CHAPTER 100: LEVIATHAN

They look like ripples.

The way ripples appear on the surface of water, forming rings that expand endlessly until they vanish. But, this time, it’s the opposite—the rings contract, endlessly appearing from an invisible and vast exterior and vanishing once they contract to the center.

These ripples exist everywhere I look.

The doctor has ripples... and so do the nurses and everyone else around me. Not just them, but even the ground, the table, the chair, the bed, and so on.

Everything that exists... has these ripples.

I can only clearly see four of these rings in the ripples, and they glimmer with radiant colors.

The central ripple appears bright yellow, and it vanishes after a second, only for another one to appear and also vanish after another second.

After is the orange one, which lasts a minute, before vanishing after the minute.

The third appears bright red.

It hasn’t vanished, but it slowly moves towards the center with the passage of time.

I reckon it will be gone by the hour.

The final one that I see looks golden, and it has barely budged since I woke up. It looks like it could last the whole day before finally condensing into the center, only to be replaced by another.

These four ripples... they appear to be layers.

Layers of Existence!

I vaguely sense the others from which the four ripples are derived, but I can only clearly see these four—Second, Minute, Hour, and Day.

They exist everywhere.

Even around me, I see them, like ripples spread across my existence.

They aren’t flat, as one would see on the surface of water, but have three dimensions, pervading the existence of everything else in sight.

However, this is only a fraction of what it is that I see.

The doctor... everyone and everything around me... has this vague and nearly transparent presence. I can see through them, almost like they were translucent glass. It’s almost like their existence isn’t very well defined, and the world around me also operates in the same vein.

I look around and spot a few things that seem to be a little more condensed.

Potions and Armaments.

They look a little less vague than everything else in front of me.

The Potions lined up on the high shelves look more real, and I can easily spot the few Armaments that exist in the room, though it appears they are auxiliary types meant to maintain the sterilized and sanctified state of the medical ward.

’They must have disinfecting effects...’ I tell myself.

I witness the world in a daze as the doctor explains the situation to me, talking about how the Duke sent forces to retrieve his daughter and army after realizing what his daughter and son did without his knowledge. It turns out I was the only survivor, so they gave me urgent medical attention before bringing me back.

That’s how I survived...

As I listen to the doctor, watching his concerned but near-transparent face, I notice something else. Something... even more astounding.

—Threads.

They’re everywhere, these colorful threads.

They glisten with all kinds of colors, extending from everyone and everything around me, connecting everyone and everything in an endless dance of uncanny wonder.

There are six colors of threads around me, and they also have different shapes and sizes.

Almost immediately, I grasp the meaning.

The six colors should represent the Leviathan Pathways, and their shapes and sizes should have to do with the Conceptions that exist within each one.

I see three colors especially bright in my line of sight, swirling invitingly to welcome me.

They have sparks that make them alluring and pleasing to the eyes.

The colors are Green, Purple, and Blue.

The green threads that call for me all look like springs, twisted and turning like endless spirals.

As for the purple, they are all wobbly and distorted, having thin lines that extend in multiple directions. As for the blue threads, they are lush and beautiful, appearing delicate, but free-flowing like water.

Everything in the world around me is attached to these threads, and they all intertwine to form multicolored threads that extend towards me.

The combined threads fuse with my body as though I am the grand tether that connects them all.

Like webs of all kinds of variation, they intricately meld with the ripples around, forming a complex relationship that I cannot unravel with my current understanding.

As for the threads of other colors—crimson, orange, and a rainbow-like kind—as well as their shaped variations, they aren’t attached to me so seamlessly. Despite being colorful, they have a dull lustre about them, and they feel somewhat out of reach.

I try to reach out to them, but they shrink back as if my presence repels them. Even though I feel like I can forcibly connect with them, something tells me it’s a bad idea. As for the other threads, they enticingly invite me to pull them, and the sparks only get brighter once I close in on them.

Right now, I’m alone with the doctor.

He doesn’t notice the threads, the ripples, or the transparent-like world that I see.

"This is all... so strange..." I mutter quietly, my voice calm. "But I think I understand it."

These threads... they must be the Aego that Lady Anastasia mentioned. The ripples and rings that form from them must be the Layers of Existence.

Regarding the transparency of people, that must be their existence, signified by their connection to the Aego. I have long noticed how much clearer I appear in my vision compared to everyone, and that must simply be because of my deep connection to the Aego.

As a Leviathan, my existence is simply more defined.

