Novel Full Chapter 1635 Convergence
Chapter 1635 Convergence
Atticus gazed coldly at the old man standing before him.
“Who are you?”
“You… you can see me?”
The old man stared at him with wide eyes. He seemed shocked that Atticus had been able to see him.
‘I almost didn’t.’
He had left Omnicognition constantly active because they were in an enemy base, yet it hadn’t seen through the camouflage. Instead, it was the elemental molecules that alerted him to the distortion once he got close enough.
Atticus gripped his blade tightly, allowing his will to churn around him. The old man was clearly dangerous. He couldn’t let his guard down.
“Hah…”
Under Atticus’ fierce gaze, the old man cleared his throat, regaining his composure.
“Haha, relax. I was just surprised.”
The old man grinned at Atticus’ bluntness, stretching out his arm for a handshake.
“I am Azeron. It’s good to finally meet you, Atticus Ravenstein.”
‘Azeron…’
It was the Ursuper Elder that had sent Go to them.
“….”
Azeron chuckled as Atticus stared at his outstretched arm without taking it.
“What do you want?”
“Straight to it, huh? I like that.”
Azeron’s demeanor suddenly turned serious as he stood straighter.
“I want you to become my disciple.”
Atticus was slightly taken aback, staring at the man silently. To be honest, he hadn’t expected this turn of events. At best, he had thought they would ask him to join the Ursupers in exchange for information about Anorah.
‘It’s the same thing.’
Regardless, Atticus wasn’t in the business of joining cults.
He blinked.
“No.”
“Heh. Figured you’d say that.”
The elder didn’t lose his smile, merely nodding as though it had been expected. Though Atticus could see he wasn’t happy about the refusal.
“In that case… represent the Evoli in the Convergence. In exchange for information.”
“…Convergence?”
Azeron calmly nodded.
“Did Go tell you about us like I asked?”
“He said you want to revive Solvath.”
Atticus didn’t keep the coldness from his tone. Their goal would inevitably make them clash. If not now, then in the future.
Azeron didn’t seem to care, clicking his tongue.
“…That’s it? Tch. That idiot.”
Azeron muttered about what a pain it was and promised to teach Go a lesson. He cleared his throat a moment later.
“Alright. Let me explain. We’re called the Ursupers, but we’re not the Usurpers.”
“….what?”
“Ah, forget it. I’m terrible at explaining things. Go should’ve handled this. Just… try to follow me, alright?”
Atticus silently nodded.
“Think of the Ursupers as a whole institution. The Evoli is just one branch of it.”
“There are other branches?”
“Yes! Exactly.”
The elder laughed, clearly proud that Atticus had gotten it. “We all want the same thing, Solvath’s revival. We just disagree on how to get there. You’re probably wondering what our belief is.” “No.” “Alright, I’ll tell you!” The elder shamelessly ignored Atticus. “We, the Evoli, believe strength is everything. Talent decides worth. The strong rise. The weak get crushed. Simple.”
A heavy pressure leaked from the Elder as he spoke. He clearly felt strongly about it. “Then the Convergence…” “Yes.” Azeron grinned.
“A clash of dominance involving every fragment bearer in the middle planes.”
‘Hah…’
Atticus curled his fists. Just when he thought everything was starting to go alright, another problem reared its head.
‘A battle of fragment bearers…’
Fragment bearers were the most talented beings in the universe due to Solvath’s influence. One could only imagine the sheer number of fragment bearers, not just in the Span, but across the entire middle planes.
“The middle planes are vast and divided into segments. How do you plan to gather every fragment bearer in one place? What about those who haven’t even awakened?”
The elder answered with one word.
“Solvath.”
“Solvath?”
“Yes. He’ll handle everything. Awakened or not. Verge, Span, Crown, he’ll summon them all.”
“….”
Azeron smiled, seeing Atticus’ confusion.
“No, he hasn’t fully reawakened,” Azeron added. “But he communicates with our leader.”
“Leader?”
“I told you we’re divided into schools, didn’t I? That doesn’t mean we don’t have a leader. He founded the Ursupers.”
