NOVEL WEB Chapter 29: Unexpected Solace
Ethan's POV
As I began my narration, my mind raced frantically, combing through my memories for a way to obscure the truth about the Eternal Eclipse Ascension Art.
The art's profundity and unparalleled value made it a dangerous secret to possess, and I couldn't risk revealing it to anyone.
If the dragoness discovered its existence, she might kill me to claim its secrets or worse enslave me using her unimaginable abilities.
Moreover, I had no plausible explanation for how I came to possess such a treasure.
From what little I understood, this art was far beyond anything found in little worlds, and I assumed that its origin laid from the lofty Great Worlds which the demon face had described.
I narrated my ordeal with care, revealing enough to make my story believable while tactically altering key details.
For instance, I claimed that the demon had protected me during my teleportation, leaving me with only minor injuries.
When I reached the part about my awakening ceremony, a sudden idea struck me, and I immediately incorporated it into my tale.
"After I regained consciousness in that remote cave, I encountered the demon," I began, maintaining a calm and earnest tone.
"It claimed to be an ancient spirit bound to my demonic bloodline. It transferred the family's ascension art into my memories."
I paused briefly for effect before continuing,
"But the spirit dissipated soon after, saying that its purpose was fulfilled, and its lifespan and energy had come to an end.
When I began building my mana veins using the art, I noticed something strange. Only the first layer and the ascension method to the Elemental Sea Realm were accessible to me. The rest was obscured, shrouded in an impenetrable fog."
I hesitated, then delivered the most critical lie with unwavering confidence, "It was called the Nightmare Dream Ascension Technique."
The words left my lips with practiced ease, my expression betraying nothing. Inwardly, however, I was desperately seeking help from the Eternal Nexus, praying it would assist in solidifying my fabrication.
I hoped it had absorbed the demon face's essence when it eradicated it, perhaps gaining access to this art.
"Its ascension requirements demanded a strong catalyst to serve as an energy source," I continued with a bitter smile,
"So, I ventured into the dark forest, choosing a random direction since I was unfamiliar with this region. By chance, I stumbled upon this Ebonspire Peak with dense dark energy and decided to search for my opportunity here."
Taking a steadying breath, I concluded my tale, careful not to overplay or understate my position.
But as I finished, a familiar voice echoed in my mind. It was the spirit Auralis Prime, and its timely words sent a wave of relief to my strained nerves.
[Successor has availed the request for the Nightmare Dream Ascension Technique. To help the successor grow stronger and eventually aid in fulfilling my mission, the art will be granted.]
[Nightmare Dream Ascension Technique: An ascension method created by the Ancient Dreamshroud Devil Emperor of the Hell Spire Great World.
It became the foundation of the Lucent Void Clan through successive generations. This art is suitable only for pure-blooded devils. Mixed-blood practitioners may encounter significant challenges at advanced stages and are thus discouraged from practicing it.
However, the successor's devil bloodline allows limited use of its secret arts without adverse backlash.]
The spirit's words clarified some things, but some parts left me in confusion. Questions swirled in my mind but I decided to address them later.
For now, I remained composed, silently grateful for this fortuitous development.
She remained silent for what felt like an eternity.
Her golden eyes stared at me, unreadable, as if weighing something in her mind. Then, in an instant, she was standing directly in front of me, so close that I could feel the faint heat of her presence.
Her expression had softened into something I could scarcely believe—pity. Gently, she cupped my cheeks in her hand, her voice low and uncharacteristically tender.
"Oh, you poor thing," she murmured. "I didn't realize you were separated from your mother at such a young age... or how you managed to survive all alone in this unforgiving forest."
I blinked in disbelief, utterly unprepared for the sudden shift in her demeanour. Before I could process her words, she did something that left me completely stunned.
She pulled me into an embrace, wrapping her arms around me and holding my head close to her chest. I was still smaller than her so I directly collided with her chest.
I froze in place, my mind reeling. Her armour was gone, replaced by a loose, flowing magical robe that carried a faint, soothing warmth.
The sensation of her soft body pressed against mine was overwhelming. I could feel her heartbeat, steady and strong, and the unexpected comfort made my thoughts scatter like leaves in the wind.
"Don't worry, little Ethan," she said, her voice gentle. "You can stay here with me until you're grown. You'll be safe here."
Her words struck a chord deep within me, stirring emotions I hadn't felt in years. It had been three long, gruelling years of solitude and hardship.
I had buried thoughts of closeness and comfort, forcing myself to grow numb to the ache of loneliness to survive and grow stronger to find my way back home.
But in this moment, her unexpected kindness reminded me of my Mama.
A lump formed in my throat, and despite my best efforts, my eyes grew misty. I fought back the tears, unwilling to let her see me cry.
I didn't want her to laugh or mock me, though her current demeanour suggested she might not.
For now, I allowed myself to let go of my guard, leaning into the embrace. Her hand gently patted my head, and I rested against her as she held me close.
For a fleeting moment, all the tension, fear, and uncertainty that had weighed me down seemed to melt away.