Chapter 198: Elisa’s Divine Epiphany, The Power She’s Unaware Of

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Riven never would have thought that Elisa had reached such a profound level of self-enlightenment. The world around her was responding to that enlightenment in subtle yet undeniable ways. This land, already rich with dense spirit energy and flowing mana, seemed to answer her quiet presence.

This Enlightenment was not merely a simple realization. It was a strong Divine Epiphany she had experienced over all the long years when she had nothing and felt like she was nothing. In that eternal nothingness, she had somehow found herself again. Despite the deep sorrow that still lingered in her heart, she also expressed a level of inner peace that genuinely shocked him.

Beyond the philosophical point, that level of Enlightenment had allowed her own "Self" to slowly manifest outward. That was how she was lifting objects using raw Mana alone. She called it Telekinesis, yet she possessed no true psychic power and held no connection to the Noosphere either. This was clearly not Psionics.

The truth was that Elisa remained unaware of the deeper nature of her ability. She simply attributed everything to her growing "Control of Mana." That explanation alone could never account for what she was doing.

It was something that went far beyond ordinary Mana Control. She was already achieving new powers and abilities within herself, perhaps long before Riven had even unlocked his Authority and begun allowing her to grow stronger alongside him.

"In fact... it’s all thanks to her, isn’t it?" he thought with quiet admiration. "I am receiving the power of her previous self, and she has simply unlocked what was already sleeping within her... My wife is truly amazing."

But what exactly was this Enlightenment? Riven had never been particularly versed in the Arts of Cultivation. To learn more, he would eventually need to visit other Gates connected to those practices.

Those Gates might be fragments of worlds where Cultivation had been widespread. Only there could he hope to find deeper knowledge about the Method she had figured out entirely on her own through pure Enlightenment.

"Look!" she suddenly called out with bright excitement. She lifted a huge bush with effortless precision and carefully plucked every ripe fruit from its branches. "I can do this now. These are... hmm, they look like cranberries. Are they poisonous, dear?"

Riven reached out, took one, and bit into it thoughtfully. The sharp, tart flavor burst across his tongue. "Very acidic, just like cranberries, but... nope, no poison. Completely edible."

"Nice! Let’s eat them with the pancakes then," Elisa said with a satisfied nod. "And tell us what you learned. Don’t hide anything, okay?"

"Okay..."

Riven sat down again. While Elisa cheerfully ate her spirit berries mixed with the warm pancakes, he began explaining everything he had learned from Vladimir. The news shocked everyone present.

"M-Mordred is...! A cult leader?!" Elisa could barely believe the words. Her voice trembled slightly. "I can’t... Ugh, see? It’s exactly what we talked about before... this world is really..."

Riven nodded grimly. "Yeah. I’ve been seriously considering moving out of Central City for now. The original plan still holds. We could go to Beach City instead. We should try to stay as far away from that cult as possible, especially with Vladimir being labeled a traitor. That label alone could bring them directly to our doorstep."

"Ugh, that damn dog-worshipping cultist...!" Kagehisa groaned, clenching his teeth in frustration. "He’s really just ruining everything, isn’t he?"

"It’s not like I can blame it all on him..." Riven sighed heavily. "Fenrir most likely wants to force a direct confrontation between me and my brother... purely for his own twisted amusement."

"Oh..." Daniela sighed softly, her expression turning troubled. "That’s... that’s really awful."

"..." Label lowered her head and said nothing. She truly did not know what words could possibly help in that moment.

"So we’re moving..." Elisa sighed after a long pause. "Hmm... I guess it shouldn’t be too hard?"

"Y-You’re okay with it?" Riven asked her carefully. "You won’t be bothered? I mean... you still love this city, don’t you? The park, the places we visit every day, even the supermarket we always go to..."

"Heheh, maybe a little," Elisa smiled gently. "But I think it’s way more important to stay alive and move away from this immediate danger than to keep missing a couple of familiar places. Besides, you said it would only be temporary, right?"

Riven nodded firmly. "Yes, until... Haaa... until we all grow stronger. Not just me. All of us."

Everyone present raised their heads as they heard those words. Riven was no longer planning to carry every burden alone. Now that he had gathered people around him, and now that Elisa was here encouraging him and giving him real hope, he had chosen to believe in others more deeply.

"Of course!" Daniela said with sudden determination. "I want to grow stronger and stronger, Riven! We have to go into a dungeon soon! I mean... well..." She fell silent for a moment, her earlier enthusiasm softening. "I actually don’t really like fighting... at all. I wish this world wasn’t the way it is, but... I know I still need to grow stronger."

"It’s the only realistic choice left to us," her brother added quietly. "And about my school... can’t I just take classes online? I think we could arrange that... if you’re worried about the transfer."

"Sure," Riven agreed. "Elisa, what do you think?"

"Well, there are a few prestigious schools in Beach City," Elisa replied thoughtfully. "But... Hmm, the boy is still unawakened, right? Maybe if he awakened somehow..."

"Is there a way for unawakened people to awaken without an Authority’s direct intervention?" Hinata asked with genuine curiosity.

"Of course. The same way you ninjas do it," Elisa answered. "Through hard training, by ingesting special potions and pills, and by using rare items. I guess... for his sake, and for his long-term safety, it’s becoming necessary in this world."

Carlos nodded without hesitation. "Sure. I mean, I can already sense Mana..."

"YOU CAN?!"

The entire group froze in collective shock at the calm statement from the young boy.

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