Nexus Ascension: My Comprehension Defies the Heaven

Chapter 39: Death

Grey read through all of them one by one, and eventually Manager Earl spoke up.

”Young Master Grey, usually people opt for bone tempering or skin refinement first,” Manager Earl explained patiently. ”Marrow cleansing and blood refinement, on the other hand, require immense amounts of energy and a pure source to fuel them. The resources needed are... extravagant, to say the least.”

He picked up a digital scroll labeled Copper Flesh Tempering Technique and handed it over.

”This technique is the most commonly practiced body tempering and skin refinement method,” Manager Earl continued. ”Originally, it was part of the Martial Evolutionary Path, but the great scholars of our Blue Star managed to adapt it so that anyone can cultivate it.”

His lips curved into a polished, professional smile. ”Of course, since you’re buying it purely for research, you need not concern yourself with such details.”

”Indeed.” Grey nodded, smiling faintly. ”Alright, I’ve seen enough. I’ll be purchasing everything here.”

”Excellent choice, Young Master Grey!” Manager Earl’s face lit up. With a crisp snap of his fingers, the butler beside him instantly produced a digital ledger. Numbers flickered across its display as the total was calculated.

After a moment, the butler respectfully presented the scroll to Grey.

”Altogether, the complete Esper Evolutionary Path, a mind and soul tempering technique, energy storing techniques, the Copper Flesh Tempering Technique, and all the immortal spells we’ve compiled come to 5,800 Union Credits.”

Manager Earl clasped his hands. ”Would you like to pay in full, or shall I arrange a contract through the Golden Chamber’s credit line?”

”Since you were brought along by Miss Lia, we of the Golden Chamber trust you completely.” Manager Earl flashed a smile.

To this, Grey was a bit speechless. He never expected it to be 5,800 Union Credits; however, he didn’t mind. He got this much money in a single day—this was his daily wage!

What’s there to worry about?!

”No, it’s fine, I’ll pay.” Grey said as he took his phone out and swiftly made the purchase.

Miss Lia shot him a side eye when he did so. It was her money after all!

[Ding! 5,800 Union Credits have been transferred successfully.]

The crisp notification echoed in the VIP room.

Manager Earl’s smile stretched so wide his golden teeth nearly blinded Grey. He clapped his hands together. ”Excellent! With such a purchase, Young Master Grey, it would be rude of us not to show sincerity.”

From his breast pocket, he pulled out a sleek black card with golden patterns etched across its surface. The logo of the Golden Chamber glowed faintly on it.

”This is a VIP Access Card. With it, you’ll enjoy priority treatment at any Golden Chamber across Nova City. Reserved rooms, early access to exclusive techniques, discounts on treasures, you name it.” He respectfully presented it with both hands.

Grey blinked at the card, then suddenly grinned like a kid who had just found candy in his pocket. He snatched it with exaggerated reverence, holding it up to the light. ”Oho~ look at this shine! Heh, now this is the treatment I deserve.”

Manager Earl chuckled politely, not quite sure if Grey was joking or dead serious. ”Of course, of course. Someone like you deserves no less.”

Miss Lia, meanwhile, quietly sipped her wine and resisted the urge to facepalm. True worth? He just burned through my credits like it was pocket change and now he’s acting like a bigshot...

Afterward, Grey put all the items he bought into his spatial ring. With the items bought, he was personally escorted out by Manager Earl.

Sophie was still standing at the doors of the Golden Chamber with a dazed look on her face. To think Grey actually had ties with someone like the City Lord’s daughter!

This was no joke. Just knowing someone like Miss Lia would elevate your status in a social circle and you would enjoy all sorts of benefits.

And she had publicly tried to humiliate him before. She wanted to find a hole and bury herself inside it.

Her co-workers were also shooting her weird stares too.

She then saw Manager Earl casually chatting with Grey and casually escorting him out. She wanted to call out to him and apologize to him, but he didn’t even bother glancing at her. She could only stay helplessly by the side as he went out.

”I’m going home now.” Grey stretched his body lazily. ”We’ll meet at the training zone tomorrow.”

”Yes.” Miss Lia said, and after a pause she added, ”I better not find you using psionic energy tomorrow.”

