Chapter 1581: Ascencion

Askar stared at Erend with a deep frown after hearing his question. Erend could not tell what was going through the Dragonborn’s mind from that expression so he simply waited. He did not look away. His eyes remained fixed on Askar, making it clear that he meant his question and genuinely wanted an answer.

"I believe I already told you that I have to protect this Trial," Askar said.

He looked at Erend, Eccar, Aesa, and Sylven one after another. All four Dragonborn watched him with clear expectation.

Askar felt a heaviness in his chest. He had lived in solitude for so long and these Dragonborn had finally come to see him after all those years. He did not want to disappoint them. But this was something he could not change.

"I know," Eccar said. "But can you really not leave this place? If we encounter another cosmic-level threat, I’m afraid we won’t be able to handle it by ourselves. Even with everything we gained from the Trials."

Askar looked at Eccar for several seconds before answering. "I can’t. I cannot leave this Trial. I am bound to it."

Eccar’s expression fell.

"But perhaps I can give you my clone to help you," Askar continued. "Do not expect too much from it, though. It will be much weaker than me."

Erend did not want to appear ungrateful. Askar had already offered them something despite his own limitations, and Erend appreciated that.

But he understood the problem immediately. A clone of Askar might still possess considerable power but compared to the cosmic beings they had encountered, it would not be enough to turn the tide in a serious battle.

"Is there anything we can do to increase our power enough to contend with those beings?" Erend asked.

There was no time for pleasantries now. Erend needed to keep searching for ways to grow stronger. If he stopped here, he would never have enough power to protect the people he loved.

Even with the Black Rage no longer posing the same overwhelming threat, he still needed more strength.

"Of course," Askar said.

Erend immediately focused on him.

"Keep training. Consume more Magical materials. Increase your fundamental power. And perhaps..." Askar paused for a moment. "Ascend."

"What?" Erend stared at him.

Eccar, Aesa, and Sylven exchanged confused looks.

Askar nodded slowly and continued, "Ascension. It means rising beyond your mortal shell and becoming a cosmic being."

Erend froze and his eyes widened as the meaning of Askar’s words sank in. For a moment, he could only stare at him.

A way to become a cosmic being? The possibility felt enormous.

Erend had spent so much time fighting beings that existed on a level far beyond him, and now Askar had just told him that there was a path that could potentially allow him to reach that same level.

"However, you must understand that it is not easy," Askar continued. "Not at all. Even discovering the method for your own Ascension has an extremely low chance of success."

"You don’t know the method?" Erend asked, his expression suddenly filled with eagerness.

"No." Askar shook his head. "And I have never bothered to search for it myself. Ascension into a cosmic being is never simple. Every being has a unique path. Nothing is exactly the same. Finding that path is the first step, and you will need a great deal of luck to discover it."

Erend fell silent.

He had expected Askar to reveal some ancient technique or hidden method that they could immediately pursue. Instead, he had only given them another possibility and another enormous mystery to solve.

Erend let out a quiet sigh. "There are still so many things I cannot reach."

He looked down at his hands and clenched them lightly.

Still, knowing that such a path existed gave him something new to pursue. He did not know if he would ever find his own path to Ascension, but he would not forget what Askar had told him.

After they finished their conversation, the four Dragonborn prepared to leave.

Erend stood and faced Askar.

"Thank you," he said sincerely. "For everything. You gave us the chance to face the Trials and become stronger. You also helped us understand ourselves better."

Eccar nodded. "Yeah. Even though your Trial nearly broke me, I’m still grateful."

Askar looked at him without changing his expression. "I’m glad you survived it."

Aesa gave Askar a small nod. "Thank you for allowing us to use this place."

Sylven remained quiet for a moment before finally speaking. "Thank you."

Askar looked at the four of them. His expression remained calm, but something in his eyes softened.

"You are welcome. Take what you learned from the Trial with you. Do not waste it."

Erend nodded."We won’t."

The four Dragonborn then turned toward the exit.

They walked through the metal house together and left Askar behind. The door closed behind them with a heavy metallic sound, and they found themselves back inside the larger building that surrounded Askar’s dwelling.

For a moment, none of them spoke.

The Trial had exhausted them more than a battle. Even though their bodies had recovered somewhat from the chocolate and the rest, their minds still needed time to settle.

Eccar stretched his arms and sighed. He said in a relaxed tone, "I think I just want to go home."

"Same. We should rest for now," Erend nodded and said immediately.

Aesa agreed with a quiet nod. "That would be wise."

"We can meet again after we recover," Sylven also nodded.

Erend looked at the other three. "Then let’s do that. We have a lot to talk about once we’ve had time to think."

Eccar gave him a tired smile. "Agreed."

"We should not disappear for too long," Aesa said

Sylven gave a small nod.

They stopped in the middle of the road and prepared to leave. Each Dragonborn gathered their own Magic and began forming a portal.

One by one, the familiar distortions of space appeared before them. Light gathered around their bodies as each portal opened toward a different destination.

Erend looked at his three companions one last time. "See you soon."

The four Dragonborn then stepped toward their respective portals.

Within moments, the top of the mountain fell silent again, leaving only the fading traces of Magic where the four Dragonborn had stood.

They had entered the Trial and left it as Dragonbown who understood themselves a little better than before. Now it was time to rest first.

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