Chapter 157: Pawns of Marble City

Atika Light grabbed hold of a Relic, seeping her energy through it, causing a spike in the aura, conforming to the essence condensed only through Marble Sonata. In the meantime, the door opened as a middle-aged man entered, slumping on the empty seat placed opposite her desk.

Before he could utter a word, a flash of magenta appeared, condensing into the figure of Psychic Ancestor Marble. Even after seeing his appearance, the middle-aged man showed no change in demeanour, acting like he owned the place.

"Thanks to your efforts, we have managed to accumulate enough resources to last us a year." The marble figure commented, its tone filled with gratitude.

"I am never doing it again in my life. Having to swallow so much meat, I was about to puke." The middle-aged man placed a hand over his mouth, puffing his cheeks a little to showcase his sense of disgust.

"Angrushen…" A gentle voice resounded, shutting him up immediately, pausing his actions. Atika Light gazed at the marble figure, "Inform Laila about the situation. Also, see what she has to say about this phenomenon."

"I am conversing with her right now," The marble figure replied, "She said her plans about the Mental Realm had failed when Space died. She has silently broken through to Tier 2 right under the eyes of Mary, without alerting her."

"So, what are her current thoughts about the hound Jyorta witnessed?" Atika Light spoke, sporting a frown. Her actions, her demeanour, and her tone of voice treated Psychic Ancestor Marble on equal standing. Moreover, the other party too treated it as normalcy.

"Until she reaches Tier 5, she has no plans to confront it." The marble figure replied, sighing once, "This will put our elites at risk."

"We can try to lure it away using the subsouls by attempting to breakthrough outside the city and lead it towards the habitat of the Floating Spiders. This will cripple their growth." Angrushen Light suggested, having kept silent till now.

"But, this method is just a stopgap measure. The moment Jyorta, Laila, or Heima for the matter attempts a breakthrough, it will be lured back. Moreover, using your tactic, we will be feeding it with the essence of the Psychic Parasites, elevating its threat." Atika Light retorted.

The marble figure scratched its forehead, expressing its frustration, "Laila said one more line before refusing to speak any further."

A flash of marble spread out, forming a layer over the room, isolating it from the rest of the world. The marble figure spoke aloud, "We will soon experience the Saturation Point."

Atika Light's eyes widened in shock, the pupils in them dilating towards the edges; she lost her composure, experiencing her body faintly tremble. Angrushen Light held her hands, soothing her tensed state, allowing her to calm down after a couple of minutes.

Atika Light downed a glass of water placed nearby, gazing at the marble figure in confusion, "And, how did she arrive at that conclusion?"

"Through the Mental Realm," The marble figure replied, "This was why she tried to affect the Mental Realm. I am not sure of what she is plotting but it seems she hasn't been able to glimpse success as of yet."

Atika Light glanced at Angrushen Light, "See if you can interact with the Mental Realm. It would be for the best if you can capture the hound."

"I will try," Angrushen Light nodded, "Let me talk with her later. I may be able to find something helpful."

Atika Light waved her hands, intending for them to drop the matter. She then picked up a set of documents, "How capable is Jyovic Bone? Heima and Jyorta are potential candidates; if he is lacking, he would hinder their growth."

"Light favours Jyovic Bone, seeing some potential in his research. Their orientation is also aligned." The marble figure shook its head, "Besides, considering his nature, Jyovic Bone will do anything to push them towards the peak."

"If his methods are the flame, then we ought to be the coolant to prevent them from burning out." Atika Light said.

"If I have to be honest, mother, you have a higher chance than them at achieving Tier 6, even now, if we were to use that supplementary method." Angrushen Light said, looking at Atika Light in the eye, stubborn in his views.

"We have gone through this topic many times, Angrushen…" Atika Light massaged her forehead, "Were I to attain Tier 6, I don't have the confidence to remain on the side of humanity. Instead of that, at my present state, I can contribute to humanity and nurture the younger generation."

