Bloodbound Codex: I Grow Stronger in Secret

”Now, back to the matter, you all are wondering how the Tree of Astraya contains Aether in the first place to sustain the Veil, right?”

At Eliomor’s question, everyone around the table nodded. They had already understood that something about the Tree of Astraya was different from an ordinary source of energy, especially after learning that Aether was the energy circulating throughout the Galaxy.

Eliomor began explaining without keeping them waiting, ”The truth is, the Tree of Astraya itself doesn’t contain the Aether. It acts as a bridge between the Galaxy and the Veil.”

Seraphiel tilted her head slightly as she began connecting the information in her mind. She remained silent for a few moments, seemingly going through everything Eliomor had explained since the beginning of the meeting.

Then, as if she had finally reached the answer, her eyes widened slightly and she stood up. ”I may be wrong, but I think this entire realm acts like a ’World,’ a normal World, right? Through which it takes the Aether from the Galaxy and connects it to the Veil, allowing the Veil to remain sustainable.”

Eliomor immediately felt startled by her explanation and stared at Seraphiel for several seconds. ”...That is correct, you are sharp.” It complimented her because, despite having almost no prior knowledge about how the realm had been constructed, she had managed to connect the information and understand the basic chain of events within seconds.

Atlas, who was sitting beside her, suddenly felt slightly delighted by her deduction. ’I knew it. She is sharp.’ Somehow, he felt strangely proud, as though Seraphiel understanding the explanation so quickly was somehow raising his own dignity as well. He couldn’t understand how or why he felt that way, but he kept the thought to himself and allowed a faint smile to appear on his face.

Seraphiel noticed Eliomor’s reaction but didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she nodded slightly before continuing, ”And the Tree of Astraya might be channeling that Aether from the entire realm into the Veil, am I correct?” Eliomor stared at her again, its thoughts becoming slightly more complicated as it wondered how she had managed to understand so much from such a limited explanation.

For a brief moment, it even considered whether Seraphiel had somehow been present when the realm was constructed or whether she had already seen the future of this meeting and somehow knew the explanation beforehand.

However, Eliomor quickly dismissed the possibility because it could sense when someone was observing its future, and it possessed abilities of its own that allowed it to detect such interference.

’It must simply be her business mind, shaped from childhood, that allows her to connect the dots so quickly...’

Eliomor eventually dismissed the matter and returned its attention to the explanation. ”That is also correct. This entire realm was created by Luberion, and the Tree of Astraya itself was created for that exact purpose. However, as of now...” Its voice became slightly more serious. ”...the Aether Channels within the Tree of Astraya are deteriorating.”

Everyone who had shifted their attention toward Seraphiel after hearing her explanation immediately looked back toward Eliomor. The meaning behind its words became much clearer once they understood how the Tree actually functioned.

If the Tree was the bridge connecting the Galaxy’s Aether to the Veil, then the deterioration of its Aether Channels meant that the Veil’s energy supply was already approaching its natural limit. There was no simple method of maintaining it forever, and the two-month deadline suddenly became much more understandable.

Before anyone could question the obvious loophole, Eliomor continued.

”You might be wondering why we don’t simply heal those ’Aether Channels.’ That possibility was also considered and attempted in the past, but it is impossible. Anyone who tries to repair the channels will have their entire lifespan drained within seconds...” Eliomor paused for a moment before shifting its attention toward Atlas.

”Even with your ridiculous abilities, that is impossible.”

Atlas frowned slightly. He had already considered the same possibility himself. If necessary, he could interfere with the Logic governing the channels and potentially replace their existing structure with something new.

He had even considered using Event Absorption, which he had somehow obtained from Orivian as one of his Traits, to absorb the entire event of the channels deteriorating in the first place. Yet Eliomor, who already knew about his ability to alter Logic, had apparently considered the same possibilities and was still declaring them impossible.

”What do you mean by impossible? Explain.”

Eliomor nodded before answering, ”Those channels are directly made from ’Laws.’ They aren’t simply structures created through abilities. Laws exist on a higher principle within the Galaxy than abilities, and trying to interfere with them directly would cause even your lifespan to be consumed.” Its spherical body shifted slightly as it spoke, emphasizing the seriousness of its explanation.

Atlas finally understood what Eliomor meant. He had already experienced how absurd Laws could be during his agreement with the Dragon Emperor, when even his Null had failed to resist their power.

His own abilities were extraordinary, but that didn’t mean they could simply override every Law that existed. If the Aether Channels were directly constructed from Laws, then attempting to forcibly alter them would only create another problem. ’It is better to stay away from those Laws for now.’

Atlas had also considered using the opportunity to make the others indebted to him by repairing the channels, but it seemed that plan was no longer possible. He wasn’t particularly disappointed, though. He had only considered it because the situation presented an opportunity, and there was no reason for him to take a risk that could consume his lifespan.

Eliomor then continued, ”Now, the matter of fact is that we have two months before both a bad and a good thing happen. You all already know the bad thing that is about to happen. As for the good thing, when the Veil disappears, Aether will begin filling the entire World. The concentration of Spirit Energy has already decreased considerably over all these years because of the continuous clearing of the Ruins.”

Everyone around the table arched an eyebrow after hearing that, except for Zaakrax’s four old friends, who maintained indifferent expressions throughout the entire explanation.

Kael immediately noticed their unusual reaction and narrowed his eyes slightly, ’Hmm... These four seem suspicious, don’t they, System?’

The System responded without hesitation.

[Host needn’t worry. These four are the ones who maintain this realm. If you focus your Soul Force into your pupils, you can see the connection they have with this entire realm.]

Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly as he immediately followed the System’s instructions. The moment he focused his Soul Force into his pupils, his vision changed. Thin chains could be seen extending from the Soul Cores of Mostleon, Yulia, Garthax, and Aurelis, disappearing into the surrounding realm as though their souls were directly connected to the entire World.

’Damn... There must be something that happened in the past for them to become bound to an entire realm like some kind of prison.’

Kael stared at the four of them for another moment before eventually shifting his attention back toward Eliomor. Whatever had happened to them in the past was clearly another mystery, and he wasn’t going to expose his discovery without knowing what kind of reaction it might cause.

His attention returned to the explanation about the energy that would soon spread throughout the World.

’Aether... At least something familiar from those novels.’