Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Lucy stood in the middle of the arena, her calm yet powerful presence undeniable. The top five elders watched her with keen interest, their eyes filled with anticipation. The crowd held its breath, waiting for the decision that would shape the future of the strongest outer disciple.

Elder Darius was the first to speak, or at least, he tried. "Lucy Luxoria, your performance was—"

"Cut the crap, Darius," Roxana interrupted, her voice slicing through the air with sharp authority. The words were spoken with such force that it caused even the other elders to sit up straighter.

"She doesn't need your empty praise. She already knows what she's accomplished." Roxana's tone held no patience for formalities, her gaze unwavering as it remained locked on Lucy.

Darius paused mid-sentence, clearly irritated by the interruption. His lips tightened into a thin line, but he didn't dare push back against Roxana's forceful demeanor. Instead, he simply gave a curt nod, his jaw clenched.

Roxana, unfazed by his silent protest, turned fully toward Lucy, her eyes narrowing slightly with interest. "Now, Lucy," she said, her voice commanding yet inviting, "which elder do you wish to join?"

Before Lucy could answer, the other elders quickly jumped in, their voices competing with one another, trying to sway her decision.

"Lucy, with your strength and potential, you would benefit most under my guidance," Elder Aric Valen said, his deep voice carrying a tone of reassurance.

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I will help you hone your physical abilities. With proper training, you could achieve feats of unimaginable strength."

Elder Sylph Margrave chimed in almost immediately, her voice softer but filled with conviction. "Lucy, elemental mastery is your key to reaching greater heights. Under my tutelage, I will teach you to combine your power with the wind. Together, we can make you into a truly unstoppable force."

Elder Thorne Arcturus added his voice, his tone calm yet insistent. "Your talents would thrive under my guidance, Lucy. I understand the depths of thunder cultivation better than anyone. You need someone who knows how to elevate your power in ways others can't."

The offers were tempting, and the other elders leaned forward as if waiting for her to respond. But before they could finish their persuasive attempts, Roxana cut them off again, her eyes still focused solely on Lucy.

"Enough," Roxana said, her voice lower now but with a fierce intensity that made the other elders tense. "Join me, Lucy," she continued, her tone carrying a sense of promise and certainty.

"I am an 8-star warrior. I've already accepted another disciple, Zeus, as my disciple, and I will focus on both of you. You won't be just another student in a long list—I will make sure you reach your full potential. Your growth will be my priority."

Roxana's gaze never wavered from Lucy, and though her words were calm, her fierce determination was unmistakable. There was no doubt in her voice—only the certainty that she could offer Lucy what the others couldn't: undivided attention and focus.

The other elders exchanged looks, visibly frustrated but unwilling to challenge Roxana's bold statement. Darius's smile was strained, Aric's jaw tightened, and Sylph's calm demeanor faltered slightly. Even Thorne, typically composed, looked annoyed at being overshadowed by Roxana's unwavering confidence.

Lucy's cold expression remained unchanged as she listened to the elders' offers, her mind carefully weighing each option. Zeus watched from the side, narrowing his eyes slightly. He knew his sister all too well. "She's thinking too much," he thought with a hint of impatience.

Turning to the system, Zeus asked, "Can you speak to Lucy through her Divine Mask?"

[Hah, of course, I can,] the system replied, its tone oozing with smug arrogance. [But remember, genius, we agreed to keep me a secret.]

Zeus sighed in frustration, shaking his head. "How can you be so clueless? You don't need to reveal yourself as a system. Just make something up! Call yourself a god, an ancestor, whatever. She won't connect the dots."

There was a pause, the kind that made it clear the system hadn't thought of that. When it finally responded, its voice was begrudging, though trying to sound confident.

[Oh... yes, yes, I knew that. I was just... testing you.]

Even the almighty system can be an idiot sometimes, Zeus thought with an amused smirk.

[Damn you!] the system snapped, its voice clearly annoyed, [Mocking your greatest asset? Who's the real idiot here, hmm?] The shameless arrogance in its tone was impossible to miss, even when it was being insulted.

Zeus chuckled softly, enjoying the rare opportunity to get under the system's skin. He could almost imagine the smug being trying to puff itself up in indignation.

[Oh, laugh it up while you can, host,] the system grumbled, its voice now laced with sarcasm. [You'd be nowhere without me. Now, watch the master at work.]

Zeus's smirk widened as he let the system shift focus to contact Lucy. The banter might be annoying at times, but it was moments like these that made having a sentient, arrogant system strangely entertaining.

Standing in the arena, Lucy weighed her options, her cold expression unchanging as the elders eagerly awaited her decision. But suddenly, a voice echoed in her mind, breaking through her thoughts.

[Lucy... nice to meet you,] the voice said, smooth and authoritative, with a hint of smugness laced within.

Lucy's icy composure flickered, just for a moment. Her eyes darted around the arena, scanning the crowd. No one had spoken aloud, and the top elders exchanged confused glances, noticing her subtle movement.

[Oh, don't bother looking around,] the voice continued, now with an air of amusement. [I'm speaking directly into your mind. You won't find me out there among the plebs.]

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Her gaze sharpened instantly, thoughts cutting through the confusion like a blade. Who are you? she asked, her tone as frosty and guarded as ever.

The voice responded with a chuckle, arrogant and self-assured. [Ah, yes, right to the point, I see. Very well, you deserve an introduction. Pleased to meet you, Lucy. I am your ancestor... the great Olympus.]

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