Rubies, emeralds, sapphires, opals, and many more. The flowers were like jewels uhe midday sun. Though they couldn't gleam uhe shimmering sunlight, they shine just as brightly aifully.

  With the butterflies, bees, and all sorts of colorful bugs dang in the air, the sery only became more beautiful. It was one where people would feel both rexation and fort just seeing the magnifit sight alone.

  The garden was already before, but after its destru, like a phoenix, reborn from the ashes of death, the garden grew even more colorful and vibrant. It aradise unlike any other and sed to none. A true heaven.

  "Mama! Look! A butterfly!"

  "Waah～! So pretty!"

  Of course, the same went with the vilgers of the Malus vilge. The ay, gloom, and all those dark emotions they once felt was now o be found. They have been buried by the garden's beauty and grandiose, o be seen again.

  Grey, oher hand, was now sitting uhe shade of the Tree of Life. He had just escaped from the vilgers' very wam gratitude and was now resting himself, his eyes gently closedー or so, how it would seem.

  So, uhh... What's your name again? ［Grey］

  I bear no name, Holy One. Kindly refer to me as you please. ［???］

  Then, since you're a Leifdorn Oak, are you fih "Leif". It feels a little awkward referring to you without a name. ［Grey］

  I am more than honored, Holy One. ［Leif］

  Currently, Grey is talking to the Tree of Life. At first, he thought he was going crazy, but after cheg again and agaiermihat the tree really was talking to him. And strangely enough, he was the only one who could hear its voice.

  The only reason Grey could only think of was that Leif was no longer cssified as a normal pnt, but rather a "Magit". The catalyst of such a transformation was, of course, his very own blood. Still, it felt strange for him, talking to a tree, literally.

  Magits, like the name suggests, are pnts which could utilize mana. In a sehey are like the pnt versions of beasts which are animals which could freely unitize the mana in their bodies.

  While all pnts have mana in them, only those which actively utilize it be called magits. The "Kalkia Grass", although widely used in magic potions and alchemy, is only a pnt. It only possesses mana but 't use it.

  Before, the Tree of Life only process mana for its growth and vitality, using them as nutrients. Although its fruits and leaves have amazing properties, it 't actively use mana for itself, thus it was only a "Pnt" and not a "Magit".

  Magits are those on which actively spit out fire as a defense meism or alter the surroundings to fit their needs. They are even rarer thas, and are thus, much more valuable. They are also the main ingredients of high-level alchemy.

  Even then, Grey has never seen nor heard of a magit which possessed true sentience. As far as he was ed, the Tree of Life in front of him was the first. Not only is it aware of its surroundings, it could also verse like intelligent life forms.

  Then Leif... you expin to me this "Holy One" deal? It's been b for quite a while now. ［Grey］

  Hm? Is there any reason for it? The Holy One is the Holy O has always been like that and will always be. ［Leif］

  Grey was a little baffled at Leif's ahe question which has been b him since was easily dismissed as if it was just a trivial matter. The way Leif expi also sounded as if they were expining something obvious.

  Of course, Grey already has his own suspis, but still, he wao firm it to the person, or rather, tree which was calling him such. In the end, he decided to leave it with him possessing the "Divine Blood of Creation".

  Then Leif, you tell me what the "Divine Blood of Creation" is? And how is it reted to the "Essence of Creation" that you o grow? ［Grey］

  It would be my honor... ［Leif］

  At Grey's request, Leif quickly expihe things it knew about Grey's queries. Strangely enough, while God imparted him the knowledge he he subjects they are currently discussing were not amongst them.

  Acc to Leif, to put it simply, the "Divine Blood of Creation" is blood which tains the absolute and highest tration of the "Essence of Creation". The one who possessed such blood was her than Grey himself.

  As for the "Essence of Creation", it is the energy which governs the very ws of the world and maintains it. Bance, growth, chaos, and even life ah. No matter what aspect of the world it is, the essence of creation pyed a part in them.

  I see... But even if you say that, I 't trol such things. Also, wouldn't that totally make me inhuman? ［Grey］

  That... I also ck the knowledge to a, but there is ohing I am certain of. I am certain that the Holy One possesses the "Essense of Creation" ［Leif］

  Haah... What a bother. Also, you stop using Holy Ohis, Holy Ohat. Refer to me as "Grey" instead. ［Grey］

  That I ot do. How could I dare show disrespect to the Holy One? ［Leif］

  I'm telling you that you . ［Grey］

  And, with all due respect, I'm am saying I ot do that. ［Leif］

  Grey tried to persuade Leif, but it was fruitless. Of course, he didn't just give up after a siry. Even then, Leif wouldn't budge from their stand tinued referring to Grey as "Holy One". In the end, all of Grey's efforts were in vain.

