Treatise Of A Failed Knight-Chapter 267: New Leviathan

"Javier, are you alright?"

Ciel reaches out to me in worry, and I immediately raise my hand to tell her I am fine.

That felt very dangerous.

I shouldn’t try anything like that ever again.

’What kind of pain was that? It felt like something was ripping me apart." I break out in cold sweat, recognizing a very dreadful feeling enveloping me.

’I feel like I was close to death.’

But why?

Ciel said this is a power natural to those who possess Rank 2 Status.

Could it be that my Existence is currently not strong enough to handle that version of Tracing?

Maybe I need a higher Interference Power. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Or...

... Maybe this has to do with the fact that my Tracing itself is incomplete due to its nature as a Fragmented Conception.

If the former two are the issues, then this matter will be resolved eventually.

With sufficient Apotheoses, I will be able to use the Tracing to reach destinations that I haven’t yet arrived in within the Layer of Existence in my control.

But, what if it is the latter?

What if the fragmented nature of Tracing prevents this from ever being a possibility?

In the end, all of these are questions.

One thing I know is this: I will never try anything like this again.

’When I use Existential Resonance, I see five purple threads swirling in the world. Only one of those is accessible to me, and that is what I know as Tracing. What of the other threads? Maybe one of them allows the version of Tracing that Ciel speaks of. Maybe I will be able to use it when I get stronger. Regardless, trying it out again will be too dangerous.’

The pain of failure I received just now is akin to a warning from the world itself.

’Don’t try that again!’ It tells me.

I plan to listen.

"Maybe your Existence isn’t defined enough. After all, you’re not a genuine Rank 2."

"Maybe..."

But if that really is the case, how can I use other Rank 2 abilities in the Leaper Pathway, an example being accessing the Week Layer?

Shouldn’t that also be affected?

"Do you have any idea when you’ll undergo your next Apotheosis?" She asks me.

I shake my head and sigh.

"That is something I will have to think very deeply about. Although my experience in the just-concluded Apotheosis can’t exactly be described as hellish, it is a hurdle that I need to recover sufficiently from. Undertaking the next challenge will require a lot of planning and preparation."

I don’t simply mean this in terms of my status as a Leviathan.

I also wish to learn more.

What do I mean?

Apotheosis transports the Existence of a Leviathan to a Trial Scenario.

In this Trial Scenario, the Leviathan experiences a mesh of historical events and meets all kinds of people from historical periods. The goal of the Leviathan is to complete an ultimate objective, alongside minor achievements.

Unfortunately, there is no way to know what these objectives are from the start.

One has to learn about them during their time in the Trial Scenario.

But... there is a way to make things easier.

—Knowledge!

Although I made many mistakes in my Trial Scenario, I was still able to quickly identify the main objective when I found Tyrrion and Enrydral. I connected their presence to The Great Bridgeworks, and this discovery informed my decision throughout the Trial Scenario.

If I didn’t know those two, how would I have fared?

I have no idea.

That is precisely the point.

’To challenge Apotheosis, a Leviathan must have knowledge of the very thing they control...’

Time!

I need to learn more about time.

’I think I know what it is I plan to study at the University.’

I will learn more about history.

About the lives of people in general—the heroes of the past, and the incidents that have transpired in the fifteen eras of this world.

By accruing all of this knowledge, I will have greater confidence in my next Apotheosis.

’If I am to determine the next Pathway I desire for promotion, I’d say it should be Exemplar.’

My thoughts are certain on this.

The main reason for this choice is the fact that I would have the ability of Frontflow within the Trial Scenario, which is very useful for combat.

Even if I can’t win in confrontations, Frontflow can allow me to easily escape.

The most troublesome Pathway for me is Seeker.

’Clairvoyance is very useful, but it has almost no utility in combat. Seekers are also weak in head-on confrontation. It’s one of the reasons I had such a great advantage against Ciel in the first place." I sigh in worry, wondering how exactly I plan to overcome that hurdle when it comes.

A Leviathan is powerful, but our lives are also filled with many worries.

I will simply have to postpone these thoughts.

For now, I should simply be grateful that I succeeded in my first Apotheosis, and I now possess a noticeable increase in one of my abilities.

"Thank you for your help, Ciel." I smile at the woman before me. "I would have had a much more difficult time without your help."

She went out of her way to tell me the secrets of her ancestors.

I am truly indebted to her.

"It’s fine..." She shrugs, quickly turning away from me.

Although she doesn’t say any more, I can feel the heat rising in her cheeks.

And here I thought she was confident in her feelings.

This woman confuses me.

"I want to introduce you to someone." Ciel quickly changes the topic, and before I can say anything, she calls out a name.

"Come in, Sarah."

Almost immediately, the entrance door opens, and a young girl intrudes on our discussion.

The moment she enters, I recognize her.

’She is...’

"This is the new Leviathan of the Vey’lithars. She will be the Acting Elder while I am away."

My smile broadens.

So this is the Leviathan who witnessed my Apotheosis.

Interesting...

"What Pathway?" I ask.

"She is a Seeker like me, which is honestly for the best."

