returned, allowing for the kind of detailed discussion we needed.

"So this Divine Miracle essentially enhances all my physical capabilities?" I asked, flexing my fingers experimentally. I could already feel subtle changes in my body—a slight increase in strength, sharper senses, and an overall sense of vitality that hadn't been there before.

Luna nodded, her golden eyes tracking my movements with obvious relief at seeing me healthy and functional. "Your blood has been infused with Purelight energy, transforming it into something beyond normal human physiology. The enhancement affects everything—strength, speed, reflexes, sensory acuity, even healing capacity."

'Divine Miracle: Aureate Blood,' I thought, running through the implications. 'My blood literally turns golden when the enhancement is active, boosting every aspect of my physical existence.'

"It's a relatively simple Divine Miracle in terms of complexity," Luna continued, "but incredibly effective in practical application. Most Divine Miracles focus on specific abilities or magical enhancement, but this one creates broad-spectrum improvement across all physical parameters."

She was right about its effectiveness. I could feel the change even in passive states—colors seemed more vivid, sounds carried greater detail, and my body felt more responsive to mental commands. It was as if someone had upgraded my hardware while keeping the same operating system.

'In the end, I didn't get a Divine Beast,' I reflected with mixed emotions. 'But I got something else. Something that might actually be more useful in certain situations.'

The thought carried both disappointment and genuine appreciation. A Divine Beast would have provided a powerful ally and companion, but the Aureate Blood enhancement was completely internal—impossible to target, steal, or separate from me. It was a permanent upgrade that would grow stronger as I developed my magical abilities.

'Perhaps it's even better than a Divine Beast to a certain extent,' I told myself, though part of me still felt the absence of what might have been.

'Besides,' I added mentally, glancing at Luna's small form, 'I already have what amounts to a Divine Beast. She's just sealed at the moment.'

Luna was certainly more powerful than all Divine Beasts when operating at full capacity, and our bond was deeper than typical beast-human partnerships. Her artificial origins didn't diminish her capabilities or the genuine connection we'd developed over years of shared experiences.

A soft knock interrupted our conversation. The door slid open to reveal Uncle Alastor, his usual composed demeanor showing cracks that spoke to deep emotional strain.

"Arthur," he said, stepping into the room with careful formality. "May I speak with you? There are... matters we need to discuss."

Luna immediately began to fade from visibility, preparing to retreat to avoid awkward explanations about her nature. But Alastor's sharp gaze tracked her movement, confirming that his Sage's Eyes could perceive her even in spirit form.

"You may stay," Alastor said to Luna, though his attention remained focused on me. "What we need to discuss involves you as well."

'He knows about Luna,' I realized. 'His enhanced sight must have revealed her true nature during the ceremony.'

Alastor claimed the chair beside my bed, settling into it with the careful movements of someone carrying tremendous emotional weight. His sapphire eyes—so similar to Rachel's but aged by years of responsibility—studied my face with intensity that made me slightly uncomfortable.

"How much did she tell you?" he asked without preamble. "Isolde, I mean. How much of the truth did she share?"

I found myself in an impossible position. Despite our somewhat close relationship—Uncle Alastor had been a mentor and protector for years—I wasn't sure how much to reveal about cosmic games, temporal manipulation, and artificial beings. Some knowledge felt too dangerous to share, even with someone I trusted.

But looking at his face, I could see the desperation beneath his composed exterior. This was a man who had been forced to imprison the woman he loved, watching her transform into something he couldn't understand or reach. His need for answers was written in every line of exhaustion around his eyes.

'He's suffering,' I realized. 'Whatever Isolde became, whatever forced him to take action against her, it's been tearing him apart.'

"She told me enough to understand that events are being guided by forces much larger than any of us," I said carefully, choosing words that conveyed truth without revealing dangerous specifics. "Isolde seems to be acting according to visions from her Akasha's Eyes, making choices that serve what she believes is the greater good of the world."

Alastor's expression tightened at my diplomatic phrasing. "And you? How do you factor into her visions of the greater good?"

'That's the million-dollar question,' I thought grimly. 'How do I explain that I'm apparently a composite being designed to achieve Divine-rank and participate in cosmic conflicts I don't understand?'

"I don't fully understand my role," I admitted honestly. "Isolde made it clear that I'm important to whatever plans are in motion, but she also said that telling me too much about my purpose would interfere with my development. Apparently, I need to discover certain truths for myself."

'Which is probably the most honest answer I can give without revealing things that might be dangerous for him to know.'

Alastor absorbed this with the patience of someone accustomed to incomplete information and complex political maneuvering. But when he spoke again, his voice carried a more personal note.

"Did she seem... did she seem like herself to you? The woman I married, I mean, not whatever she's become?"

The pain in his voice was almost unbearable. Here was one of the most powerful mages in the world, reduced to desperate hope that his wife might still exist somewhere beneath whatever cosmic burden she'd taken on.

"There were moments," I said gently, "when she seemed to remember what she was fighting to protect. When her actions came from love rather than just calculated necessity."

It wasn't much comfort, but I saw some of the tension leave Alastor's shoulders at my words.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "I needed to hear that."

His attention shifted to Luna, who had remained motionless throughout our exchange, clearly uncertain about how much attention she wanted to draw from someone of Alastor's capabilities.

"And you," Alastor said to her, "are considerably more than you appear to be. My Sage's Eyes show me power that rivals mythical beasts, sealed but undeniably present. What exactly are you?"

Luna glanced at me uncertainly, clearly seeking guidance about how much to reveal. I gave her a slight nod, deciding that Alastor deserved some answers given his obvious concern and genuine care for our wellbeing.

"Luna is a special qilin," I said, providing a framework that was truthful without being complete. "She possesses both Purelight and Deepdark affinities, which is why she was able to grant me access to both energies."

Alastor's eyes widened slightly at this revelation. "Both affinities? That should be impossible for any natural creature. I suppose you exist but regardless."

'Because she's not natural,' I thought, but kept that particular truth to myself. 'But he doesn't need to know the details about her artificial origins.'

"Many things about Luna and me are unique," I said diplomatically.

"I see," Alastor said slowly, clearly processing implications I hoped he wouldn't fully grasp. "And this bond—it's what enabled your survival during the ceremony? When your magical balance was failing?"

"Partially," I confirmed. "Luna's nature allowed for the intervention that stabilized my condition."

'Along with whatever Isolde did to inscribe the Divine Miracle, but that's definitely not something I'm ready to explain.'

Alastor studied both of us for a long moment, his enhanced sight undoubtedly revealing details about our magical signatures and the bond between us. But eventually, he seemed to reach some internal conclusion that satisfied his immediate concerns.

"I won't press for details you're not ready to share," he said finally. "But Arthur, if there's anything you need—anything at all—please don't hesitate to ask. Whatever role you're meant to play in these larger events, you don't have to face it alone."

'He's offering support without demanding explanations,' I realized with gratitude. 'That's exactly the kind of wisdom that made him such an effective leader.'

"Thank you, Uncle Alastor," I said sincerely. "That means more than you know."

As he prepared to leave, Alastor paused at the door, his expression carrying one final note of vulnerability.

"If you ever see her again," he said quietly, "if Isolde ever speaks to you about personal matters rather than cosmic necessity... tell her that I understand. That I've always understood, even when I couldn't support her choices."

The door closed behind him, leaving Luna and me alone with the weight of secrets, revelations, and the growing understanding that we were all pieces in a game whose rules we were only beginning to comprehend.

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