Chapter 104 - 103:
Chapter 104 - 103:
Chapter 104: Chapter 103:
Noboru's Castle - Noboru's Room
Noboru was lying on his bed, reflecting on the past few months. He had been training with Alazon, the basilisk he had befriended and taken on as a student. Noboru had to admit it was good to train with someone who could give him a challenge without the fight being one-sided in favor of either him or his opponent. Alazon possessed Omni Energy, though it was a bastardized version with traces of Celestial Energy similar to Hikari's, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that Noboru was growing stronger by fighting someone who could match him without outclassing him.
Noboru smiled as he thought back to the secret Ayame-chan had revealed to him. Thanks to it, he had made significant progress, mastering and connecting with Omni Energy in just a few months—a feat that left behind the amount of mastery and connection he had achieved after seven years of training when he first arrived. The transcended state was the key, just as Ayame had said. It wasn't a transformation but rather a state of being meant to bridge the gap of understanding and synchronization between himself and his Omni Energy, so he could become one with it. So far, it was working. He had grown by leaps and bounds to the point where his fully-powered transcendent state from his battle with Hikari in the Boundless Battlescape was just a fraction of the power he now held in his base state. In fact, the transcendent state wasn't even a factor anymore; it had become a part of him rather than a form he needed to access. He was always one with it now.
The only thing that troubled Noboru was that he couldn't enter his Hell God State—the state he had used against Maou-sama, Niju Chikara, Yami Chikara, Shin Chikara, and Hikari in the battle for the Dragon Kingdom. Just thinking about that battle angered Noboru; his kingdom had been destroyed because of those kings' greed. He had tried to access the state, but it seemed to be an evolved and final version of his states—a state that would pave the way to absolute transcendence.
Regardless, his mastery over Omni Energy had grown even further, allowing him to master many of its aspects. His ability to manipulate contradictions had also improved. However, one thing Noboru realized was that once he fully mastered and became one with his Omni Energy, he would gain true omnipotence unlike any other—the ability to do absolutely anything and everything without limitation, even creating paradoxes if necessary. As Noboru pondered these thoughts, the doors opened, revealing Layla and Emiko entering the room.
"Noboru-kun, it's time to get up," Layla said in a melodious voice.
"Yes, Noboru-kun, you mustn't be late. Today is the day we've been waiting for. The Duke of the North, Alister, is coming to the party we've been preparing for. I heard he's also bringing his siblings: the Duke of the East, Alexander; the Duke of the South, Charles; and the Duke of the West, Theodore. But that's not what's important. We've received news that the Earth God is also coming, having heard about Alazon, the beast of legends. The legendary Basilisk has become this city's protector thanks to you," Emiko said as she sat next to Noboru.
"Yes, Noboru-kun, today is the day we've been working for," Layla added as Noboru got to his feet.
"Then this is of the utmost urgency. We must ensure we make a good impression. We might not even need to rank up if we can meet the Earth God today and offer him the alliance to fight the Disciples of Darkness," Noboru said as he rushed out of his room.
"Hey, wait for us!" Layla and Emiko shouted as they ran after Noboru.
Noboru arrived in the dining room with Layla and Emiko following him, only to see Yumeko sipping tea, Sky looking at her mesmerized as if she were a goddess incarnated, and Fire General Kai eating breakfast.
"Good morning, everyone," Noboru said as he took his seat at the head of the table.
"Good morning, Noboru," Yumeko replied, looking at him.
"Morning, Noboru," Sky added, still gazing at Yumeko with love in his eyes.
"Good morning, Noboru," Fire General Kai said as he finished his breakfast.
"I'm sure you've all heard that today is the day we've been working toward. The Dukes of Terravale and their older brother, the Earth God, are arriving to see the city and the Basilisk. Today is the day we'll get to meet the Earth God and ask for an alliance," Noboru said as he started eating his breakfast. "I know it's unexpected. You all probably thought I would get a title and then enter the tournament hosted by all four Dukes, win it, and then request an audience with the Earth God to discuss the alliance. However, fate works in mysterious ways, and we've been blessed with the opportunity to ask for the alliance today," Noboru continued as he ate.
"Noboru, you seem really excited about this," Yumeko remarked.
"Of course I am. If we secure the alliance, we can fight against the Disciples of Darkness—the same people who killed Sky's mother and have caused trouble throughout the kingdoms," Noboru responded.
'And then I can finish this story and be with Ayame-chan after ensuring that my friends—no, my family—can live in peace. If they can't, I'll bring the kingdoms with me home,' Noboru thought to himself.
"I'll make sure everything goes smoothly, Noboru. You just focus on getting ready for the arrival of the Dukes of Terravale and the Earth God," Layla said as she stood up.
"Yes, I'll ensure the decorations are perfect. Everything will be flawless for their arrival," Emiko added as she stood up.
"Sky, Fire General Kai, Yumeko, please assist them," Noboru instructed as he finished his breakfast.
"Yes, Noboru," Sky and Fire General Kai replied as they stood.
"Now, let's get to work," Noboru said as he headed toward his room.
"Yes, Noboru-kun," Layla said as she and Emiko left to fulfill their roles, followed by Sky and Kai.
"We'll make sure everything is perfect," Yumeko reassured, standing as the last to leave, following Noboru.
Meanwhile, in the corner of the room, a figure with golden hair and a white blazer watched Noboru with disdain, as if he were an insect—a disgusting piece of trash.
"So, this is your plan. I had intended to attack and take what I needed now, but maybe killing the Earth God will make your plan harder," the figure said before vanishing.