”...” Grey fell silent hearing this. That was exactly what he was going to do!

”Didn’t you say that Evolver Resonance prevents practice of other paths? What makes you think I’ll be able to use psionic energy? I’m not that special.” Grey said while spreading his hands.

Miss Lia rolled her eyes and didn’t comment further.

By that time, her car to go home had already arrived with Albert in the driver’s seat.

”Are you sure that you don’t want me dropping you off?” Miss Lia inquired. Since she was the one who brought him here, she was naturally obliged to send him back.

”No need. If you drop me off in the Housing Zone area in Sector 6 then I’ll probably be on the local news tomorrow.” Grey said with a deadpan expression.

”Alright.” Miss Lia said with a smile, and she slowly climbed into the car.

Grey stood silently by the side, watching Miss Lia as the door of the luxurious car slowly closed.

Then—his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

In the next instant, his ability stirred to life on its own.

[Your comprehension defies the heavens! By observing The Fated One’s supporter ”Miss Lia,” you have sensed a shift in ”Fate” and comprehended the skill: Fate Insight!]

Grey’s expression shifted drastically. His eyes locked onto Miss Lia as a flood of information poured into his mind like a tidal wave.

The world around him warped, colors draining away until all he could see were countless threads woven around Miss Lia’s body. Violet threads twisted together with ominous black ones.

The new skill whispered their meaning into his mind—violet threads represented challenges... while black threads represented death!

Miss Lia caught the sudden change in his face. The grim look startled her so much she immediately stopped the door from closing and stepped out of the car.

”What happened?” she asked, her heartbeat quickening.

She had only known Grey for a short while, but for some reason, her instincts screamed at her that his reaction wasn’t something she could ignore.

”Nothing.” Grey shook his head lightly, his lips curving into an easy smile. ”Just remembered something I need to take care of back home.”

But deep inside, his heart was still heavy. He had seen it clearly—Death. Miss Lia’s fate had shifted so abruptly that even his ability had been forced to respond.

”Is that all?” Miss Lia gave him a blank look, half-exasperated. ”For a second, I thought something serious had happened to you. How strange...”

She rolled her eyes and muttered, ”Why did I even bother getting out of my car?”

With that, she turned around and slipped back inside. Albert, who had watched the whole exchange silently, narrowed his eyes slightly as he glanced at Grey. He could tell something wasn’t as simple as it looked, but said nothing.

”Well, I’ll be leaving now,” Miss Lia said awkwardly, her hand already on the door. Even she couldn’t quite explain to herself why she’d jumped out to check on him. They weren’t close at all—definitely not close enough for her to be worrying about his expressions.

”Safe travels,” Grey replied calmly.

Just as she was about to leave, Grey looked from Albert back to Miss Lia and spoke in a softer tone. ”The City Lord... he’s still in Nova Mansion, right?”

”Yes,” Miss Lia nodded, a bit confused. ”He’s in seclusion there.”

”That’s good.” Grey nodded. ”Since you’ve just grasped how to control sword energy, I think it’s better if you train on your own for a while. Don’t show up tomorrow—stay home and practice for a day or two. You’ll find controlling sword energy much easier after that.”

”Huh? Practice at home?” Miss Lia’s heart skipped a beat for some unknown reason. ”Why? Didn’t you say to meet at the training zone tomorrow?”

”I did, it’s your wish, but I suggest staying home and practicing.” Grey said. ”I didn’t think it through before.”

”And stay home. The closer you are to the City Lord the better.” He added.

”Huh?” Miss Lia’s expression became even stranger than before. ”What suddenly happened to you?”

Instead of feeling strange and weird, she felt the opposite. The more Grey spoke, the more a feeling of dread appeared—a feeling which gave pressure to her heart.

”I trust your intuition, Miss Lia.” Grey said. ”I’ll be leaving now. Practice hard at home. At home. Got it? Don’t go anywhere for the coming few days.”

His gaze shifted to Albert, who met his eyes and gave a small nod, as if silently agreeing with him. Without another word, he started the car, leaving Grey standing there as he watched Miss Lia’s car slowly leave from his vision.