Abyssal Awakening

After Ria had changed, both Gin and Allura decided to let the two of them figure out how to deal with Allura's latest assignment.

One that'll have them request duels with the Academy's best students and see how they fare.

Their mindset was one where if the two girls performed well, they could rest easy and have them continue their journey. If not, they'll continue to watch over them and delay some plans.

"So we're meant to ask Neal to give us a recommendation right?" Ria asked while juggling some gold coins in her hand. Since Allura and Gin didn't want the two to bribe their way in, they had confiscated most of their money except a handful of gold.

"Mnm. Allura said we should have Neal vouch for us so we can actually challenge them. I suppose if we didn't, they wouldn't give us the time of day." Alice nodded her head as Ria sighed.

"Alright. I think it should be fine since we just have to find the people we fought last time since they can attest to our strength. It might give us an upper hand." Ria shrugged.

Right now, she was wearing a white and red oriental shirt with rope bows on the shoulders and sleeves. A pair of black shorts and black tights with a pair of boots.

Compared to her previous outfit, there were fewer fancy attachments but proved to be easier to move in.

"I think Neal might be a little busy right now though since the fight had just finished and he needs to tally up how many people died and what they can retrieve from the corpses of the beasts right?"

"Meh it'll be fine. It was him who asked us to send a message to Allura and grandfather. Grandfather dealt with the biggest threat so we'll be fine asking him for a favour." Ria shrugged, understanding that if it wasn't for her grandfather or Allura, this city would be wiped off the map by now.

It was also the first time she had seen her grandfather use that much power. Seeing the space shatter and the strange figure from beyond the void staring down at the world, it sent chills down her spine.

She couldn't help but wonder if she'll achieve the same kind of power when she reached the level of an Abyss Lord.

'I wonder if that thing is a resonance or is it some being I need to commune with.' Ria thought to herself but turned her mind to other matters.

Right now, she only had three Sigils. Far too early to be thinking on the level of Abyss Lords, a status that many have spent their entire life trying to achieve only to fall short. The gulf between six Sigils and seven was a gap that only a handful of beings had crossed. And even then, few have achieved 8 or even the fabled 9th Sigil.

"Alice." Ria called out.

"Hm? What is it?"

"What do you think it takes for a person to become a god?" Ria asked, causing Alice to raise an eyebrow.

"Do you mean like… God-like power or 'God' God?"

"Both. Godlike power and a being like the Moon Goddess, Sun God and Eclipse God." Ria explained as Alice fell silent.

With her having spent most of her life in the Zenia prison, she wasn't too sure regarding the status of 'God'. She had heard the term, understood their revered 'omnipotence' to some degree, and knew that they kept each other in check or else one of the Gods would force everyone under their rule.

But to achieve godlike power and status, Alice had no clue.

"Don't know. Never studied up on religion."

"I think the secret lies in what goes beyond the 9th Sigil. You see, we have all of these stories on the 9th Sigil, how it can shatter the land and change the world. But we never hear of the 10th Sigil? Is there nothing beyond the 9th? I doubt it. Because beyond the power of the 9th we hear about Apostles and the Gods themselves." Ria smiled, clearly excited by the prospect of maybe becoming a God.

"So… You think Gods are just very powerful Hunters?"

"No no, they have something that Hunters don't. A divinity that allows them to bless and appoint apostles. But imagine if we could become Gods." Ria laughed as Alice tapped her chin but shook her head.

"I have no use of becoming a God. I think… I'll be satisfied once I deal with my old family."

"That's fair. Honestly, I only have a gripe with the Eclipse cult. If I can weed them out and wipe them from existence, I'll be happy. And if being a God means I can do just that then I'll try and achieve that level of power. Plus, I think it'll be rather cool if I can say to my grandfather that I became a God." Ria grinned, imagining the shock on her grandfather's face.

Hearing this, Alice couldn't help but wonder what Allura would look like if she did the same.

