Ethan held his breath, his eyes widening as he stared behind that pitch-black door.
It was wriggling slightly, like a pulsating intestine. Within that dark void stood a flickering, pale blue figure. She had long white hair and a face as calm and featureless as a mirror's surface, radiating a chilling, frigid aura.
A memory flashed through Ethan's mind, and he recognized her—the high-tier being he had encountered once before, the "Maiden in the Mirror."
[I knew you would make it here...]
The girl spoke slowly. A frost followed her voice, creeping along the threshold and curling around Ethan's ankles. Her pale eyes watched him without blinking, her entire presence exuding a glassy, inhuman quality.
[As a mortal, you have climbed far enough. You have attained the "Long-life" that countless others dream of...]
[However, long life is not immortality. It is not yet enough to challenge a "God."]
The glassy transcendent slowly raised her hand, tracing a line from her abdomen up to her heart.
[Continue your ascent. Climb toward the heart that represents life itself. Pass through the gates that resemble heart valves...]
[Only there can you touch the pinnacle and become an existence capable of battling a God.]
[First, you must find the key to the gate—it is hidden deep within the wisest of minds...]
As her voice faded, a line of text floated before Ethan's eyes:
[You have received a hint from the "Maiden in the Mirror": The Path of Ascension]
["Only by passing through the final gateway can you earn the right to battle a God. A gate naturally requires a key, and I have given you the hint." So says the Maiden in the Mirror.]
[Her words are as cold and mysterious as she is. Strange—why is she helping me?]
The system's descriptions are getting more vivid by the day, Ethan thought to himself with a dry smirk. But she was right; he had the same doubt.
Were these high-tier beings just naturally "hospitable," eager for more people to join their ranks?
Ugh—looking at the Reaper's pathetic, mental-breakdown state, that's probably not it. Therefore, his promotion must serve some purpose for them...
Ethan's eyes flickered as he watched the pale blue girl. However, she said nothing more. Her figure began to dissipate like mist, just as she had arrived. She left behind only one final, faint expectation:
[I shall wait for you... behind the gate at the pinnacle.]
Immediately after, countless thin red threads shot out from the passage! They wound around Ethan's body in silk-like layers.
Ethan's first instinct was to break free, but he stopped himself the moment he felt the surging energy contained within those threads. He allowed them to burrow into every pore, flowing into his veins and reshaping his internal organs.
They wrapped him tightly, like a cocoon undergoing a metamorphosis.
"Haaa..."
Amidst the numbness and the stinging pricks of pain, Ethan narrowed his eyes in pleasure. He felt a world-shaking change occurring within him, as if molten lava were washing through his body, scouring away every impurity.
...Even though that pale blue Transcendent made it sound so tempting—final ascension, power to fight Gods, and all that—it still feels a bit "off."
"Whatever. Final ascension is still a long way off. I'll set that aside and focus on the current goal."
—Use the Guidance Bone to find the remains of the Reaper left in this world.
And then... smash them to pieces.
Meanwhile, by the Veil.
"Wow—" Ginny's eyes went wide as she pointed upward. "Ethan is glowing!"
A misty golden light was seeping out from the crimson cocoon, radiating an aura that made one want to drop to their knees in worship.
"That kid... he couldn't actually be surpassing the Dark Lords of the past two generations and becoming a 'God,' could he?" an Auror muttered. He quickly caught himself and gave an embarrassed laugh. "Haha, just kidding."
At the same time, he felt a profound sense of relief. Having a youth this talented and powerful on their side was the most reassuring thing in the world.
"I suppose it's true. Whenever a great enemy like Mr. Lamp appears in the wizarding world, an equally brilliant Savior emerges," the Auror remarked emotionally.
Sure, Ethan had just blown up the Ministry of Magic... but that was excusable! It was for the sake of resisting a powerful foe. Besides, you certainly didn't want to offend a wizard of this caliber—
"Are you—are you INSANE?! ETHAN VINCENT!!"
A roar exploded from the entrance.
The Aurors' hearts skipped a beat as they turned to look. They saw their "esteemed" Minister for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, rushing in with Headmaster Dumbledore and another squad of Aurors.
Scrimgeour stared at the scene in stunned silence, his jaw working and his face turning a violent shade of purple. He spun around, screaming at the Aurors who had arrived first:
"What are you all doing?! You just stood there and watched Ethan destroy the place?! ALL OF YOU—GET OUT! YOU'RE FIRED!!"
The Aurors looked at each other. Then, with a series of loud cracks, they all Apparated away.
Fine, fire us. Let someone else deal with this mess. We're done!
Seeing this, Scrimgeour began to tremble with rage, the purple in his face turning a vivid red. He looked like an overripe tomato about to burst. He couldn't even save face anymore. He looked up at the massive hole that now pierced through the entire Ministry, felt a sudden chest pain, and staggered back, gasping for air.
...How he wished he could just open his eyes and find this was all a nightmare.
His Ministry... it really was blown up!
Scrimgeour's heart ached so much he could barely breathe. His features contorted as he bellowed at Dumbledore:
"Dumbledore! Look at what your 'star student' has done! A few months ago, he let Dark Wizards attack the Ministry, and today, he just blows it up himself!"
"This is a blatant—a BLATANT—trampling of the Ministry's authority!!"
"You—I order you to go and arrest Ethan right now!"
Dumbledore blinked. Me?
Go and deal with Ethan Vincent, who has clearly just gotten significantly stronger? Is he serious?
Just as Dumbledore was about to pick at his ear and pretend he hadn't heard a word, a subtle sound drifted down from above:
Crak. Crack.
The heavy cocoon was splitting.
A moment later, a brilliant, dazzling golden light—like a newborn sun—burst forth from the cracks. It drove back every inch of darkness, illuminating every corner of the chamber. Everyone present was forced to shield their eyes. It was impossible to look at directly.
"What's happening?!" Scrimgeour shouted in terror, pushing his magic forward.
To his horror, he found that his magical shield was instantly disintegrated like dust under that golden light. What kind of monstrous magical power is this?!
"So beautiful..." Luna whispered, her blue eyes reflecting the radiant glow. "I want to be the moon that stands beside him."
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, a single foot stepped out from the shattered cocoon.
Then, a tall, slender figure slowly emerged. His curly black hair fell loosely behind him, and his cobalt-blue eyes shimmered with golden light. That handsome face was enough to steal a girl's soul even without the help of the Imperius Curse.
It was like the birth of a new King.
The crowd fell silent, their mouths hanging open as they gazed at the figure with a mixture of shock and awe.
[From this day forward, even the eldest Nicolas Flamel will look upon your receding back and sigh.]
[What you have gained is not just time, but the power to walk through the long river of time!]
[Congratulations! You have successfully broken the limits of mortality and ascended to the next level of life.]
["The Immortal"]
Ethan raised his hand, golden light swirling in his palm as he felt the endless magic surging within him. He glanced down, looking at the terrified and furious Minister Scrimgeour.
His lips curled slightly as he spoke in a soft, airy voice:
"Ah... I've had enough of red tape."
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