Codex Null: Simulation Through Madness-Chapter 98: Only One (Unedited)

[The simulation is over. You can choose two of the following:]

[1: Colossal Vessel (Ascended Talent)]

[2: Strengthened Soul (Eclipsed Soul)]

[3: Strengthened Physical Strength (Second Stage of the Blood Refinement Path)]

[4: Strengthened Blood (Sanguine Might Bloodline)]

[5: Initial Mastery over Blood Scripture]

[6: Control Law (Initial Understanding)]

[7: Memory of this Simulation]

Instead of focusing on the choices, Noel stared at the ending of the simulation, reflecting on how in that simulation where he had skipped its content, he had actually managed to live until this moment too.

But, unlike how he endured everything there, here it was different... at least the start, by the end, it seems his simulated self, simply concentrated on his goal, not on those around him.

But, maybe that’s okay too?

Noel shook head.

What was important was something else entirely, this darkness phenomenon that consumed him... had happened all around the world? Like has it consumed the Earth whole?

Noel, wondered because to him, that was the important point.

Regardless though, after seeing this kind of outcome, where even the world seemed like ending, he didn’t plan to simulate in this mood again for some time.

It feels like he had hit the limit of time he could survive here, after all... which is 25.

While, in Charix world, he achieved the same number from the first time.

The next time? He would definitely survive more.

And there are other Dead world, at the end of the day!

Anyway, there’s three important points to him, in this simulation.

Lirien, Elsa, and the Wane Dimension.

Those are three things, worth pondering upon.

Lirien, a witch who despite betraying him in the end, it was simply for her safety, and aside from that fault... if it could even be considered one, he didn’t find any other one.

So, Noel pondered if he should try bringing her to his side already.

Or if he should try another simulation run first, just to be careful.

After a moment of contemplation, Noel decided to put the topic of her at hold, and move on to... Elsa.

Here, Noel didn’t need to spend along time pondering to arrive to a decision.

Noel wanted her.

Just. Not as his woman, like he did in the simulation... instead as a maid.

He wanted one even before he lost his memories, and Selena was the first candidate, in the end though, it wasn’t meant to be.

But this time it’s different.

This time, he has a good feeling, that he is going to success!

Chuckling, Noel moved on to the third point... the Wane Dimension.

It’s a dimension, that has already appeared on Earth, and at this moment in time, no one know it’s danger.

So, should he warn Serah once again? Or should he try to solve its problem aggressively in the simulation.

Noel needed to think the hardest about this topic, before he made his decision... to also keep it on hold.

And with that, he finally moved on, to the two choices he has for now.

For this simulation though, the decision was already made.

Though, one choice, still tempted him a little, the fourth one, Strengthened blood.

It was worth selecting... had the two other choices not been too important for him at this moment.

So, Noel made it a point to select it, the next time, as he made his choices.

[You have selected: Colossal Vessel (Ascended Talent).]

[You have selected: Memory of this Simulation.]

Colossal Vessel, what did this talent entail exactly? 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

When he read the name, Noel wondered, and in the end, he deduced that it was probably related to the body.

And he was right.

Feeling the immense strength, in his body, it was apparent what was this talent about.

But, it didn’t stop there.

It also affected his soul.

His already strong and resilient soul, seemed to have gained some unshakable stability, and his soul zone, seemed to have became bigger, ever so slightly.

Nothing groundbreaking, on the level of his body... but, it was still a welcomed change.

Then, there was the memory.

Noel actually had a misunderstanding here.

Before, he thought, that it will be just like he regained his lost memory, and he feared that he will be affected by them, even if just slightly.

But, it turned out, he didn’t need to worry about that.

Noel received the memories from a third perspective. Like he was watching an immersing movie from the first seat, where not just watching the action of the main protagonist, he also has access to his thoughts.

But, that’s it.

He would be moved slightly, yes, after all, it’s himself... a different himself, but still, he wouldn’t suddenly became the him from his memories.

The one, who gave up on resistance, when an unfathomable force consumed him.

Noel digested the memories he received carefully.

Taking a note of the flood of information he gathered in simulation at first. Before moving on to something not mentioned there, but, now that he got the memories, it became apparent.

All those around him, be it, Selena, Lilith, and Serah, all of them had noticed inside the simulation, how he suddenly started developing at a normal speed... no, slow speed, unlike how the explosive advances he made at one point.

They all noticed, but no one commented on that.

They didn’t want to touch upon a topic, he was probably the most effected by, after all.

Since when have everyone became so considerate?

Noel, really wanted to know.

Regardless, Noel came to a conclusion due to that.

He needs to find away to hide his strength.

He really doesn’t mind displaying his strength in reality, or in the simulation.

And those burst of power when he make the choices after the simulation?

He never bothered to hide them.

Because, he knew, it was impossible.

He could hide things from those who were more weak that him, or those around his strength, but those far stronger?

That’s impossible.

So, he was taking the approach of fuck it... I don’t care.

It was an impossible thing to, after all, and he himself, didn’t have a personality, where he liked to have that mysterious personality, where he needed to hide his talent or strength.

But, that’s changes when it would effect his image in a different way than he intended.

He didn’t want a pity or consideration from anyone, be it from his women... from his allies or from his enemies.

Noel wanted none of that!

Noel’s aura flared as his thoughts moved in that direction, but, in the end, he restrained himself, and moved on to another thing, he found out through these memories.

Zero Division... the organization he made.

He thought to himself, that he actually made an independent organization, but, after getting his memories, it turned out, he was the only one who thought like that.

Others all considered it a branch to the Cross house, or something along the line of a subordinate organization.

It was evident by how he didn’t have any responsibility, while all the others had.

Be it, Selena, Lilith, Serah, or any organization in Earth during that time, all were busy, due to the said responsibility, but him.

And the simulated him knew that, but, he didn’t bother by making any action, and simply sticked to his role.

Why?

Because he has insufficient strength!

Noel’s eyes gleam, and he was even more angry than earlier.

But, in the end, he exhaled a breath of air slowly, and tried to calm himself down.

All of that is something that didn’t happen yet, after all.

And he is growing at an insane speed, unlike himself in the simulation.

..........

’How did thing suddenly escalate to this extent?’

With eyes seemingly still not believing what was going in front of her, Hilda wondered.

It was just yesterday that Noel, her young master, had been training with her, training to increase his understanding with the Destruction Law.

His confident grin, and his brilliant visage, seemed to be still imprinted in her mind.

But, then what is this?

How did thing move to the point, where taking everything away from him is the only solution?

Why is things moving this quickly, and everyone seemed to be fine with that?

He is Noel!

Noel Cross!

Do they not know, what this name meant a few hours ago?

The Cross house with all its might, still had many enemies, but, it suddenly became more peaceful when he was born... why?

Because they fear him more than they fear his father.

Because he was just that brilliant, and that much special.

No one doubted his rise.

No one.

So, how is everyone is suddenly okay, with this fucked up development?

Hilda, still unable to sort her feeling, her thoughts, watched as the ritual was reaching its end, and Edith the leader of the Order of Veil, suddenly took her leave, not even needing to go through the proper gate.

She didn’t give anyone any semblance of attention, and her presence seemed to have became just that much more heavy since the young master Noel lost his conscious.