The now supreme archangel had changed quite a bit. His golden-blond hair grew long, flowing down over his shoulders. Another pair of angelic wings had sprouted, so that he now possessed six shining white wings, and his magnificent white robes were adorned with special embroidery of a crucifix, lending him a unique personalization.
Michael now looked more like an angel than anyone else in the hall. He had already appeared like a heavenly, exalted angel before—but now he had surpassed even that and seemed more sublime than ever.
But it wasn't just his appearance that had changed—his strength had also risen dramatically, and the power granted to him by the Creator had instantly brought him to the Legendary Rank.
As the first angel in the galaxy, Michael had, through the divinity of Asher, reached the Legendary Rank and ascended from a Fable Constellation to a Heavenly Constellation.
Through his ascension, he also received a unique fable thanks to the System—one that belonged to him alone and had become a part of his very being.
This fable bore the title: "Right Hand of God."
There were also ranking differences among fables. There were fables that anyone could obtain, provided they performed specific deeds and fulfilled certain conditions. These were called historical fables.
Then there were fables that transcended the mortal plane and could not be so easily replicated—these were called transcendent fables.
And finally, there were unique fables, which could only be possessed by a single person at any given time and granted overwhelming powers. The fable "Right Hand of God" that Michael had attained was one such fable.
The final and most powerful type of fable, however, were the so-called mystical fables.
These fables were not only unique, but also so vast and filled with power that they could only be possessed by beings on the Mystical Rank—hence the name.
These fables of mystical rank typically offered such immense power that they could bring one close to a law of reality, making them all the more difficult to write.
Even the title "Michael, representative of God," which had been bestowed upon him by Asher, would soon begin to write a new story, based on Michael's deeds and his existence as the representative of God, and become a fable. This story would soon evolve into its own, unique tale and perhaps one day even grow into a mystical fable and further strengthen him.
"Congratulations."
"Yes, congratulations, Michael."
"Incredible—you look so different."
The other archangels congratulated their comrade and rejoiced with joy as they beheld the miracle. There truly was no envy—such were the angels: absolutely pure beings who, if anything, only became more determined to do their best and serve God better.
"Congratulations, Michael. It seems you have successfully entered the Realm of the Divine and awakened the power of your divine spark," Asher congratulated him with a gentle voice.
The gentle words filled Michael's heart with warmth and kindness. He bowed deeply and gave thanks.
"Yes, that's right. When I entered this place, I felt a profound, comforting warmth rise within me and grant me access to a power that had long slumbered deep inside."
By reaching the Legendary Rank, Michael had been able to ignite his own, already present divine spark and awaken a lesser divinity.
Angels were a unique race among all others in the galaxy. From birth, they possessed a divine spark due to their innate holy power and closeness to true divinity. This spark already lay dormant within them, waiting to awaken, and would ignite as soon as they reached the Legendary Rank—making it easier for them to reach that power level and granting them a deeper connection to their divinity than most others on the same tier.
Mortals, by contrast, had to ignite their own divine spark within their soul in order to ascend.
This clearly showed the difference and superiority of the angels. One could almost call it a reward for their unwavering faith and devotion—and it made them one of the favored races of the galaxy.
Yet, even though angels possessed a hidden divine spark within their souls and held a clear advantage and a certain superiority over humans and other mortal races, mortals were capable of forming their divine spark already at the Transcendent Rank—one rank before the angels—and thus could obtain their lesser divinity earlier, giving them their own special advantages.
Archangels, on the other hand, had to wait until they reached the Legendary Rank—so their supposed superiority wasn't all that absolute either.
"Very well. A residence within my palace shall be granted to you…"
After Asher had dismissed all the other archangels except Michael, he rose from his enormous throne.
Suddenly, a great black rift opened in the space, and as Asher stepped through it without paying Michael any further attention, his voice echoed through the throne room:
"Follow me. I will help you grow accustomed to your new power."
Michael flinched in surprise as he heard the echoing words of the Creator and turned, stunned, toward the spatial rift through which Asher had vanished.
For a moment, he lost his majestic composure and stood there like a lost soul—until he realized that he had lingered far too long like a potted houseplant, and stepped curiously into the rift, eager to learn what those words might mean.
The rift closed at the very moment Michael passed through it, leaving behind an empty, gleaming throne room.
Mortals, by contrast, had to ignite their own divine spark within their soul in order to ascend.
This clearly showed the difference and superiority of the angels. One could almost call it a reward for their unwavering faith and devotion—and it made them one of the favored races of the galaxy.
Yet, even though angels possessed a hidden divine spark within their souls and held a clear advantage and a certain superiority over humans and other mortal races, mortals were capable of forming their divine spark already at the Transcendent Rank—one rank before the angels—and thus could obtain their lesser divinity earlier, giving them their own special advantages.
Archangels, on the other hand, had to wait until they reached the Legendary Rank—so their supposed superiority wasn't all that absolute either.
"Very well. A residence within my palace shall be granted to you…"
After Asher had dismissed all the other archangels except Michael, he rose from his enormous throne.
Suddenly, a great black rift opened in the space, and as Asher stepped through it without paying Michael any further attention, his voice echoed through the throne room:
"Follow me. I will help you grow accustomed to your new power."
Michael flinched in surprise as he heard the echoing words of the Creator and turned, stunned, toward the spatial rift through which Asher had vanished.