  Somehow, being called by such a title felt more tiring than those like "t" or "Archduke". He couldn't just shake the feeling that there was more to it than what meets the eyes. It was not an ominous feeling, but rather, a troublesome one.

  Still, even with all the things answered, there was still one question that was b Grey all this time. It started when they summohe familiars, only reemerging now that the topic was once again touched.

  Leif, this is my final question... Why do you think I... This body possesses the Essence of Creation? ［Grey］

  I am not sure as well, but if the Holy One allows it, I would like to express my suspi on the subject. ［Leif］

  Sure, go ahead. ［Grey］

  I believe it has something to do with fixing the Mana Cycle and solve the imbance of forces in the world. ［Leif］

  Imbance... Such a word resounded loud and clear inside Grey's mind. After all, it was the very reason why he was chosen by God to reinate in Merusia. It was his mission to reactivate the devices at the cores of the Labyrinths which will correct the imbance of corruption,

  In Merusia, mana has tree forms. There is the pure mana or aether, free or raw mana, and impure mana or corruption. These three types of mana are present all over the world and is responsible of everything which occurs,

  Mana is a very malleable force, easily influenced by the other forces into one of the three forms. Free mana is simply mana which has yet to be influenced. Pure mana such as the spiritual energy or the soul itself are mana that maintains the living.

  Among them, impure mana is quite plicated. They are the mana which is the byproduct of using magic. Simply put, when people use raw mana as fuel, after the magic is casted, the mana turns impure. The more destructive and corruptive the reason fic was, the more impure mana bees.

  Normally, these mana maintain bance because of the Mana Cycle. It is a process where free mana is attracted by the pure mana of the soul. After magic is performed, the free mana will turn into impure mana and trate to create monsters. When the monsters are defeated, free mana is released bato the surroundings to repeat the cycle again.

  For thousands of years, it has always been like that. But with the growing popution and more frequent use of magic, the mana cycle couldn't keep up and the bance of the scale has been tipped for the worse.

  In the past turies, I've noticed that corruption has been growing more and more in parison to aether. If this tinues, after a couple more turies, I am certain that the very ws of the world will e to see ge. ［Leif］

  I see... That's a little w... ［Grey］

  Said Grey as he fell deep into thought. While he has been keeping in mind God's words, he never khat the scale of ge was so massive. Even then, he felt her panior ay. He was as calm as one be.

  Well, it's still a few turies away. I'm sure I clear the byrinths by then. There's o rush things. ［Grey］

  Said Grey as he opened his eyes and stood up, stretg his arms towards the sky aing out a low groan as if he had just woken up from sleep. Grey was n to act. It just came out on its own out of habit.

  Is it alright to be so carefree, Holy One? ［Leif］

  Hmm... I mean, there isn't really a point w about it. It won't solve anything except make you stressed... Also, while it may be my task to restore bance, a certain someone also gave me another mission. ［Grey］

  And that is...? ［Leif］

  A smile appeared on Grey's face as he recalled the se when he chatted with God. It may only be for a short while but he would never fet such a se. After all, it was where it all began.

  It's to enjoy this life in the fullest. ［Grey］

  Right now, Grey couldn't be any happier with what he has. Not only does he have an amazing home, great friends and acquaintances, now he also has something he never had in his previous life. Although a little childish and spoiled, he now has a very precious person he holds dear.

  Grey's eyes wandered in the viity until it nded on Yuna. A warm ale rush filled his heart in its ey, filling it with happiness and fort he never knew before. Right now, his life is in plete bliss.

  I see... Then I wish you all the best, Holy One. ［Leif］

  Yeah, thanks. ［Grey］

  While it was a little weird talking to a tree for the first time, there was no sense of disfort in Grey's heart. Rather, he felt rexed as if he was talking to an old friend. If it wasn't for Leif's formal speech, it would have been perfeevertheless, it leasant versation.

  Just as he finished his versation with Leif, a certain silver-haired elf approached him in an adorable manner, skippieps whilst hummiedly, wearing a bright aed expression on her face.

  "Grey, do you need something from me?" ［Yuna］

  "Hm? Not really, why do you ask?" ［Grey］

  "Well, you've been gng at me for some time now. I figured you wanted something from me. Am I wrong?" ［Yuna］

  Well, no matter how sneaky Grey g her, she always mao find out. It may be because of her sharp senses, but for a more romantic feel, let's just say that she felt the warmth in his gazes. Romantid cheesy, a perfect match.

  "Hahaha, looks like I've been found out. It's just that my girlfriend is so cute that I couldn't help but look at you." ［Grey］

  "Geez～! Again with those lines... I told you to stop it already!" ［Yuna］

  "Hm? Do you hate it?" ［Grey］

  "N... No... That's not it. It's just embarrassing... At least say it only when we're aloogether..." ［Yuna］

  Said Yuna shyly as her face started to turn red, her voice getting quieter and quieter with each passing sed. Her reas only filled Grey's heart with more happiness as he chuckled under his breath.

