Treatise Of A Failed Knight-Chapter 266: Rank 2

Ciel sits opposite me in my room as we discuss.

Her long pink hair sways gently, and her tall, slender body fills my vision. Her purple eyes narrow on me as we speak, and I can see all sorts of emotions flickering in her gaze. From wonder to relief to curiosity.

Many thoughts go on in our minds as we speak.

But I am more concerned with my own recent discoveries at the moment.

It has apparently only been a few days since the time I began my Apotheosis, yet to me, over a year has elapsed. I suppose even I underestimated the time dilation that would take place.

This is a relief.

"This means I can take even longer in Apotheosis, and it wouldn’t even be up to a week." A broad smile forms on my lips as I speak to Ciel.

However, she shakes her head in calm disagreement. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Actually, the time is too unpredictable. In fact, you could take longer in Apotheosis."

"What?"

"It happened to one of our Elders. She took five years to complete her Apotheosis, and ultimately failed, turning mad." Ciel reveals, causing me to shudder mildly.

However, I have a counter.

"That could be—"

"The cost of failure? Maybe it doesn’t apply to those who succeed? Or maybe you are trying to tell me that it is impossible to know how long she actually spent within the Trial Scenario? Well, I have the reports of those who succeeded, do I not?"

I calmly brace myself once I hear those words.

"My seniors have spent as long as ten years in Apotheosis, even experiencing success. When they revealed how long they spent in their respective Trial Scenarios, some weren’t even up to a year. Some exceed that number by a large margin. Some spend an entire lifetime in the Trial Scenario. It all varies. The time dilation effect is also not constant." She explains even further, and I cling to her every word in quiet reflection.

Only when she finishes speaking do I voice out my thoughts.

"So I could have been in there for a decade... or any length of time? It is that unpredictable?"

"It’s why I didn’t tell you anything and waited for you to experience it for yourself."

"I... see."

One person could spend a year in their Trial Scenario and five years would pass in the real world, while another could spend five years in their Trial Scenario and only one year would pass in the real world.

No one can truly tell which one will happen.

’I was fortunate this time around. I took a big risk by undergoing Apotheosis. Thankfully, it paid off this time...’ My brows wrinkle as I sigh deeply. ’Next time, I’ll need to be very careful about my timing.’

"Ah...!" I suddenly remember something once the thought settles in my mind.

"Ciel, didn’t you say that the Elders had run out of lifespan? How did any of them last ten years in Apotheosis? They would have died, wouldn’t they?"

Ciel shakes her head.

"When you undergo Apotheosis, you are surrounded by a sphere comprised of colors, and the many threads of Aego swirl around you. I believe this sphere of influence excludes you from the passage of time. It must place your body in some kind of temporal limbo, halting the aging process entirely."

"That means—" My eye widens immediately.

"Yes. You do not age while undergoing Apotheosis. You also cannot be interrupted, no matter the phenomena that occur. You are practically invulnerable when undergoing Apotheosis."

"I see..."

I absorb more of this information, grateful for Ciel’s accumulation of knowledge.

It is during moments like this that my alliance with the Vey’lithars truly shines. If I did not spare Ciel and exercise mercy on her people, how could I have gained these benefits? In fact, her current level of cooperation is only present because I showed her goodwill and remained fair with her throughout our alliance agreement.

If not... I would not have learned all of these valuable things.

"It’s my turn for a question," Ciel speaks, suddenly pointing at me in a slightly confused manner.

"Okay...?"

"Why does your Existence look like that? It’s surely more defined than Rank 1, but it has not fully formed into Rank 2 yet. This hasn’t been my experience with other Rank 2 Leviathans that I have seen."

I sigh at Ciel’s question.

I am very clearly the novice here, and most of the information about Apotheosis has been gotten from her, so how did she assume I would have a definite answer?

Well, I did represent to her that I would offer her answers that she doesn’t have, so it’s not very strange that she is asking me this. Also, since I am a Harbinger with another perspective on the world of Leviathans, that also likely contributes to the matter at hand.

Regarding her question, I am not completely sure myself.

But, it’s not like I am without any answer.

In fact, my guess is likely correct.

"It is likely because I am a Harbinger with three Fragmented Conceptions. Thus, I require three Apotheoses to reach genuine Rank 2 status."

"Eh?"

"When I was in my Trial Scenario, I could only use my Leaper Fragmented Conception, Tracing. So when I succeeded, only that Conception received a qualitative change. I also feel a stirring within me for the remaining two Pathways, which means I will require Apotheosis for each of them as well."

Ciel instantly gasps. "Seriously?!"

I nod.

"T-that’s..." I notice her give me a pitiful stare, and I accept her sympathy in good stride.

It is indeed something rather grave.

However, since I have long made peace with this situation, I merely shrug.

"Since the Harbinger Pathway is its own unique Pathway, I suspect that being a genuine Rank 2 Harbinger will bring with it some advantages besides just an increase in Rank for my Conceptions. I will only have to wait and see."

"Oh? What makes you think that?" Ciel asks me with bright eyes.

