Jack slowly assessed his abilities as he flew. To be clear, what intrigued Jack the most was the God Aura.
{God Aura: A passive ability inherent to every god. This skill is a passive effect that instills a sense of obedience to the god’s authority in all other living beings.
Unlike others who use mana pressure, it doesn’t consume mana and is a powerful skill exclusive to gods.
The first level only works on plants and some animals, while higher levels can even subjugate dragons.
God Aura is a completely unique skill. It grows with the god’s divinity.
It’s also a skill that can be used with 100% proficiency by those with godhood and divine consciousness.
If the God Aura becomes strong enough, it can weaken an enemy by at least 20%, even if the enemy is stronger than you, 30% if it’s an evil god, and 40% if it’s a demon. It instills fear and a sense of obedience in other races.
If the enemy is a god, the one with higher divinity holds more advantage.}
Jack reviewed the skill description repeatedly before landing to test it. Although he had left the forested area, it was still a place with plenty of trees and plants.
Jack closed his eyes and recalled the holy books he had read. What should a god be like? How would a god think?
Pondering these questions to find answers, Jack closed his eyes again.
A minute later, he opened his eyes, kept his gaze straight, and fully activated ability.
As soon as the ability was activated, Jack saw that all the nearby plants were bending, and some were trembling. Additionally, Jack sensed the snakes and small spiders underground.
They were all frozen and trembling. Jack, feeling their fear through the God Aura, strangely felt satisfied. "So this is what it feels like to be a god..."
"Damn, this is so cool!" Jack cawed oddly as he deactivated the God Aura.
Even after the God Aura was deactivated, Jack still felt some ants fleeing. Feeling his Avatar Creation skill develop, Jack activated it.
First, he wanted to transform into a small child. After a while, darkness spread around him, and Jack hoped he would take a human form, but the ability quickly dissipated, and the shadows scattered.
Sighing, Jack tried to transform into a larger form. This time, he was more successful. The crow, now about 1 meter tall, was delighted.
But when he felt his mana drop by 400 at once, he didn’t want to push himself further to avoid getting too tired and returned to his original form.
Without further delay, Jack took off and rapidly headed toward the mansion as the crow flapped its wings.
Covering a long distance in a short time, Jack continued his journey after resting for a while.
Soon, 400 meters from the capital, Jack, shaking off his fatigue, sped up even more. "Morrigan must be so worried..."
As Jack remembered the times Morrigan had caressed him, his thoughts involuntarily strayed into perverse ideas. Shaking off his own depraved thoughts, Jack wanted to reach the capital as quickly as possible.
Getting closer to the massive white walls of the capital, Jack began to ascend. Rising like an eagle, the crow sped up to pass through the white walls.
Passing through the walls swiftly, Jack began to let himself fall from high above. His body trembled with the intense wind, and Jack’s eyes opened wide with excitement.
Then, in an instant, his wings spread wide like an eagle’s and became more effective.
Diving like an eagle, Jack etched this moment into his memory. Then, when he was 20 meters from the ground, he suddenly opened his wings and surged forward.
"My belongings!"
Jack, feeling guilty, quickly apologized to the man who was scared of him and the man who dropped his glass and then swiftly flew away from the area.
In a short time, Jack arrived at the luxurious mansion near the Academy and saw that Morrigan’s carriage had already arrived.
Rushing through the window, Jack jumped into Morrigan’s arms.
"Ahh!"
While a scream of fear came from Maria, Thomas and Morrigan looked calm. Jack, with his crow eyes, looked at Morrigan.
Seeing her frown, Jack cowered.
"How many times do you disappear without notice, Seth..."
Jack could only lower his head. His pride was already shattered. Should he act cute and apologize to Morrigan?
"My Lady, perhaps we should put a collar on him," Jack cursed as he heard Thomas’s annoying voice. "Caw! Caw!"
(Translation: You again! Four-eyed Devil!)
While Thomas looked at the crow with mocking eyes, Morrigan’s calm voice was heard. "Maria, she gets very tired from searching for you every day; don’t exhaust her, Seth."