’The only thing I am not fully sure of is what these threads do...’ I sigh, looking at the three kinds of threads that I have access to.

They must involve my three Fragmented Conceptions.

’Tracing, Frontflow, and Clairvoyance, huh? Which is which?’ I wonder quietly, also drawing all the meaning from Lady Anastasia’s words. ’Tracing belongs to the Leaper Pathway. Frontflow belongs to the Exemplar Pathway, and Clairvoyance belongs to the Seeker Pathway.’

Honestly, who is that woman?

This is the first time I’m actually thinking about her in the real world, but now I remember our two encounters, including those horrifying beasts beyond the Observatory.

"Guh!" The moment I think of their grotesque appearance, a terrible headache assails me.

I quickly caution myself.

It’s just as Lady Anastasia said—there are things one cannot even dream of comprehending, and seeing those things will be sure to bring only madness.

I have to be careful with my thoughts from this point forward, else it could be dangerous.

’Is this what happened to Zarius? Did he see what he wasn’t meant to?’

This can only remain a thought buried deep within me.

At least... for now.

"You will need to answer some questions once you make a substantial recovery. I hope you can understand, Sir Javier." The doctor’s thoughts break me from my reverie, and I find myself nodding without thinking.

But, now that I think of it—the whole situation—I feel awful.

A sick sensation assails me.

’So many people actually died...’ I sigh, staring emptily at the world with a solemn expression on my rigid face.

I only have Uncle Damon as the last family member I am close to.

As for friends, only the ones I made at the Academy remain, though, with how much I ignored them during my moment of grief, I can only imagine how many of them still consider me as one.

Then, there’s Leon... my aide.

With how the Royal Family revoked the Aditi Household of its title, I can reckon that most of my connections have become useless.

I can always make new ones, so that doesn’t bother me too much.

But—

’What will the Royal Family do to me now? I disobeyed orders and entered the restricted zone, so there should be consequences, right? And what exactly do I tell Duke Ravenwood regarding what happened to his daughter and son?’

How do I explain such an unbelievable occurrence to everyone?

As a Leviathan, perhaps I can simply show them my power and let them witness it with their own two eyes.

But... even I do not know the true nature of my Fragmented Conceptions.

How do they operate? What are their limitations? I still hold no clue regarding any of them.

’Plus, publicly revealing myself as a Leviathan will be dangerous if it exposes me to fellow Leviathans who either see me as a threat or wish to collaborate with me...’

Based on my experience, most Leviathans don’t seem to be good people. Of course, Lady Anastasia is an exception to this, but even now, I still don’t know anything about her and what her intentions are when it comes to helping me.

Zarius was an evil being, and the Leviathan he encountered was just as deplorable.

If I use those two as a metric, it’s clear I should avoid any encounter with Leviathans, at least until I figure out more about my abilities and the true state of the world.

I’m only a Witness Harbinger—at the bottom of the food chain in the world of Leviathans.

If I encounter a Disciple, or someone of a higher Rank, I’d be nothing but a worm in front of them, helpless the same way Zarius was to that Rank 2 Leaper he encountered. To keep myself safe, as well as protect the few people left that I care about, it’s better to keep my identity secret.

As for how to explain the situation... I’ll figure something out.

"Thank you, doctor," I speak calmly to the elderly man before me. "Is there anything else—?"

"Where is that bastard?! Is this where he is hiding?!"

Before I finish speaking, I hear a loud noise from outside my medical ward.

The expression on the doctor turns pale, and even I feel my chest tighten the moment I recognize the voice. At that point, it’s too late, though, as a young man charges into the room with an ugly expression on his arrogant face.

It’s none other than Julian Ravenwood—Serena’s husband, Dahlia’s younger brother, and most importantly... Duke Marcus Ravenwood’s son.

"You bastard!"

He charges at me with a deep glare as his bloodshot eyes bulge with unquestionable passion.

The doctor rushes to stop him, but he shoves the elderly man aside and approaches me with what I can only describe as murderous intent.

"Because of you, my sister and brother are dead. Father experienced a stroke when he heard the news and hasn’t recovered since. You wrench... It’s been a whole week, and you just finally decided to wake up, huh?!"

A week...

So this is January, in a brand new year.

’Looks like I lived to see the new year...’ A warm smile forms on my face.

"You bastard!" Julian yells out with pure anger. "How dare you smile? You’re dead!"

I sigh.

It’s all a misunderstanding.

But, to be honest, I am in no mood to explain anything to this man.

