In a massive hall that was built with white and gold marble blocks, many figures gathered, and were watching the large, ethereal screen that was hovering in the air. A few people had smaller screens that they watched on their own, but most people focused on the large one in the air.
Amongst all the beings gathered, two figures mingled, stopping to chat with others a few times before they stopped at a large table that held crystal cups.
“Ah, there you two are.” A deep voice reached Michael’s ears, and the God turned around with a polite smile. Asteria held onto his arm like a clingy koala, and also had a smile plastered on her gorgeous face.
“Dardan, to what do we owe your presence.” Michael smiled to the more powerful God. Dardan was a huge, five meter tall, beastly figure who could change his form at any time. He was one of the major Gods that ruled over this world, and his standing was much higher than Michael’s and Asteria’s.
“Oh, do not mind me. I only came for a drink and noticed you two here. I initially recognized Asteria; who could miss her beauty? Before noticing you. It seems you have gained more followers as of late. Your hair shimmers even brighter.” Dardan grinned, exposing the line of canine teeth that lined his mouth.
Michael’s jaw twitched, but he knew the powerful God before him meant no offense. This was how most Gods were. Their egos were so large that they did not receive any snark for their bad or insensitive attitudes. Soon enough, if everything went well, then Michael would grow to this level.
Dardan turned to Asteria with a wolfish grin. “Lady Asteria, have you seen your father yet?” He asked.
“Not yet, Your Excellency, I believe he has yet to arrive.” She replied with a curtsy.
“Alright. Tell the old man I was looking for him when you manage to see him.” Dardan picked up a large class and tossed its contents into the back of his throat. His skin color turned from green to red as the contents of the crystal cup reacted violently to his body. It was similar to the casual attack of a Peak A rank going off within his body, yet that was only enough to give him a slight buzz.
The large Beast God then turned away and sauntered off to mingle with the other major Gods that had already arrived for the banquet. Left alone, the couple turned their attention back to themselves.
Michael picked up two crystal glasses and presented one of them to Asteria with a charming smile. “Have a drink, lovely.”
“Thank you, charming.” Asteria laughed and took a tentative sip, her eyes lingering on Michael for a few more moments before turning to the large screen above. The screen was showing a heated battle between two powerful A rank beings. A Mid A rank Castle Golem was being assaulted by a Peak A rank Elf.
The Elf was like a feather in the middle of a hurricane as he danced around the lumbering Castle Golem. Try as it might, the Castle Golem’s attacks utterly failed to touch the Elf, so it switched gears.
With a rumbling bellow, the gates of the castle atop the Castle Golem’s back swung open. Winged stone figures dashed out of the gates to chase after the elusive Elf that was like a mosquito. The stone figures were angel statues that bore solemn expressions on their faces. Their stone wings flapped like those of a dove and they chased after the speedy Elf like lightning.
The Elf maintained passive expression as he methodically dealt with the statues chasing after him. He dashed down low, flying over the trees that were rooted down to the ground below, pouring his mana into them. The moment the golems flew by, thick, long vines snapped upwards and snatched a few statues from the air, pulling them down to be consumed by the trees.
The Castle Golem groaned in pain, as it was seemingly connected to those statues, but otherwise, it was fine. Green light glowed out of two tiny holes which seemed to be its eyes, and the remaining statues got a comprehensive boost to their power.
Asteria watched as the fight evolved and moved from point to point, with the Elf gradually destroying all the statues and turning his attention back to the Castle Golem. Then he unleashed havoc.
The fight ended up with the Elf seizing control of the castle Golem, and not only taking a lot of resources, but also gaining a powerful combat asset.
“That was rather interesting, don’t you think?” She turned to ask Michael, but the gunmetal haired man was absorbed in a different screen that hovered beside him. Tilting her head, Asteria looked into the screen and found a rather familiar figure. She poked Michael to get his attention.
“Ah, yes. What is it?” Michael pulled himself away from the screen and turned to Asteria with a smile.
“You are still absorbed with that little one. What rank is he now?” Asteria smiled flirtatiously.
“He is now B rank. His growth has been quite fast, and his skills are lagging behind.” Michael said and shook his head. He was surprised at how quickly Leon was growing, but he was sure that if Leon could not get his skills up, then only hardships would await him when he tried to step into the realm of A ranked beings.
“Hmm, how much help have you given him so far?” She asked, her interest in Leon sparking up once again. What had initially made her interested some time ago was Michael’s fixation on the boy. That was why she had gone to ask Baba Yaga for a favor. Seeing that Michael had not yet given up on him meant that he was still invested and that Leon had enough talent.
“Aside from the journals initially, I have given him nothing else. Yet, his growth continues to be boosted by some lucky encounters. It seems this boy’s luck in off the charts.” Michael grinned.
“Looks like you are happy.” All of a sudden, a cool pressure landed on the back of Michael’s neck, and his grin stiffened. Asteria looked behind Michael, and her eyes turned brighter than ever. She sidestepped Michael and hugged the tall, red haired man that had just arrived.
“Your Excellency.” Michael bowed his head.
Golden eyes focused on Michael for a second before moving to the small screen hovering beside him. An identical one appeared beside the red haired man and he watched for a while as the Obsidian Skeleton displayed within it conjured a tornado of fire that wrapped around him.
“I see our little project has grown stronger.” The red haired man’s lips did not move, but his voice was conveyed to Michael nonetheless. A traceless form of telepathic communication. Not even the other major Gods could crack this communication as long as it was him doing it.
The red haired God’s name was Fazir, and he was a God who had completely grasped Fate. Through this means, he was able to make sure that no one could trace his actions.
“Indeed, My King. But his foundation is not solid. His skills are still only at the Apprentice Stage. At this point, he will end up being useless for our plans.” Michael replied calmly.
“Indeed, but he is working on it. I have been watching him closely from the beginning of the Bout. I still have great expectations from him. Make sure he does not fail.” Fazir said calmly.
“As you wish.” Michael replied, and the link was severed.
“Oh, that’s right. Dardan was looking for you!” Unaware of her lover and father’s little chat, Asteria suddenly remembered that Dardan had come looking for Fazir before.
With a nod, the red haired God turned on his heels and walked over to where the major Gods had gathered in hushed conversation. From their expressions, it seemed that something serious was happening.
‘Could this be related to why Fazir made me bring that boy over to this world?’ Michael absently wondered, his blue eyes sharp.
Shaking his head, he turned around and picked up another crystal cup, holding it to his lips. He was tired.
“What’s on your mind?” Asteria curled her arm around his and took a sip of her drink. She eyed him curiously.
“Nothing, just tired. Even my stamina runs out at some point. With all the ruckus those troublemakers from the Demon Continent are causing, I barely have time to rest.” Michael shook his head.
The world below had been rowdier as of late, but it was not his place to interfere yet. Nevertheless, it was still irritating.
“Well, don’t mind them. Let us sit and have a drink.” Asteria patted his shoulder before switching her drink with a flick of her wrist, then she led him elsewhere where they could relax and enjoy this Banquet of Gods.