6. Lion Prince - Leonis
7. Hawk High Priest - Vireon
8. Master of Crows - Corvinus
9. Deer Lady - Cerviona
10. Dog King - Canis
11. King of Rats - Rattus
12. Tiger King - Tigris
Each was a talented and intelligent individual with their own unique powers.
The weakest among them was Tigris, while the strongest was Thomas.
Unlike the Church, ranks here symbolized both high authority and power. Even an ordinary person could challenge Thomas.
The winner would take the new rank, while the loser, regardless of identity, would be killed. Although this ranking changed every century, one thing remained constant.
Cult Master Helion Leif Anshem Valthor was an elderly man said to be over a thousand years old, appearing almost near death. He was a very mysterious figure even Thomas had seen only once.
He was also the founder of the Hades Cult. Over time, he had faded from the public eye and remained only in the archives, but the Hades Cult grew increasingly adept at hiding itself from society.
"So, the serpent did not come..."
The silence was broken by a woman’s voice. This woman was Vespera, known as the Spider Queen.
Spider Queen Vespera was a delicate and short girl with white hair falling on her back and purple eyes.
Although her specialty was ’Summoning Magic’, she possessed talents in poison that could rival even Thomas.
"Patience is the greatest virtue, Lady Spider." This voice belonged to a young man wearing a Raven mask. His aristocratic attire indicated he was Corvinus.
"I agree with my brother; Thomas must have had a reason not to come..." said Cerviona, known as the Deer Lady. She had long green hair and blue eyes. Cerviona, who was Corvinus’s sister, looked gently at Vespera. "After all, this is happening for the first time."
"Or maybe he’s indulging himself?" Urson said. He had long yellow hair tied up and gentle yet sadistic golden eyes.
"I don’t think Thomas is the type to enjoy nocturnal activities," said Vireon. He had brown eyes and gray hair, with the most interesting feature being his hawk-like eyes.
"After all, this is Thomas."
Urson, whose feminine face showed an amused expression, thought of Thomas. "He really didn’t even acknowledge Cerviona."
Cerviona was known as the most beautiful woman in the Hades Cult. Most people, apart from Thomas, would fall for her, but it often ended in death.
"It’s impossible for Lady Corviona to fall in love with Thomas while I’m around," Rattus said with an irritating stutter. He was mocked by Canis, the burly man with red hair standing next to him.
"You? Don’t make me laugh, Rat! Who would fall in love with someone like you?" As Canis laughed, Cerviona squinted her eyes and made a disgusted expression.
"Apologies, but let’s end this discussion," Corvinus’s calm but threatening voice frightened Canis and Rattus.
"W-w-
Before Rattus could apologize, an oppressive aura filled the entire room. Even Corvinus grew serious, while Vespera smirked and turned her eyes towards the entrance.
"Finally, you arrived. For a moment, I thought you were late, Thomas?" Vespera looked at Thomas, who was calmly staring at her.
Thomas chuckled and scratched his head. Then his eyes roamed to the others. "Had I known you’d be upset, I would have come earlier, Little Spider..."
As Vespera narrowed her eyes, she activated her Mana pressure. When the two Mana forces clashed, the table cracked, and the wind howled wildly.
Canis, Rattus, and Tigris had to kneel, while Cerviona barely managed to breathe.
Those still in good condition were Uta, Urson, Leonis, Vireon, and Corvinus. Nonetheless, as Mana rapidly increased on both sides, the walls began to crack.
Neither Vespera nor Thomas was backing down. Finally, Vespera looked at Thomas’s calm but threatening purple eyes and was startled.
She quickly averted her gaze and canceled her Mana pressure. As Thomas smiled, Vespera glared at him with hatred. ’Why is the power difference so vast...’
As Thomas took his place, he kept a smile on his face. Despite still wearing his servant’s attire, no one underestimated Thomas.
Thomas cleared his throat as he sat down. "Well then, let’s begin."
(Author’s note: I couldn’t publish the chapter because I was busy on Saturday. Sorry.)