“Where is he?”
“At the Crown.”
Atticus wasn’t sure how to react. No matter how he looked at it, this wasn’t good.
‘Solvath…’
If this were a competition he could refuse, he definitely would have. But from Azeron’s words, it was clear Solvath was the spearhead of all this. It would be naïve to think his consent to participate was required.
“Why now?”
Atticus asked after a moment.
“As far as we can tell, enough fragment bearers have awakened. Solvath has regained enough power to finally act.”
It made a lot of sense. But it was still terrible news.
A moment of silence passed between them.
“So? Will you do it?”
The elder stared at him eagerly. He didn’t seem the least bit bothered by the coming carnage.
‘I don’t have a choice.’
The mere fact that he had no say in participating grated on him, but Atticus forced the feeling down and fixed the elder with a calm gaze. If he was going to participate in the Convergence anyway, he might as well gain something from it.
“…Alright.”
“Good… good!”
Azeron grinned so widely his teeth were fully on display.
“Haha! Those old coots will never believe this!”
He laughed loudly, shaking his head.
“Hmm, that’s right!”
His eyes shone as he stared at Atticus. Atticus didn’t like that look.
“There’s a slight… issue you’ll need to resolve first.”
“…What?”
…
It was noon. Sunrays beat down on a massive coliseum filled to the brim with roaring spectators.
“Deon! Deon! Deon!”
As a bare-chested man stepped into the ring, millions shot up from their seats and roared his name with intensity.
The man in question, Deon, wore only black loincloth that barely contained a large bulge. He waved at the cheering masses with a grin, flexing his muscles.
‘Let’s get this over with.’
Atticus stood at one side of the ring, watching the man play to the crowd. His talk with Azeron earlier had ended with the conclusion that he would fight in a conclave to convince the other Evoli elders to accept him.
Atticus had used the opportunity to increase his bargaining power and obtain something useful.
Now, he wanted nothing but to be done with this and deal with the sheer implications of what he had just discovered.
Feeling Anorah’s gaze on him, he gave her a nod. There was no shred of worry on her face. She knew the result of this battle better than anyone.
“People of Evoli!”
A broad man with a bushy white beard appeared above the coliseum, drawing the attention of the crowd.
“This is the Conclave!”
As the man shouted, the crowd instantly erupted into roaring cheers. Atticus could feel the coliseum trembling beneath his feet.
He searched for Azeron through the chaos. The elder was seated among other aged men, likely the other Evoli elders. There was a large grin on his face, and Atticus could practically feel his thrill despite the distance.
“As always, we Evoli honor dominance! Only the strong deserve to stand tall! The weak have no place among us! What are we?!”
“WE ARE EVOLI!”
“WE ARE EVOLI!”
“WE ARE EVOLI!”
Elder Gordon smiled at the booming shouts and oppressive pressure. He had decided to preside over this battle for precisely this reason.
‘It’ll kill his morale.’
With millions of Evoli shouting, there was no way an outsider like Atticus wouldn’t be intimidated. The elder flicked a glance at Atticus, but frowned when he saw his unmoved expression.
‘Hmph.’
The elder waved, silencing the crowd.
“Now, we gather to decide who is stronger. On one side, Deon Salvaner!”
The coliseum exploded with intense cheers.
“C’mon, Deon! Show him his place!”
“Kill him!”
“And on the other side… Atticus Ravenstein.”
The loud cheers vanished, replaced by an oppressive silence. Every single eye bore down on Atticus.
Elder Gordon held back his smile.
“As always, this battle will be fought using aspects alone. No will. No weapons. Do you understand?”
“Yes!”
“….”
Atticus gave a curt nod.
Elder Gordon clenched his teeth at the disregard.
‘Let’s see how long your arrogance lasts.’
His student was the strongest of their generation for a reason. With his dangerous aspect, Atticus wouldn’t stand a chance.
Elder Gordon smiled as his arm dropped.
“Begin.”
“Kill him.”
An unseen bubble suddenly enveloped Deon, shrinking at a rapid pace until it popped into nothingness.
The entire coliseum fell deathly silent.