“…Why did you do that?” Gaius stared blankly at Isabelle. “What happened to your common sense? Is that thing even edible? Didn’t you get the idea of like absorbing it? What did it taste like?”

“Master Gaius.” Nexus popped his head out from his clothes. “I think that last question’s entirely irrelevant to the situation at hand.”

“I just felt the urge to eat it,” Isabelle replied a moment later, licking her lips with relish. “Also, it tastes like vanilla ice-cream for some reason.”

“Any changes?” Gaius prompted.

“None I can feel, though,” Isabelle replied. “Maybe I was already changed back then, when I asked Weiwu to bind me to the Abyss?”

Gaius’s mind drifted over to the events a year ago, when Isabelle asked the Chanter of Innocents to tie her to the Crying Abyss. However, now that he looked back, the bond wasn’t between her and the Abyss — it was actually closer to a bond between the two of them.

That would explain why there wasn’t much of a change in her this time.

“I hadn’t thought about that bit,” Gaius confessed. “In that case, what was the point of me plucking that bit out for you?”

“It made a good snack,” Isabelle replied. “Can I have more?”

The two of them exchanged a few more glances, before Gaius hung his head. “I think you already know the answer to that. So? What made you decide to eat it?”

Isabelle shuffled her feet. “Well, there was something inside me that wanted to eat it, and before I knew it, I was already swallowing that ball…”

“Something inside you, huh.” Gaius crossed his arms and thought for a few seconds. “Yes, that seems to be the case. Strengthening your own source with smaller bits. Try to move some power around, and see what comes out.”

Gaius felt his nerves tingle as a strand of grey energy emerged from her hands. “Divinity…”

Xanadu took a step back. “Divinity? How can that be?”

“Does that mean I’m already a Demigod?” Isabelle asked, curious. “I can’t seem to use it well, though.”

Gaius watched as the strand of divinity wriggled randomly, and felt his lips twitch. Divinity could only be produced and employed by a strong Will; Isabelle, who hadn’t honed her ideals and desires to such a point yet, was unable to wield it the same way Gaius did. It was no different from giving a child a huge axe to swing around, as she was right now.

“It’s natural,” Gaius replied. “Do you still remember how Knights and beyond prepared themselves for ascension? They walked the lands and tested their beliefs, honing their will over and over. That’s how they eventually produced their first strand of divinity. For me, my control over divinity grew rapidly as I observed and participated in the war, which served to strengthen my conviction.”

“Conviction, eh?” Isabelle tilted her head. “Well, that does explain why you grew so quickly.”

“Yes,” said Xanadu, who had finally recovered the shocking sight of Isabelle eating a grey blob. “But it’s not like you don’t have a conviction of your own, no? When you’re free, think about your desires for a moment, and see what exactly your wish is.”

Gaius, who had essentially cheated his way to becoming a Demigod, and then an existence on par with the great gods, was in no position to give any advice for the little bits that came naturally to him. Now that he thought about it, though, it was possible that keeping Isabelle and the others at home might have impeded their growth.

“Right, Gaius,” said Nexus, “where did you pull those two balls from? They abruptly appeared in your hand, but I don’t think you took anything from yourself.”

“I just plucked some bits out from the Abyss,” Gaius replied with a sigh, before turning to Isabelle. “You were supposed to take it in slowly, in case anything odd happened. Granted, it’s nearly a hundred percent safe, but still…”

“S-sorry.”

“Tut tut. And to think you keep scolding me about being reckless and everything all the time.” Gaius flicked her nose. “I think eating something like this without any caution is the worst offender of all, right?”

“Well, you gave it to me, so I thought it was safe,” Isabelle replied, a bright smile on her face. “That’s why my instincts took over. Sorry.”

Gaius eyed that bright smile on her face. “You don’t look all that sorry to me, though.”

“Ehe.”

“Don’t do that next time, okay?” Gaius paused at those words. Why did he assume there was a next time?

“Okay.” Isabelle turned to Xanadu. “…I suppose you shouldn’t try to eat that the same way I did, though. Gaius might get really angry.”

“Don’t worry,” Xanadu replied. “Now, you two should really get going. I’m going to need a peaceful atmosphere, since this little bauble is so much closer to my origins. If I’m not careful…”

“Do you need help?” Gaius asked.

“You go and rest, or play with the kids.” Xanadu brushed him off. “Having you in close proximity isn’t going to help at all. We’re too similar in origin that your presence might have an adverse effect on my existence, after all.”

“Got it.” Gaius plucked Nexus out from his clothes. “He’ll watch over you, in case anything happens. That fine with you?”

“Sure, sure. Run along now. The two kids just started another round, and they won’t like it if you two aren’t there to watch their brave exploits,” Xanadu replied. “Shoo, shoo. Enjoy your last moments of peace and quiet with them. My instincts tell me that war is approaching. The final battle is at hand.”

“You can sense it?” Gaius asked, curious. For the past month, he had seen the Five Lands gather at two staging areas — the southernmost end of the Mortal Light Dynasty, as well as the northernmost end of the Southern Continent.

“Vaguely,” Xanadu replied. “Now, be off with you. I can vaguely see a blue light at the screen of darkness?”

“Screen of darkness?” Gaius tilted his head.

“Don’t think too hard about it…”