Sovereign of the Ashes

Everything happened so fast that Sein found himself frozen in shock atop the tortoise’s massive back as the Rank Two black mage, Van Basten, was violently swatted into the depths of the sea.

The sheer terror of the giant tortoise’s strength could be discerned through the Rank Two black mage’s desperate scream.

Previously, Van Basten had withstood attacks from Sein and his plant allies, even successfully escaping their vine cage.

In contrast to his earlier defiance against Sein and the plant creatures, Van Basten offered no resistance against the overwhelming might of the tortoise, swiftly succumbing to its force and disappearing beneath the waves.

Yet against this giant tortoise, he could not mount any meaningful resistance and plunged into the sea, along with the ominous black shadow.

It was unmistakably clear that the dark shadow was none other than the tail of the giant tortoise.

With minimal movement, the creature effortlessly got rid of the Rank Two black mage with a mere flick of its tail, akin to swatting a fly.

Sein was left wondering if the Rank Two black mage was dead.

As he faced the monstrous waves stirred up by the tortoise’s splash, towering over a thousand meters high, and the vast expanse of the sea tumultuously rolling before him, a profound sense of powerlessness washed over Sein.

Even if he managed to activate the milky-white Viridescent Seed bestowed upon him by his mentor, the plant creature would likely prove futile against this giant tortoise.

Moreover, it dawned upon Sein that even Lorianne might be powerless against such a colossal creature...

Sein could not help but wonder about the kind of terrifying existence he was facing and how many similarly formidable creatures lurked in the Boundless South Sea of the Magus World.

As the towering wave threatened to engulf him, Sein mustered his waning strength to raise his magic rod in an attempt to erect a protective magic shield against the impending deluge.

Yet, to his astonishment, the tsunami wave never reached him. The cascading waters dispersed in other directions as if repelled by an invisible barrier.

Aside from that, not even a drop of rainwater reached him.

The giant tortoise let out a deep, resonant roar that vibrated through the surrounding waters.

As the distinctive sound echoed in all directions, Sein watched in awe as a remarkable spectacle unfolded before him.

The tornado and torrential rain that had enveloped a vast expanse of the nearby sea quickly let up.

The once-dark and ominous clouds above head swiftly dispersed too, allowing a beam of golden sunlight to penetrate the layers of white clouds in the sky and illuminate the sea below.

The fiercely turbulent waves and tides calmed completely as the giant tortoise delivered a resounding slap on the sea’s surface with its massive forefoot.

The rapid changes in Sein’s surroundings left him momentarily stunned.

He understood that even his mentor, Lorianne, would find it challenging to alter the geography and environment of the Magus World with such ease.

Remarkably, this colossal creature did not seem to employ any magic or elemental powers.

This phenomenon was mysterious and unique. If Sein had to describe it, he would refer to it as the “power of laws”.

Sein remained in a state of disorientation and contemplation as the giant tortoise regarded him with interest.

Despite the creature’s imposing presence, Sein found himself reassured as the dark clouds dispersed and sunlight bathed the sea.

The giant tortoise’s eyes, black and round, were framed by two short and sinewy horns atop its skull, reminiscent of antlers yet exuding a majestic aura akin to that of a dragon.

It made him wonder whether this giant tortoise possessed an exceptionally rich dragon bloodline.

Despite its formidable appearance, the giant tortoise struck Sein as sincere and friendly.

Were it not for its swift dispatch of the Rank Two black mage, Sein would have harbored no fear toward it.

Sein discerned a gentle aura and benevolence in its eyes, leading him to believe that the giant tortoise harbored no ill will toward him. In fact, Sein even considered the creature to be his savior.

Sein was cautious, and knowing that his trump cards were likely ineffective against the giant tortoise, he refrained from showing any hostility toward the creature.

“Hey, why do I sense a trace of Magus World’s origin energy within you? Are you another Fortuitous One who caught the planar will’s attention?” A light-hearted voice echoed in Sein’s mind, exuding a youthful tone akin to that of a child.

However, the voice possessed an overwhelming force that compelled Sein to dismiss any trivial thoughts.

Sensing the lack of hostility from the giant tortoise and an overall warmth toward him, Sein gradually relaxed. He was even surprised to find himself feeling a sense of familiarity toward the creature.

It was as though an invisible bond between them was pulling them closer.

In response to the giant tortoise’s inquiry, Sein drew a deep breath and honestly shared the story of how he came to possess the origin energy of the plane.

Without a doubt, the origin energy came from the Planar Light bestowed upon him after the conclusion of the regional academy war by the Summer Guardian, who happened to be passing through the Viridescent Land during the event.

Initially, Sein had not placed much significance on the Planar Light, considering its impact on his power to be relatively minor.

It merely facilitated his smooth advancement to Rank One, with potential benefits for future advancements up to Rank Three, as mentioned by his mentor, Lorianne.

Naturally, the giant tortoise’s assistance was not without reason. Considering that the giant plant creatures Sein had summoned during his battle with the black mage were the main culprits for disturbing the tortoise’s slumber, it seemed the Planar Light bestowed by the Summer Guardian had influenced the tortoise’s disposition favorably toward Sein.

Under normal circumstances, Sein would not disclose the secrets of the Planar Light to a stranger.

However, given the unique circumstances where he found himself in the presence of a non-hostile, immensely powerful being, Sein trusted his instincts and chose to be open.

After hearing Sein’s explanation, the giant tortoise reacted in an almost human-like manner, smacking its lips thoughtfully.

Although Sein was still standing on the tortoise’s back, they could converse without any issue due to the creature’s elongated neck.

The giant tortoise showed no inclination to remove Sein from its back either.

“Ah, the esteemed Summer Guardian... Speaking of which, I’ve been overseeing this area on her behalf for a millennium. It’s time for me to return,” the giant tortoise casually remarked.