Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Chapter 48: A Shocking Display

The envoy snapped back to reality, shaking off his disbelief as he forced himself to regain composure. With a slightly strained voice, he announced, "Lucy Luxoria, passed."

Outwardly, he appeared calm, but inside, his thoughts were in complete disarray. He couldn't fathom how someone so powerful, and not even a noble, could emerge from this group. His mind raced, trying to make sense of what he had just witnessed.

"This can't be right," he muttered under his breath, barely loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. He clenched his fists, his brow furrowing deeply. "Someone this young, this strong... there has to be something more to her."

His eyes narrowed as he cast another glance at Lucy, who was calmly stepping back from the stone. "She must have powerful backing," he concluded, swallowing hard. The idea sent a ripple of caution through him.

"There's no way someone like me—a mere four-star warrior—should provoke her," he murmured to himself, his tone a mix of realization and wariness. For the first time, the envoy's usual arrogance was replaced with a hint of fear, as he silently vowed to keep a careful distance from this mysterious girl who had shattered all his expectations.

The envoy took a deep breath, forcing himself to regain his composure. Once he felt more in control, he called out, his voice steadier, "Is there another person who wishes to take the test?"

Barely had the words left his mouth when a figure stepped forward—a man with long golden hair and a strikingly handsome face. The moment he moved, the crowd's attention shifted entirely to him, drawn by his commanding presence.

The envoy's eyes narrowed as he studied the newcomer. "What is your name?" he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral, though a hint of curiosity seeped through.

The man met his gaze, and with a calm, almost casual demeanor, replied, "Zeus."

The envoy nodded slowly, his mind racing. "You can do anything to the stone," he said, trying to maintain his authority.

Zeus responded with a confident smirk and a nod. The envoy caught that smirk, and it sent an uneasy chill down his spine. He couldn't help but shudder slightly. "Is this man like that girl—mysteriously strong?" he wondered, a wave of uncertainty washing over him.

"What is going on today?" the envoy thought, his mind now a tangled mess of doubts and anxiety. "Who are these people?"

Meanwhile, Zeus—Lucas in disguise—turned his full attention to the stone before him. A sly grin spread across his face as he connected with the system in his mind. "So, how strong do we need to be now? How big of a show should I put on?"

[The bigger, the better,] the system responded, dripping with arrogance. [Let's make sure everyone knows you're not someone to be messed with. Give them a spectacle they'll never forget.]

Lucas's grin widened, a dark gleam in his eyes. "So, a big showcase right from the start?"

[Fuck yeah! Go big or go home, baby.]

"For the Celestial Academy, I need to give them a show they'll talk about for years", Lucas thought, relishing the idea of making an unforgettable impression. His smirk grew more wicked as he envisioned the shock and awe on everyone's faces.

But even as he prepared, his thoughts briefly shifted to his sister. "Lucy is stronger than I ever imagined. Those so-called noble prodigies? They don't even come close to her."

The system chimed in with a mocking tone. [Of course! Those nobles might have titles and money, but they don't have what really matters—a special physique and a divine scripture. They're nothing compared to your sister.]

"I see," Lucas mused, his expression turning thoughtful for a moment. "I really underestimated the power of a special physique and a divine scripture."

The system's voice cut through his thoughts, oozing pride. [You bet you did. Now stop thinking and start showing off. Give me the best performance you've got.]

"Gladly," Lucas replied, his grin returning, more twisted than before. The anticipation of what he was about to do sent a thrill through him as he prepared to leave everyone in the arena speechless.

Zeus positioned himself a short distance from the stone, his mind already crafting the dramatic display he intended to create. Remembering Lucy's powerful eruption spell, he decided to put his own twist on it—something both subtle and explosive.

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Lucas raised his hand, shaping it like a pistol and aiming directly at the stone. His lips curled into a playful smirk as he casually uttered, "Bang." A small streak of thunder shot from his fingertip, striking the stone. For a moment, nothing happened.

The crowd's reaction was immediate. Laughter erupted from the participants, mocking Zeus for what appeared to be a pitifully weak display.

"What a joke!" one of them sneered.

The envoy, watching closely, frowned in disappointment. "Was I wrong about him?" he wondered, the earlier unease fading into doubt.

Julian and Cedric exchanged disdainful glances, their expressions full of contempt.

"How can this commoner waste our time like this?" Julian thought, barely containing his irritation.

Cedric smirked, his tone dripping with condescension. "Typical. He probably thought he could impress us with a parlor trick."

But then, just as the crowd's laughter reached its peak, the stone began to glow faintly. The mocking jeers quickly faded as all eyes turned back to the stone. The glow intensified, growing brighter and more ominous with each passing second.

Without warning, the stone erupted into countless pieces, the explosion sending debris flying across the arena. The force of the blast sent shockwaves through the crowd, leaving them stunned into silence. Even the envoy, who had been so certain of Zeus's failure, stood frozen in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock.

Zeus slowly turned to face the envoy, a smug grin spreading across his face. "So," he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery, "did I pass?"

He held the envoy's gaze, the smirk never leaving his lips as he added with a tone full of arrogance, "Or do you need another demonstration?"

The envoy, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, could only nod numbly, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. "How could I have doubted him?" he thought, his earlier arrogance crumbling into awe.

Zeus let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying the stunned reactions around him. "That should keep them quiet," he mused, relishing the moment as he turned and sauntered away, leaving the crowd to grapple with the spectacle they had just witnessed.