Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 257

Chapter 257: Champions Spirits II

“It’s beautiful, but what Spirit is it exactly?” Myne asked, her eyes still locked onto the radiant sword.

[White Celestial Sword, along with the Black Celestial Sword, is the Champion Spirit symbolizing Gemini,] Nexus explained, her gaze shifting to Aiden.

“But I only have this sword,” Aiden replied, glancing down at the glowing blade, confused by her explanation.

[That’s impossible,] Nexus exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. [There should be two—White and Black—not just one. The Celestial Swords are the only known dual Champion Spirit of the Gemini constellation.]

Aiden frowned, gripping the hilt of the White Celestial Sword tighter. “But I can feel it. There’s no other presence, just this one sword.”

Nexus stared at him, her expression a mixture of shock and concern. [Something isn’t right… the Champion Spirit can’t be incomplete. There must be a reason why the Black Celestial Sword is missing.]

Myne, still in awe of the sword’s beauty, glanced at Nexus. “Do you think something happened during his breakthrough? Could that have affected the Spirit’s manifestation?”

[It’s possible,] Nexus said, her tone now laced with uncertainty. [The Champion Spirits don’t just disappear. If the Black Celestial Sword isn’t here, it could be sealed, lost, or… perhaps it hasn’t awakened yet.]

Aiden, feeling the weight of their words, nodded slowly. “So I’m incomplete then? I need to find the Black Celestial Sword if I want to truly embody the Gemini Spirit?”

[Yes,] Nexus confirmed, her voice steady. [Without both, you’ll never fully unlock the power of the Champion Spirit.]

“Maybe it’s for the best,” Myne said, trying to bring out some good news. “Without the complete Champion Spirit, he won’t get the Mark of the Champion, right?”

[It doesn’t work that way,] Nexus replied with a somber tone. [Since he has awakened the Champion Spirit, whether it’s complete or not, he will still bear the mark.]

Aiden’s heart sank a little hearing this, and Myne’s attempt to lighten the situation faded as Nexus continued.

[This means,] Nexus added, [he will now have to go through the trials with an incomplete Champion Spirit. The journey will be much harder, as he lacks the full power of the Gemini constellation.]

Aiden clenched his fists. “So I’m at a disadvantage from the start?”

[Yes,] Nexus said softly. [But this is also an opportunity. If you manage to overcome the trials with just one half of your Spirit, it will make you far stronger than anyone could expect. However, it won’t be easy.]

Aiden replied grumbly “yes, the same Protagonist privileges'”

[Yes,] Nexus repeated with a soft smile. [The same “protagonist privileges.”]

Aiden rolled his eyes playfully. “Great, just what I always wanted. Endless trials in exchange for ‘growth.'”

Nexus and Myne both chuckled, unable to hold back their amusement, and their laughter quickly spread to Aiden. Soon, all three were laughing together, the tension from the earlier conversation dissipating in the moment of shared humor.

“Well,” Aiden said through his laughter, “at least I won’t be bored anytime soon.”

[That’s the spirit,] Nexus grinned. [After all, what’s life without a little chaos?]

“Too much chaos,” Aiden corrected, still smiling.

As the laughter died down, Aiden stood up, his expression becoming more serious.

“Alright, let’s get down to business. If I’m going to deal with these trials and this ‘Champion’ business, I need to know what I’m up against. What exactly are these trials? And how do I get the other half of my Champion Spirit?”

Nexus’ face turned thoughtful, [The trials vary depending on the Champion. Each test is meant to challenge both your mind and body, pushing you to your limits. As for the other half of your Champion Spirit—the Black Celestial Sword—that part is trickier.]

“What do you mean?” Aiden asked, furrowing his brow.

[It’s missing,] Nexus explained. [It didn’t awaken with the White Celestial Sword, which means either it’s locked away somewhere deep within you, or it’s out there in the world waiting to be found.]

“Great, so I’m supposed to go on a scavenger hunt for my own Martial Spirit?” Aiden sighed, rubbing his temples.

[It’s not all bad,] Myne added with a reassuring smile. [Having to earn the other half means you’ll understand its power more completely. It will be yours, not something simply handed to you.]

“Yeah, yeah,” Aiden muttered. “Protagonist logic again. Earn everything the hard way.”

[You’ll manage,] Nexus said, her voice softening. [You’ve already overcome so much.]

