Chapter 137: For Divinity!
Azel had wondered for a while what he would give his little sister.
As a good senior, whenever you returned from an outing, you had to bring something for your junior.
At least... that’s what his older sister had always done for him.
She used to shower him with little gifts — tokens from her travels, things that made him feel remembered even when she wasn’t there.
So, when he had purchased it earlier, he picked thoughtfully. His sister deserved something meaningful.
It turned out to be a necklace.
But not a normal one.
The silver chain gleamed faintly under the soft glow of the mansion’s lanterns.
In its center was a jewel, crystalline yet faintly fluid in appearance, as though water itself had been captured and made still.
[Item Name: Necklace of Purity]
[Item Rank: A]
[Item Description: The jewel in the center of the necklace has been forged from a crystal that lay submerged in water brimming with ancient magic for a thousand years. It drank in purity with every drop, absorbing light and clarity until it could no longer be separated from the flow of mana itself. When worn, the necklace will draw the cleanest threads of magic from the air, filtering away the dross, leaving only crystal-clear energy to enter the body.]
’At least,’ Azel thought, ’it would help her gather mana with less strain.’
A gift that would grow with her.
"Yes," he murmured, studying the piece one last time. "A good necklace."
Ellie’s eyes sparkled as she took it from his hand.
Without hesitation, she looped it around her neck.
The chain fit perfectly, as though it had been made for her.
The moment the jewel settled against her chest, it glowed faintly.
A ripple of energy washed through her, fresh and invigorating.
Her lips curved into a wide smile. "Thanks, big brother."
The words were simple, but her tone carried a warmth that struck deep.
She gave him a cute, almost mischievous grin before grabbing his arm and dragging him along with the rest toward the dining hall.
...
They were at the lunch table soon after.
The hall was vast, long enough to seat dozens comfortably, though today only the core family and closest allies gathered.
The table overflowed with dishes: roasted beast, freshly baked bread, vegetables simmered in herb broth, and fish seasoned to perfection.
His mother and the maids had truly gone overboard.
Diana, his mother, was somehow managing the impossible — feeding him and Lillia at the same time.
She used her right hand to spoon food into his mouth and her left to carefully feed the younger girl.
It was a sight both comical and strangely touching.
"Eat well," Diana said, her tone equal parts stern and doting.
Then she turned her gaze to the rest of the Furious Five and even Edna, who sat quietly at the edge of the table.
Medusa and Anya were present as well, they were eating as she instructed. "The rest of you, eat well too."
"Yes ma’am," came the unified response.
Satisfied, Diana gave herself a happy little "hmph" as she promptly shoved another bite of fish into Azel’s mouth.
He tried to chew gracefully, but it was difficult under her relentless pace.
"Brother," Ellie suddenly spoke up, her voice muffled as she rubbed her cheek against her hand.
Her hair, neatly combed earlier, was already messy again.
She had a habit of scratching or rubbing her head while eating, and order never lasted long with her.
She looked at him with innocent eyes. "Sister Veyra said you’ve gotten pretty strong. Is that true?"
Azel paused, a bit startled by the bluntness.
Across the table, Veyra arched a brow.
"Hey, are you saying I’m lying?" Her tone carried mock offense, though her eyes twinkled with amusement.
"Nooo..." Ellie shook her head rapidly, clutching the necklace at her throat.
Its faint glow reflected in her eyes. "I just wanted to confirm."
She was attached to it, after all, it was proof that her brother cared.
Proof that he thought of her.
She had showed it to everyone already and it made Azel blush.
"Yes, I have," Azel answered, a prideful smile creeping onto his lips.
He barely got the words out before Diana shoved another forkful of fish into his mouth.
"Don’t talk while you’re eating, son," she said flatly, her expression unyielding.
Azel choked slightly, swallowing hard before sighing.
There was no winning against his mother.
"I want to confirm it," a deep voice rumbled.
The table stilled.
All heads turned toward Azariah. Even Azel paused, blinking in surprise.
"Finish eating your food first, dear," Diana said dismissively, as though her husband’s words carried no more weight than a child’s complaint.
In any other household, such a tone toward a Patriarch might have been shocking.
Here? Perfectly normal.
They were all battle junkies, and Diana knew exactly how to keep them grounded.
Azariah, however, was not to be delayed.
He scooped up the remainder of his food, downed it in a single swallow, and slammed the plate down with a clatter.
"Training room. When you’re done."
Without waiting for a reply, he stood and strode from the hall, his massive frame radiating anticipation.
’Well I wanted to ask for one sooner or later but still... is everything suddenly going in my way?’
However...
’My goddess... you said if I spar with him, you’d grant me more divinity?’
Azariah’s thought of the spar was of coruse a request from the goddess.
[Yes. About two percent, if you’re willing.]
His heart skipped.
Two percent might not sound like much to anyone else who didn’t know the value of divinity, but for him, it was enormous.
’Your wish is my command, my goddess!’ he answered eagerly as he moved to the training room.
...
The training room awaited.
The atmosphere was similar to when Dante and Azel had fought just days before, though this time the stakes were different.
There were no grudges or anyone trying to kill the other.
This was father and son — a friendly spat, at least on the surface.
Everyone gathered to watch.
Edna sat closer to the front, hands folded neatly in her lap but her gaze never leaving Azel.
For a moment, silence reigned.
Then Julius’s voice broke it. "Patriarch sir! Please kick his ass!"
Laughter rippled through the room.
Even Azariah chuckled, a booming sound as he reached up and slipped off his robe.
His muscles rippled beneath the light and well he was a titan in human form, a living testament to strength.
Azel, unfazed, rolled up his sleeves.
He looked smaller in comparison, leaner, but his eyes held a spark that mirrored his father’s.
"Since this is a friendly battle, you’ll both use regular bone swords," Veyra announced, stepping forward.
Her voice carried authority, as though she were officiating a sacred rite.
With a flick of her wrist, she tossed one weapon to each of them.
Azariah caught his easily, but the moment his fingers closed around it, a sharp crack echoed through the room.
The blade splintered, then crumbled into dust in his grip.
For a long second, everyone stared.
Azariah turned to Veyra, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips.
He scratched the back of his head with the remnants of the hilt. "Mistake?"
The room erupted into laughter.
’I guess I was too excited.’ He thought as he was thrown another bone sword.