For a moment, he lost his majestic composure and stood there like a lost soul—until he realized that he had lingered far too long like a potted houseplant, and stepped curiously into the rift, eager to learn what those words might mean.
The rift closed at the very moment Michael passed through it, leaving behind an empty, gleaming throne room.
"As my right hand, you shall be the first to behold my true self," Asher declared with an indifferent gaze. "Now let us begin. I will personally stand by your side so that you may test your newly awakened power. Attack me with everything you have and do not hold back! In Heaven, you would hardly get the chance—so make use of it…"
Michael's eyes widened in shock.
He immediately bowed and responded in a loud voice, which was transmitted to Asher through his divine power.
"My Lord, how could I ever dare attack you, let alone harm you? I would rather die than commit such a sin!"
He outright refused.
There was a moment of silence, as Asher gave no answer and seemed to stare at Michael in disbelief—though, given his indifferent demeanor, it was hardly noticeable.
"Ha! Hahaha! HAHAHAHAHA!"
Suddenly, he burst out laughing—loud and monotonous—clutching his stomach with amusement. His laughter made the stars of the cosmos tremble and the very atmosphere quake.
But after a brief moment, he stopped laughing as abruptly as he had started and stared over at Michael with icy coldness.
The sight of this cold stare sent a shiver down Michael's spine.
Though he appeared indifferent and detached, Asher seemed to be deeply offended by Michael's words—though he did not show it openly.
"So you think that, with your pitiful strength, you could even begin to wound me? Ridiculous! You wouldn't be able to come near me if I didn't allow it! So—come. Show me your power!"
Michael was speechless and shocked. But he quickly realized that Asher was right, and sighed reluctantly as he prepared himself. He closed his eyes, and his body began to emit a divine light.
His body rapidly expanded under the radiant divine light, growing larger until he had reached a size comparable to that of a giant mountain.
The six wings of the archangel spread wide, while his halo began to shimmer and became a source of seemingly endless divine power.
Once a divine spark had been formed—or in the case of an angel, awakened—and one had gained their own lesser divinity, they were able to generate divine power themselves. In Michael's case, as an angel with holy power, that force was even more powerful and abundant.
Asher silently observed Michael's transformation into his true form, making no effort to prepare for battle.
He simply had no need to.
As Michael stretched out his hand, a long sword of light appeared in it. In the next moment, he opened his eyes and shot forward.
At near-light speed, he moved with unbelievable swiftness toward Asher and swung his sword in a straight line, striking out in an instant.
From his sword burst a blinding light, imbued with divine power, which formed a massive pillar of light aimed directly at Asher.
But before the pillar could reach Asher, it shattered—as if it had slammed against an invisible wall and broke apart like a cracked mirror.
"What, was that all?" Asher's voice echoed with disappointment and mockery in Michael's mind.
Michael, however, was not discouraged. He immediately moved again. He flew upward at supersonic speed and once more swung his sword, filled with divine might.
Crusade of Sublime Light!
His sword of light grew to a size that even exceeded the colossal form of Asher himself.
Despite its massive size, it descended with incredible speed toward Asher's already titanic body.
"Hmph. Better," Asher snorted softly.
He casually stretched out his hand and activated merely one percent of his power.
The massive sword of light, hurtling toward Asher at terrifying speed, split clean in two—as if it had been sliced.
In the next moment, the gathered divine power of the archangel dissolved and reverted into the small sword in Michael's hand.
Michael stood speechless, unable to comprehend how his attack had been stopped so effortlessly. He stared in disbelief.
"Very good. And now... show me everything you've got!" demanded Asher.
Asher gave him no time to rest and now demanded that Michael give his all. After the second attack, he should have a feel for his strength and now be able to test his full power with the next strike.
Asher was already excited to see what this archangel might offer him.
Michael didn't move. He silently stared at Asher. He truly was the god he served. His Creator and Lord—for whom he would die a thousand deaths without hesitation.
In that moment, Asher's divine aura shone especially bright and struck Michael's heart. Michael had made his decision—not to hold back, even if it meant offending his Lord.
"Very well… Huu~"
He inhaled and exhaled deeply, though there was no air in the void of space. Then he cried out:
"Faith!"
Out of nowhere, loud church bells rang out and echoed through the emptiness of space. They rang and tolled like the very call of life itself—cheering and worshipping Michael.
Michael's eyes began to glow, and his pupils transformed into crosses. His six massive angel wings began to shine and emit divine light, while behind him, a huge pillar of light rose from nothingness.
The pillar of light eventually transformed into a gigantic cross floating behind him, like a guardian angel.
Michael raised his sword and pointed it directly at Asher. His eyes burned with resolve as he unleashed his final attack.
Baptism of Holy Light!
Vast quantities of divine power gathered around the sword of light and compressed into an unfathomable density. It was as if all the light in existence was being drawn into this blade and absorbed.
Once it seemed fully charged, an unimaginably massive beam of light burst from the sword and shot toward Asher with unparalleled force.
With every meter it traveled, the beam grew wider and broader—until it was nearly half the size of Asher himself.
When Asher saw Michael's determination and this attack, he had to smile slightly. Very good. I made the right choice.
He stretched out his hand to the side, and within it appeared a long halberd—even larger than his own divine body.
"I suppose I should show something too—otherwise this would be quite boring!"
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Thanks for ten Powerstones, here is a Bonus Chapter for this Week. Tomorrow will come the next Chapter (24), as usual.
Thanks.