Aiden took a deep breath, trying to absorb the weight of everything they’d just discussed. “Alright, where do we start?”

“Let’s start by seeing your Mark,” Myne said, her tone playful as she eyed Aiden eagerly.

Aiden glanced over at Nexus, noticing the same excitement in her eyes. With a sigh, he rolled his eyes at their enthusiasm.

“The Mark’s on my hand,” he said, holding it up. “No need to get too excited about it.”

Myne and Nexus exchanged amused glances, clearly excited despite Aiden’s attempt to downplay the situation.

“Come on, show us!” Myne urged with a playful grin, her eyes sparkling.

Aiden sighed and raised his right hand, turning his palm up to reveal the mark. As he did, a faint glow emerged from his skin, and a shimmering symbol appeared—a brilliant constellation of stars shaped like twin swords, one white and the other black, though the black one was only half-formed.

“Whoa…” Myne whispered, her playful attitude replaced with genuine awe. “It’s… beautiful.”

Nexus leaned in closer, her analytical gaze scanning the mark. [It’s incomplete, just like the Champion Spirit itself. But it’s still an incredibly powerful symbol.]

Aiden glanced at his hand, the weight of responsibility settling over him. “So this is it, huh? My fate as one of the Champion Kings.”

[Hmm, it seems we don’t have much to worry about. Since the Mark is incomplete as well, it means your trials will be of lower difficulty,] Nexus said, rubbing her chin as she examined the Mark.

Aiden nodded and sighed in relief. “Finally, some good news.”

Myne nodded in agreement before adding, “Alright, let’s put the Champion Spirit stuff aside for now. Let’s go and save the children.”

“Yes, now it’s time to make the Red Hand… dead,” Aiden muttered to himself as he exited his personal dimension, emerging from the Secret Realm.

He glanced around, his eyes narrowing as he focused on his target. “Dimensional Move,” he whispered under his breath. In an instant, Aiden vanished from his spot, reappearing high above the Red Hand’s base—the one he’d scouted before retreating for training.

Hovering silently in the air, Aiden observed the enemy stronghold below. His gaze was cold as if he is looking at the dead people not alive ones.

Inside the most elaborate and advanced building of the Red Hand’s base, an old man sat meditating, his presence dominating the room. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and a cold sweat rolled down his neck. A large bead of perspiration formed on his forehead as he swallowed hard, his heart racing.

“Why is there such a presence above…?” the old man muttered, his voice trembling.

This was no ordinary man—he was a Saint, one whose dark methods Nexus had sensed earlier. The room around him looked like a scene of utter carnage. Bloodstains covered the floor and walls, and if anyone were to enter, they’d likely vomit from the stench of death. His cultivation method was as cruel as it was unnatural. The old man had been consuming the lives of the young, absorbing their life force and talents to extend his own dwindling years.

The old man, having vanished from his room, appeared before Aiden. Despite his appearance as a frail, bald man with a bushy beard, black eyes, and red pupils, his presence was formidable. He had mastered Space laws to advance to the Saint stage, a clear indication of his strength and control over the space element.

As he saw Aiden, his initial reaction was one of surprise. Aiden’s youthful appearance was unexpected for someone of such immense power. Despite this, the old man composed himself and bowed his head respectfully.

“Esteemed one, welcome to my city,” he said, his voice carrying a mixture of deference and curiosity.

Inwardly, the old man assessed Aiden and realized he was not sent by higher-ups. The pure white Saint energy emanating from Aiden contrasted sharply with his own dark, demonic aura. This indicated that Aiden was an orthodox Saint, not a demonized one like himself.

The old man, realizing the gravity of his situation, kept himself bowed before Aiden, mentally relieved that he had sealed away his demonic aura.

“Can you explain why there is a demonic aura erupting from your city?” Aiden’s voice was cold and demanding.

The old man’s eyes widened in horror as he attempted to flee, only to find that he couldn’t teleport away. “You’re also a Space Saint?” he gasped in disbelief.

“Yes, your limited comprehension will never match mine,” Aiden replied, tightening his grip around the old man with his spatial power. He then destroyed the old man’s physical body and captured his soul.

Holding the demonic Saint’s soul, Aiden said, “Don’t worry, I won’t kill you, but you’ll experience the same suffering you inflicted on your victims.” His tone was cold and merciless, reflecting his disdain for the old man’s cannibalistic practices.