I nod in agreement.

It is said that the world chooses the best Pathway for a newly awakened Leviathan.

The Vey’lithars also have a Sanctuary isolated from the rest of the world, and a Seeker is the optimal Leviathan to lead them. Thus, it comes as no surprise that almost every generation of Vey’lithar Leviathans belonged to the Seeker Pathway.

Sarah is simply an addition to that number.

"Greetings, Javier. I am Sarah, the 150th Leviathan, Acting Elder and Protector of this Sanctuary."

"Nice to meet you, Sarah."

We exchange amiable words with each other, and I simply marvel at her maturity.

She is taking all of this really well.

Although she appears like a young teenage girl, with lush green hair like a forest, and deep brown-colored eyes, her overall demeanor is akin to a mature adult.

I suppose the Vey’lithars mature a lot faster due to their rather short lifespan.

Since she was also groomed as the next Elder, it’s no surprise that she appears even more mature than her age would suggest.

"Sarah awoke three days ago, and I have been teaching her the fundamentals ever since. It’s why I wasn’t immediately alerted when you awakened." Ciel tells me, her smile radiating pride as she looks at the girl.

It’s almost like she can see her younger self in Sarah.

"I see..."

"Since you are also her senior, and you even possess a higher rank, I was hoping you could impart some of your words of wisdom on her."

Is Ciel teasing me right now?

What words of wisdom does she expect me to give?

’Or is this a way for her to conveniently introduce this Acting Elder to me in order to strengthen our connection? I thought Ciel would stop resorting to these schemes already...’ I shake my head and laugh to myself.

What she indirectly means by this introduction is that she is placing Sarah in my care.

Well, I don’t mind.

I actually see a lot of value in keeping the Vey’lithars as long-term allies.

"Alright." I force a smile while referring to the innocent-looking girl, whom I’m sure will grow up to be just as conniving as Ciel. "I’ll do my best."

It takes about an hour for me to brief her on my own experience as a Leviathan.

I give superfluous information, including managing the Dark Guild, but I also add epic details like my encounter with Zarius and use his defeat to illustrate a larger point.

Leviathans are not invincible.

They bleed.

They can be killed.

If a Leviathan is not careful, they can be defeated by a mortal.

After telling her these things, I receive her thanks.

Then, Ciel dismisses her.

"What now?" I ask, although I can already guess what she will say next.

"We should reiterate the terms of our agreement now."

’I knew it!’

Ciel simply brought Sarah in order to soften my heart, and by placing the young Vey’lithar in my care, she is hoping I’ll be a lot more considerate and stick to our agreed terms.

Naturally, I plan to do so.

I also see why Ciel would be very concerned about me, given my new state.

Although I am like this—not a genuine Rank 2 Leviathan—I am still much stronger than her.

Even if she and Sarah join hands, they cannot win against me.

’But you need not worry about betrayal from me...’ I laugh silently. ’I plan to keep you close, after all.’

When I head to Dustinville, I’ll need people around me whom I can trust.

Ciel is very valuable in that aspect.

She is the only Leviathan who will be on my side over there.

I must treat her well.

"Just as I promised, all of your expenses as a Leviathan will be handled by me. You don’t have to worry about Existential Potions as long as you are with me. As for Sarah and the next generations of Vey’lithar Leviathans, they can use the recipes I gave you to brew Potions. Nothing about our arrangement has changed."

"Okay. Thank you."

"In exchange, you’ll be coming with me to Dustinville and assisting me as an ally."

"Of course."

I smile and nod.

There is no need for further conversation on the issue.

Both sides are satisfied.

’I have experienced no real loss. The only expense I will have to consider is helping Ciel with Existential Deficiency Potions, but with my current wealth, that much is nothing compared to the assistance of a seasoned Seeker.’

Also, although the Vey’lithars now have access to my recipes for raising Interference Power and Existential Deficiency, these were recipes I practically gained free of charge.

Helping my allies with them is nothing much.

"I need to return to the Academy in preparation for the upcoming term," I tell Ciel, slowly rising to my feet. "It starts in early March. It’s still January, but there is a lot to do before then."

For one, I need to finally resolve the Election of the new Head of the Academy.

I still wish for Klein to hold that position.

There are many reasons for this, even besides my evident bias.

Having Klein, my loyal friend, as the Head of the Academy will sustain my influence there even after I depart. He will also be one of my eyes and ears while I head for Dustinville, so having him hold an influential position is immensely beneficial to me.

’Since I haven’t yet gotten his response, I’ll have to approach him one final time with the offer.’

"You’re an interesting man..."

"Hm?" I cock my head when I hear Ciel’s words.

She is still seated, so she has to raise her head slightly to look at me. "Why do you still concern yourself with such trivial issues as a Leviathan? I can understand your interest in the major decision-making, but you also interact with the minor details and maintain the status of professor despite being overqualified for that role."

"Oh, that..." I laugh aloud, casting a soft gaze at Ciel. "I do it because it’s fun."

Despite my current status as a Leviathan, I was once human.

This occupation serves as my constant reminder.

There’s nothing more to it than that.