"Should any problem arise, I can resolve it." Angrushen Light replied, raising his voice. Even the marble figure nodded in response to his claims, having a clear idea of his abilities.

"Arrogance is tantamount to foolishness," Atika Light unleashed the full brunt of her aura, turning everything within the room into dust. The effect even produced minuscule damage on the marble layer, shocking Psychic Ancestor Marble.

"I am well-versed about Marble Sonata, hence I can affect it despite my lower Tier. As long as I have knowledge of the Skill, I will be able to partially use it. Were I to become Tier 6, I would be able to fully use the Skills I have comprehended, unleashing effects at Tier 6." Her aura experienced a subtle change, having long since activated her Tier 5 Skill.

Next, the skin of Angrushen Light began to turn dark as an ink-black substance seeped into him, causing traces of smoke to appear on his body. Angrushen Light unleashed a sliver of his aura, eliminating the effect, dissipating the ink-black substance.

"Corrosion…" The marble figure muttered in shock, gazing at Atika Light in wonder.

Atika Light deactivated her Tier 5 Skill, speaking at Angrushen Light with an admonishing tone, "The current you cannot even withstand a single punch from Parasite. If I were at Tier 6, I may not be as powerful as him, but I will be able to counter every Skill in existence upon watching it in action even once. Even if you were to succeed in using Memoir Beckoner on me, will you be able to handle the aftermath?"

"Finish Nurturing your Tier 6 Skill so that I can confidently attempt to breakthrough to Tier 6. Until then, I won't attempt even if I were to age out." Atika Light said, retracting her aura, heaving exhausted breaths. Angrushen Light hurriedly helped her while the marble figure created a chair for her to sit.

"Anyway, the Mental Realm is developing too fast. Our progress will soon be hindered by the growing number of Cogent Phrenics there. Unless we devise a countermeasure, our future is numbered." Atika Light concluded, resting her weary body.

"You should rest for some time," The marble figure said, "You have been working nonstop for the past few days to manufacture the Wisdom Plants."

"Rest, mother," Angrushen Light said, giving her limbs a light massage.

The marble figure then glanced at Angrushen Light, "Light requested for your presence, saying he plans to hand over everything to you."

Angrushen Light's actions paused, the shock behind the statement possessing immense weight, overwhelming his reasons. Atika Light too wasn't any better, losing her composure once again.

"What happened to him?" Angrushen Light quickly regained control of his bearings, "Why did he suddenly change his mind?"

"Ever since he saw your Unranked Skill, Memoir Beckoner in action, he has been having such thoughts. Moreover, he lost his final blood relative in the Flying Signature Raid. The loss of Anruhen Light is eating away at him. Also, you would need a lot of time to get used to…that…process, right?"

The marble figure sighed, "So, he planned his mind, to prepare for the five races war that will soon erupt within a few decades."

"But…giving me everything…that means…it is risky. I have yet to test it on Tier 6 beings. There is a significant chance of failure." Angrushen Light hesitated, feeling his words fail to form. The situation at hand wasn't something he could deal with a calm mentality, lacking even the tiniest shreds of optimism.

The gravity of the situation dictated the future of Marble City, connected with its existence. If the process went wrong, then it would weaken humanity as a whole, not to mention crippling Marble City.

"I too have the same in my mind," The marble figure sighed, "But now is not the time. You still need to develop more. It is too early now and I still have more than three decades to live. If I control my actions, I might be able to extend my lifespan even more."

"I will buy you enough time to fully mature." The marble figure looked at Atika Light, "There is a talented individual in my Marble Family. She too has a shot at Tier 6. I will leave her in your hands."

"You can rest assured. I plan to create a force solely to nurture the candidates who have a shot at Tier 6." Atika Light thought for a moment, finalising her decision, her gaze filled with resolve.

"I will declare them the Pawns of Marble city," Her voice resounded within the room, filled with a sense of resolution that pitted one's life against all odds. "I will initiate the Queening process, just like Ancient Chess."