209 Changes (1/2)
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”The first chapter of the [Book of Chaos] is focused on transformation.” Raven murmured, ”As long as I cultivate this chapter, I'll eventually experience transformation for nine times in total. The book referred to it as the 9 Metamorphosis Stages.”
”The first to third metamorphosis is focused on the body. The first stage discards the remaining impurities inside my body, external and internal. The second stage will discard my old blood and cleanse my marrows, making my blood vitality shoot through the roof. It is also said that there is a small chance that I could awaken or infuse a bloodline in this process but that's very unlikely to happen. As for the third stage, it discards my old bones, replacing them with a more durable and denser ones.”
”Fourth to sixth stages focuses on my energy body, more specifically my Energy Network. During these stages, my original Energy Network will be transformed. It will then replace my blood vessels, veins and arteries, which means that aside from blood, my Chaos Force will flow along them.”
”Seventh to ninth stages will unify my soul into my body. In the consummate level of this technique, I will be a different man. I will be a perfect unity of body, energy and spirit. I can hardly wait.”
Raven sighed as he remunerate on the path before him. Exploring this new path brought an immense excitement to him. Of course, he knows that this path won't be easy. There is a hazard in cultivating this technique since one wrong step will lead to his death. But his determination to reach the top is greater than the fear he felt.
”It seems that the tricks that I've learn before are still usable. Only, instead of energies, it uses up Chaos Force.”
”That being said though, there are more changes that I'm surprised about. One is my ocular technique.” Raven said as his eyes flared with a brilliant gold hue. Instantly, his perspective changed and now he could see a detailed view of everything around 150 meters around him. Each blade of grass, every stone, every insects, he could see them with a glaring clarity. If he wished to, it will only take a moment of focus in order for his vision to fully penetrate any obstruction, therefore seeing the composition or through it.
He could also feel that this isn't the full extent of this ocular technique, his instincts told him that he's just barely scratching the surface.
”I'm not even sure if this was the one I received from the Crown. This isn't the way how the old one works, this one is clearly better. What's more is that I could feel that this technique grows with me. How come, though? Is this because of that dream?”
Raven was honestly confused but the fact that his ocular technique is different remains. ”I'll call this [Crystal Sky Eyes] for now. I'll do some more experiments later.”
”As for the other change…” Raven trailed off, he sank his perception onto his Chaos Core and his consciousness arrived a different place.
There he stood in an empty space, facing a scene that could take anyone's breath away. He was standing before a huge sun-like orb. It radiated no heat and only an mysterious beauty. It shone with a dark golden light. On its surface Raven could see some grains of rainbow colored sands freely roaming around the whole orb. There also at least three belts wrapping around the sun-like orb which contained mysterious golden sands.
”What in the world are you?” Raven breathlessly asked, captivated by this scene. He had never seen anything like this before. He had tried going closer to it or communicating with using his Chaos Force but it was fruitless. He will either walk in place, unable to reach it or receive nothing in return.
”Forget it, I'll just ask Inos about it the next time we meet.” Raven sighed and disappeared from there.
***
”Holy shit, Dude!” Paul exclaimed after seeing Raven. ”What in the god damn world happened?! How did you become this dashing?”
Who could blame him? It hasn't even been a week since they last met and then suddenly Raven experienced some heavenly changes in his appearance.
At first, they weren't able to recognize him, but as soon as he came closer, there's no denying that it was Raven through and through.
”I took a bath.” Raven jeered, ”You should do the same, who knows what might happen.”
His joke elicited a laugh from the rest. Paul cringed and said: ”I do that everyday, but nothing happens Dude! What gives?”
”Oh, then there's nothing I can do to help. Sorry, Dude.” Raven laughed as he sat with them.
”Gosh Avi! You were already handsome before but now you're even handsomer! Do you plan on seducing all maidens of the kingdom.” Ellen shamelessly commented on the side.