470 On the Table and Into the Cabin, The Gifts that Bathala Gave Everyone (1/2)

Day ▋▋ - ▋▋:▋▋ ▋▋ - Underground Crystal Basin, Unknown Dimension

Mark held the two crystals that Bathala returned to him. He never expected that he would receive such gifts.

And the most crucial part was that the contents of the crystal for him. It addressed the side effects caused by consuming more than one [Mental Crystals] or when consuming one despite having an existing Psychic Ability.

Like what happened when Freed finally gave his Psychic Ability to him, he lost both his Emphatic Ability and that random Clairvoyance for some time.

Did it mean that he could consume any Psychic Ability as he wanted?

However, before he grew complacent, Bathala spoke.

”Although I gave that to you, you shan't be greedy. Usually, it was as you experienced. People who gained new Psychic Powers from an outside source would need to adapt. They needed to consolidate the already existing and recently attained Psychic Ability. It will lead to being unable to use both Psychic Abilities for some time until the consolidation finished.”

Everyone attentively listened to the Old Man. After all, they never heard about this. And by how it was addressed to Mark, he definitely experienced something like this.

”And that Crystal,” Bathala continued. ”It will allow you to be able to use your existing abilities even though you are undergoing that period of consolidation. However, it will only allow you to use the portion that already consolidated.”

”Then, when I consume another one, I will still get weakened?”

Mark asked.

”That is better than not being able to use anything.”

Bathala shrugged.

”It may be disrespectful, but why can't you just make something that will finish the consolidation instantly?”

Amihan asked.

Bathala threw a gentle gaze at her and smiled bitterly.

”There is no perfect remedy for everything. Even medicine had its side effects. If the solution for poverty is hard work, it will drain your mind and body in the process. If the advancement of technology is the remedy for the rough life of people in the past, it made the present people lazy and dumb. Even if I, a former God, tried to address things, it will not always be perfect because of other factors.”

The Old Man looked at the crystal on Mark's hand.

”As for that crystal, the factor for that is not my limited ability, but the property of the person's Soul, Mind, and Body. A Psychic, no, even other Magical Abilities, it is rooted in the Soul, controlled by the Mind, and stored in the Body. The consolidation is the whole process of the body to adapt. If that is skipped entirely, the person will end up dying. Your Soul will be raptured, the Mind will be Broken, and the Body will Explode.”

Hearing that, everyone shivered as they looked at Mark.

”You are lucky that the crystals are made not to kill. I think you already know that.”

This time, everyone understood. Growing your own power was safer, and acquiring what you did not have had its own risks.

Then, Bathala said an awful truth.

”This is also why we, the Gods of the Past, are given specific titles. It is because we can't just acquire any other ability just because we wanted to. If we undergo that period of consolidation, it will be very fatal for us. I was a God of Creation because I can create things. The Gods of War are called that because they can only use their abilities to fight. The Gods of Fire only can control fire. Although it is not impossible, it is extremely rare for Gods to have two or more specialties. If we got greedy and ended up not being able to use our abilities, not only that the worship of people to us would lessen, but those other gods that wanted to replace us will use that opportunity.”

Hearing that, Mark wanted to ask the Old Man a question. Since the other Gods were also not around, they could take the opportunity to gain new abilities. But then, he refrained as he realized the answer. Bathala might be able to create a new ability, but it would not be something at the level of Gods. The only way was to snatch the abilities of other Gods, but they were not present at all.

And the worst part for it was the time that the consolidation ended.

What happened to him back then was a worldwide phenomenon. If it happened to a God, it might cause a large scale catastrophe. And worse, the Observer would find them.

”Well then, our fateful meeting will end soon. I can't take all of you away for too long, or that Observer will be able to trace where this place is. In any case, let me give all of you some things as gifts for crossing paths.”

Bathala said with a bitter smile.

With a flick of his wand, several items appeared in front of everyone. Each item then flew towards the members of Mark's group.

Mark and Alana already received theirs. And thus, the items were for the others.

Mei received an intricate box made of rosewood. However, the items inside were precious things. There as a pair of metal rings inlaid with intricate patterns. This gift obviously included Mark as Mei would surely have no reason to wear a pair. Sure enough, it was a pair of magical Couple Rings. The rings, as long as it was filled with energy, would allow the owner of the rings to teleport instantly beside each other.

Iola, Abbygale, and Miracle each received different colored balls of stone. At first, it seemed odd, and the little girls felt a bit disappointed. However, hearing what the balls of stone were, the three did not want to let go of it. The three balls were actually cores. It was used as a heart for living dolls. Golems in the magical sense.

Terremillio and his wives also received things. Being a prince, Teremillio received a crown that would enhance his abilities.

Felenia also received the same, but with a different design and more of a feminine one.

The second wife, Dathlia, who was more of a plant manipulator, received a wand made of magical vines.

Malaya received a coronet similar to the one Mark got from the Infected Princess of the pixies.

Angis received a crystal stringed instrument.

Daniya, the golden-haired Bukaw, actually received a coconut fruit. However, everyone knew that it was not a normal one when they saw her hugging that large fruit as if afraid that it would be taken away.

And for Reilynne, the Pixie, and Kokoro, the Koropokkuru, the two received a crystal ball for some reason. The two could not understand what the crystal balls were. But when they learned what was the crystal balls are for, they almost teared up.

Space Crystals, that was what these crystal balls were called. Shattering it would open a portal that would lead to the place imprinted in the crystal. In this case, these crystals would open a portal to the respective homes of the two.

The two who were lost in another country because of the accidents they had been through, could finally go home.

However, they were not that happy. The Crystals were one use and the portal would only be opened for a short time. Their new family was here and if they used the crystals, they would be able to return here.

But then, Mark looked at Bathala as he realized the Old Man's purpose. Bathala was trying to bind this odd group of Spirit Races to his group. It was true that the crystals were one-use items. But if they let Spera into the portal, the problem was solved. In that way, however, two of Teremillio's wives would not be able to do anything but rely on Mark as Spera's Master.

Pefile, on the other hand, was staring at the thing given to him in shock. He was speechless. It was a wooden medallion that looked like nothing but a trinket. Tracing the marks on the medallion, however, anyone would feel unique energy.