"Unending Despair. That's what the vision showed me."

[Quest completed: Answer the questions of Sphinx (4/4)]

[+100 Immortal Exp]

[Immortal Exp: 156/150]

Neo stood up.

He answered the Sphinx and received the answer he wanted.

Emotions.

The visions taught him much about them.

"I'll be taking my leave."

Neo turned around.

A portal materialized behind him.

He stepped into it and appeared in the principal's office.

Charlotte, sitting across the table, put down the documents, adjusted her glasses, and stared at him.

"You took your sweet time to complete the visions, Neo Hargraves.

"Do you realize how much of a headache you've caused me?"

"…?"

"Check your device."

Neo took out his phone.

He saw 99+ notifications from Arthur, Mars, Amelia, Felix, Jack, and Nathan.

Charlotte massaged her brows.

"Your friends refused to believe you were with the Sphinx for the last three months.

"Half of the academy thinks you are on a secret mission. The rumors are wild, to say the least."

Neo visited the academy's forum.

Almost every topic was about him.

"The Divine Ruler, Neo Hargraves. Click this post to find the secret behind is strength!"

"Is Neo Hargraves more talented than Percival Solaris?"

"What is Neo Hargraves' Bloodline? Today we find out the answer to mystery!"

"Is Neo Hargraves the strongest first year Ruler in the history of the Academy? Let's see a detailed comparison."

His lips twitched.

"What is hell?

"Last time I remember I was being called a fraud and the Inconsequential Zeroth.

"Why are they calling me Divine Ruler?"

"Your mission evaluation report."

The four words answered his doubts.

S-rank mission evaluation reports were released on the official website of the Academy.

Neo's performance in the mission, coupled with the fact he escaped a closed Window, skyrocketed his fame.

"The Temples, the God Clans, the countries, and the media. All of them want to meet you.

"Day and night I keep getting calls for an appointment with you."

Charlotte's expression contorted.

"But our dear Ruler is still within his vision and I had to refuse the appointments.

"Do you know what everyone outside the Academy think?

"They think we are trying to hide you and keep you for ourselves!

"You aren't even Mythic Demigod! Why would we try to poach you already!?

"I explained this to everyone. But no! They won't believe a word I say!"

She glared at him.

"Tomorrow, you are going to meet Senior Templars. Then, the media, the delegates of God Clans and the countries.

"There are some Paragon Demigod and Exalted Demigod who wants to meet you too.

"Your schedule for the next month will—"

"No, I'm not meeting anyone."

Neo added.

"I've lost three months of my classes. I can't waste another month on these useless things."

"You have to."

Charlotte stared at him with a fierce gaze.

"I'm sure the Academy forbids any outside party to poach a student before they reach 2nd year."

"The rules don't matter in this situation. Your case is special.

"It's not every day you meet someone who can fight against the geniuses of God Clan just after a month of awakening his God Blood."

"I don't want to meet anyone."

"But I want it. What can you do?"

"I can complain to Prof. Elizabeth?"

Neo's innocent expression and his devious words exasperated Charlotte.

"Will you stop using Eliz's name every time you are losing an argument against me?"

"Of course not."

Neo smiled.

Charlotte massaged her brows.

"Get out."

A portal suddenly appeared beneath Neo's feet and he fell.

Neo appeared in the sky above Seraphim Hall.

The fall wouldn't kill him, but it would break a few bones.

'How can someone as old as her be this petty?'

He was speechless.

As he neared the ground, Neo used Ocean's Embrace and covered his body in the Aura of Darkness.

The black flames were stronger than what he normally used.

The voices spoke to him, but Neo remained calm.

His experience in the visions helped him maintain his sanity.

He flipped in the air and landed gracefully.

The black flames absorbed the impact of the landing.

Neo grinned.

He could picture Charlotte looking at him in stupor, shocked to see him unharmed.

"My mastery in Darkness has increased principal."

Neo knew Charlotte could hear him even though she was still in her office.

"You should've thrown me from a higher place."

Neo entered the Seraphim Hall.

He stepped into his room.

After taking a shower, he prepared to make the breakthrough.

He sat crossed legged in the training room.

"Seal the room."

The training room whirred to life.

The AI shut down the doors and placed additional insulation.

"I'd rather not alert the whole dorm like last time. It's best to breakthrough this way."

He closed his eyes.

The air around him grew thick with Divine Energy.

His body trembled from the immense power welling up within him.

The ground beneath him cracked, unable to contain his growing aura.

Neo focused.

The barrier to the next rank was like a wall of iron.

As his aura continued to swell, the barrier weakened.

Sweat dripped down his face.

The barrier shattered with a thunderous crack.

His body surged with newfound strength.

His aura became more refined and potent, and every fiber of his being resonating with power.

Neo exhaled.

Grade 3 Awakened.

He had ascended.

"Status."

[Neo Hargraves]

[Rank: Grade 3 Awakened]

[Divine Energy Purity: Grade 4 Mythic]

[Stats]

﹂Strength: 39

﹂Speed: 41

﹂Dexterity: 36

﹂Constitution: 35

﹂Luck: 0

[Affinity: Death, Shadow, Darkness, Void, Water, Time]

﹂Magic Spell: Necrotic Touch, Ocean's Embrace, Essence Breath

[Bloodline: Monarch of Death]

﹂Unique Skill: Death, Immortal

[Quest: Barbatos' Training (Part 1)]

He checked his stats.

They were quite nice for a Grade 3 Awakened Demigod.

"What about the skill?"

[Immortal Lvl.3]

[Exp: 0/200]

[Effect: You gain an extra life every 24 hours (Max Stack: 5).]

"…."

"Just one extra stack? This fucking…."

Neo had to stop himself from crashing out.

He sighed.

"Why am I even trying anymore?"

Neo accepted it.

He would gain one more stack of Immortal at Grade 2 Awakened and another one at Grade 1 Awakened.

It was better to give up on Immortal and focus on other things.