'She said I'm part of her family now… As Alice Agnelia. If I became a God, would she be happy? Then again, I need to sort out the task with Cayla. Kaden planted the eye into me and even though Allura said I didn't need to do it, I want to repay her kindness.'

Allura didn't seem to want Cayla to wake up so soon as it may put into motion events beyond her control, leaving Alice unsure as the stronger she gets, the more active Cayla becomes. It wouldn't be long until she is always awake.

"We're here. Let's hope instructor Neal isn't busy right now." Ria stretched as she pushed open the doors and made her way up to Neal's office after letting the receptionist know.

Knocking on Neal's door, Ria waited for him to call the two of them inside before opening the door.

Sitting behind his desk, Neal looked exhausted as he had just finished fighting but now had to deal with all of the reports and documents he needed to do after the battle.

A brief glance of the document told Alice everything she needed to know as it was profiles on the deceased and extended family.

"How may I help the two of you today?" Neal asked with a small smile. Despite his fatigue, he was patient with the two as it was thanks to them that Gin and Allura actually made a move.

He could remember the power demonstrated by the White Death. Had it not been for Gin, this city would've become history.

"We're here on a small assignment by Allura. She said she wanted us to fight some talented students at the Academy and to have you vouch for us and our capabilities." Alice explained as Neal tapped his fingers for a moment before nodding.

"I see. It's not difficult to do usually. However, thanks to the battle that had just taken place, it's a little hard to schedule anything with the Academy. I know you had some interactions with the special students last time but it's still a gamble on whether or not their professors would allow this. If you want, I can take you to a meeting with them and see if we can do anything.

If not, you'll have to wait until everything is sorted out." Neal smiled bitterly, feeling bad that he couldn't guarantee anything.

Looking at one another, Ria gestured for Alice to do the talking while she stood back since it was Allura's request.

Ria guessed that Allura wanted Alice to become more proactive rather than passive hence it wouldn't be good for her to do all the talking.

Seeing that Ria wasn't planning on giving her input, Alice could only sigh and look at Neal.

Thinking to herself momentarily, she opened her mouth.

"If you can get us a meeting with them it'll be appreciated. I'm sure we'll find a way to request a proper duel with them. I doubt they'll do it for free so I have some rewards if they need. Some Scarlet Powder bombs and one vial of Luna Siren Blood." Alice offered as they were left over from her hunt.

She doubted that she'd need them any time soon so if it can help complete Allura's task then so be it.

"Scarlet Powder Bomb? I'm not sure if the Luna Siren Blood will be helpful as it's a very situational Abyss Blood but I'm surprised you got enough Scarlet Powder for a Scarlet Powder Bomb. Keep that a secret for now and see if you can get a duel without cost. If things start to look bad we can use that for negotiations if you desire." Neal suggested as Alice nodded her head.

"Alright. Then give me a little bit of time since I need to deal with this paperwork. It shouldn't be too long though so you can either use the training rooms or stay at the lobby and wait for me to finish."

Leaving Neal to his paperwork, Alice and Ria made their way down to the lobby.

"Seems like step one is done for now. If the negotiations succeed, who do you want to fight?" Ria asked, curious as to who Alice will choose.

"I think I want a rematch with Chloe. I was arrogant last time and lost because of it. I want to see how much I've improved since then. Though if Chloe refuses then I think I'll be interested in fighting Wess Froid. He seemed to be the leader so I want to know what he's capable of.

Last time Allura mentioned that they were Grade A students from the academy so I want to see how well I hold up against him." Alice replied honestly as Ria couldn't help but whistle at her choice.

"Going straight for the leader I see. I like it. If you didn't say Wess then I was going to say I wanted to try my hand at fighting him ahaha. Fighting beasts is nice and all but nothing beats winning battle against another Hunter. The moment of understanding and the mind games that come with Hunter battles are something else." Ria chuckled, clearly excited about this rematch.

Seeing this, Alice chuckled softly at her enthusiasm. In a sense, she too was excited about this rematch.

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