I smile.

"For other Pathways, like Leaper or Seeker, and so on, it appears the trend is for them to experience a higher Interference Power and an increase in the Temporal Layers they can perceive and control. They also experience sharper senses and increased potential, most of which are likely never explored due to the short lifespan of the Elders."

"You are correct," Ciel adds quickly. "All of this is in addition to their more concrete Existence."

"But as a Harbinger, I will naturally experience an increase in my Fragmented Conceptions whenever I complete their individual Apotheosis. I also obtain some small increase in my cognitive abilities and physical potential, or at least I believe I will. However, what will happen once I complete all three? Will it only be limited to an increase in my Existence’s definition? I believe there should be something more waiting for me."

"Isn’t that just blind faith?"

I slightly shake my head in calm disagreement. "My experience as a Leviathan has shown me that for every great power there is a corresponding price. I have also learned that the opposite is also true. Every great price must have its corresponding benefit."

Think about it.

As a Leviathan, one receives a lot of perks.

Power without the aid of a Potion.

The ability to peer into a much different world and manipulate its natural principles.

To control Magivores and witness all kinds of wonders.

Becoming a higher Existence!

But... there is indeed a steep price to pay.

—Existential Deficiency.

A deep hunger that cannot be quenched by ordinary food.

Sustenance comes from Potions, and this dependency only increases the higher one’s Rank.

Many would consider this a fair price to pay for the kind of power they receive, myself included.

Although it took me a long time to get a solution for my problem, I recognize it as a necessary venture. For the amount of power and influence I possess, it is certainly a good trade-off.

What of this situation?

As Harbinger requires multiple Apotheosis to reach the same Rank as their peers.

In my case, this is three times the number of others!

What is the justification?

Is it merely because I possess Fragmented Conceptions from three different Pathways?

I don’t think that sufficiently explains the risk.

After all, even though I am a unique existence that has powers from multiple Pathways, I still only possess limited powers from them.

I am not invincible.

I only possess Clairvoyance from the Seeker Pathway.

What about Vision and Prophecy?

Only those in the Seeker Pathway have access to all of these abilities, yet they only need to experience Apotheosis once.

Why?

They have three Conceptions, same as me... but my risk is far greater.

That means only one thing.

My reward must be far greater as well.

’Lady Anastasia told me that this Pathway brought great challenges, but if I persevered, I would experience a different kind of strength. She also said it is the most unique Pathway. I’m certain she already knew I would have to undergo multiple Apotheosis, which means she must also know the rewards associated with reaching genuine Rank 2.’ I think to myself, feeling a deep regret now more than ever, that I never got to meet the fair lady.

I can only speculate what this reward is.

Other than an increase in Interference Power and Existential Definition... what could I receive?

To properly deduce this, I need to consider what I am currently lacking.

There is one glaring weakness that stands out.

’The cooldown period of every Fragmented Conception, as well as the time needed to switch to a different Fragmented Conception. This matter has posed many great challenges for me in the past, and it’s not difficult to see why that is.’

I let out a heavy exhalation.

Anytime I wish to switch to another Fragmented Conception, I have to spend one hour in my current Conception. This has not changed even with an increase in Interference Power.

My biggest suspicion is that entering genuine Rank 2 will fix this issue.

For now, I can only endure.

’As for my other questions regarding the true origins of these Trial Scenarios and where these Secluded Domains dwell, not even Ciel knows the answer.’

It appears the only one who can give me the answers I seek is Lady Anastasia.

"I wish to believe you, but I am still skeptical," Ciel tells me frankly. "Regardless, we should look at the bright side. You have Rank 2 status in Tracing."

"Indeed. I can access up to the Week Layer." I respond emphatically.

That means exactly what it sounds like.

In the past, I could only teleport myself to where I had been—the limit being confined to a day.

But now...

"As long as it is within the week, I have access to it. However, I suspect I won’t be able to access the full week right away. Just as with Rank 1, I will need some time to grow accustomed to this new status and also increase my Interference Power."

Fortunately, I have the recipe for increasing Interference Power even at Rank 2.

I should be fine.

I suspect that within a year or two at most, I would have fully embodied the Week Layer.

For now, though, my limit is likely only a few days at a time.

"The previous Rank 2 Leapers could also use Tracing to appear in places that they hadn’t been but would be. That should be something you can do as well."

"Hmm..."

"Why don’t you try it? I have used my Vision to see that you will be with me in my private chamber tonight. See if you can use Tracing to head there now."

’This woman...’ I smile at her, and she returns the gesture with a brazen stare.

When did she become this daring? No, she has always been this way.

I suppose she is simply a lot more comfortable with me regarding her desires.

I can’t say I don’t feel the same way, especially now.

"Okay. Let me try."

I immediately use my Leaper Pathway connection and activate Tracing.

My own Temporal Layers of Existence connect with the world, and I try to shift my position to a place I will be within the same Day Layer.

However—

"Guh!" I gasp, loudly coughing in deep pain.

—Failure!

I experience instant failure!