When the authorities show up, I will cooperate with them. But, afterwards, I do hope that I will be given the consideration to properly grieve my family and friends, giving them a proper funeral befitting their status in my heart.

This has been a very dark period in my life, but how can I not smile? The world, despite its ugliness and evil, remains beautiful in my functional right eye.

Even as a Leviathan, that hasn’t changed.

Why...?

Why do I still smile despite how cruel life has been to me, and how devastated my world has become after all the tragedies that have befallen me?

Well... it is because life has also provided me with something of comfort.

A thought—a mere possibility.

’The Leviathans control the world through time. My regression was likely caused by a Leviathan, and I have now become one myself. If I persevere, just as Lady Anastasia told me, and advance in this world, uncovering its mysteries hidden within it... is it not possible to find a way to return to the past once more and save my family?’

Nothing is impossible to a man who has chosen to bear hope in his heart.

I have regressed once.

Doing it again is certainly something that can happen.

’Seeing as the chance exists, I will pursue it.’

A way to undo my mistakes, saving my family and all of those who perished because of my hubris—that is the path I have chosen to walk from this moment forth.

As a Leviathan—as Javier Aditi.

***************

[A Few Months Later...]

It’s Late March, and the students of the Royal Academy laugh and talk among themselves as they enter the Orientation Hall for their first-ever lecture in the prestigious institute that they all gained admission into.

The fresh breeze of Spring fills the air, and the atmosphere radiates vibrancy.

Naturally, as a result of their noble statuses and unique backgrounds, special groups have already formed. Members of respective cliques stay within the confines of their caucus and engage in discussions, but if one looks closely, it isn’t difficult to find a few loners who are on their own.

Hundreds of these students file into the vast auditorium.

"Did you hear? A new Professor will be taking this Orientation." One of the students says, initiating a series of discourse that spans multiple groups.

Before long, many of these new students join in, their youthful chatter filling the vast hall.

"How fitting, since we’re also First Years."

"But shouldn’t a more experienced person handle this? That has been the tradition for as long as I can remember..."

"Hehe! But I hear this Professor broke traditions during his time in the Royal Academy."

"Yeah! Despite being from a Knight Household, he was actually awarded three Royal Seals of Excellence and graduated as Valedictorian of his set."

"Pfft! What kind of classmates did he have? They actually let someone like that exceed them?"

"Maybe their set was filled with dullards."

"Right? Why is such a man given such a position in this prestigious institute?"

"Regardless, he broke the record of this Academy, established a Club that is still in existence to date, and graduated as a First Rate Scholar. He deserves our respect."

"But why was he appointed as a Senior Professor? He doesn’t even have a University Degree as an Erudite Scholar, and he has no experience in the Education field!"

"Don’t forget he was also recognized as the Hero of our Randalorion Kingdom. He overcame a Cadre 5 Magivore, and just a few months ago, he survived that horrid Deep Winter Massacre. His accomplishments are immense!"

"How does that translate to being a practicing Scholar?"

"Why not wait and see?"

"I guess...."

Among the smiles and frowns, there are some among the students who sing his praises, while others have skeptical looks.

There are those who already despise this man, while others look up to him.

Irrespective of their opinions, one thing remains evident—they all look forward to his arrival.

Then...

A soft clacking sound echoes in the theater, and all the students fall silent per the Randalorion Code of Nobility.

They all stare at the one who enters the hall with dignified grace.

His long, raven black hair sways gently, and his light olive skin glistens with prestige. His face has an eyepatch strapped on it, which covers his left eye. His exposed right eye is deep gray, and it calmly depicts the vicissitudes of life

He wears a deep purple scholarly robe, with gold embroidered designs giving it an air of magnificence. Beneath is a fine waistcoat of a slightly lighter color, accompanied by a clean white shirt and a black tie. His trousers match the waistcoat, and the color of his polished shoes bears a stark resemblance to the tie.

Everything about his apparel is regal, strikingly majestic.

Yet, there is a humility in it.

No flashiness or excess can be felt from his appearance, and his gentle demeanor as he enters the hall radiates with such warmth that it reaches everyone present.

This Senior Professor walks to the podium and stands behind his lectern.

He casts his gaze on the world before him.

Then, he parts his lips and gives everyone a warm introduction with a complex smile etched on his handsome face.

"My name is Javier Aditi, Senior Professor here at the Royal Academy of Randalorion..."

It was a bright smile.

A gentle smile, borne from a heart filled with much hope.

"... Let us begin."

[End of Volume 1: In The Pursuit Of Freedom]