  "Then, as you wish, Midyー" ［Grey］

  "Big Bro! Big Sis! Look, I found some pretty stones!" ［Ruru］

  Just as Grey was about to jokingly bow his head, a little ball of energy came running towards the two of them. It was Ruru who was now holding two beautiful crystals in her hand. One was the color of the forest, while the other, the color of the earth.

  What Ruru held in her little hands were her than the Beast Crystals from the Citraka and Molterow which had turned into demonic beasts. Not only were they pretty, they were also quite big, just a little smaller from the Beast Crystal Poris was summoned with.

  Following Ruru were Kris and Aria, obviously aware of what kind of item the little girl was holding in her hands. They were both calm and collected as if they weren't in a life-threatening battle just a short while ago.

  "Here!" ［Ruru］

  "Oh? Are you giving this to Big Sis and Big Bro?" ［Yuna］

  "Yes! Big Sis Aria and Big Bro Kris told me to!" ［Ruru］

  Ruru decred enthusiastically with a bright a-melting smile on her face. It was a face full of innoce which just screams ess and fluffiness. Unless one possessed a heart of ice, it was impossible to not fall for her ess.

  "Mister Kris, Miss Aria, this is..." ［Grey］

  "It's just as Ruru said. Please take them. It's the drops of the demonic beasts from earlier. I believe it is only proper that they are returo their owners," ［Aria］

  "But Miss Aria, we weren't the only ones who foughtー" ［Yuna］

  "Shhh～! That's enough, now... While that may be true, you and your familiars were the only ones who fought at the end. We really didn't have many tributions. And what was it again...?" ［Aria］

  Yuna tried to reason out, but in front of Aria, she owerless. Just like Vanessa, Aria was no longer a simple acquaintao her and Grey. She was more like an older sister figure to them. No matter how powerful they are, they couldn't so much as tue with her.

  "Ah, right... Please take it, this is the least we could do to thank you for everything." ［Aria］

  Using Grey's own words against them, Aria ended her statement with a smile. With it, there wasn't much the two could do anymore. They could only accept their siy with grad gratitude in their hearts.

  Ruru excitedly hahe Beast Crystals to the two of them in an adorable fashion. In the first pce, although light, the crystals were far te for her hands. She ha to them one by oh a determined face as if she was holding something heavy and important.

  "Thank you, Ruru. And... Thank you, Mister Kris, Miss Aria." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha, don't mention it." ［Kris］

  Having the beast crystals in their hands, Grey opened up his "Iory", but before he could even do so much as to store them, a familiar, clear, and resonant voice resounded in his mind.

  Holy One, I believe it is best to perform the summoning right now. ［Leif］

  Hm? What do you mean? ［Grey］

  It may be meager, but I believe I'll be able to assist in the summoning. Also, I believe it would be in our best io summon your current familiars. ［Leif］

  Grey suddenly remembered the moment of Dianthus and the others' summoning. It was true that the others were strangely powerful pared to Vanessa and the other's familiars despite having the same kinds of beast crystals as catalysts.

  "Grey, what's wrong?" ［Yuna］

  "Nothing... I was just thinking that it's better to perform the summoning now. We may not have any other ces iure. Are you fih that?" ［Grey］

  "... Un! Sure!" ［Yuna］

  There wasn't much to think about and Yuna quickly agreed to Grey's suggestion. She didn't eveion Grey's decision a little bit. It just showed how much trust she had in him. A trust even strohan mithril and orichalcum bined.

  "Oh? We're doing another summoning now?" ［Kris］

  "A summoning?! Big Bro! Big Sis! I want to see!" ［Zeke］

  "Me too! I wanna see!" ［Ruru］

  Words spread and more people were drawn into Grey and Yuna's summoning. Many haven't seen how Kris and Aria's familiars were, and now that they have the ce to, they weren't going to miss such a rare opportunity.

  At Leif's request, Grey quickly summoned Poris and the others. They were still irue forms and the people couldn't help but gawk at them with awe as they were basked in their magnifid beauty.

  Soon after the familiars were summoned, Grey started ting inprehensible words once again, ts much longer and plex than before. And just like the ts, the magic circle whied was also much bigger and much more intricate, in correspondeh the quality of the beast crystals.

  Two sophisticated circles shone brightly as the outer yers turned faster and faster as they tio suck mana from the atmosphere. With how wide the area was, it allowed Grey to summon two familiars at the same time.

  Leif, what now? ［Grey］

  Please tio perform the ritual as you would, ［Leif］

  Alright, ［Grey］

  Now that the magic circles were finished, all that was left was the final materials. Grey and Yuna quickly pced the beasts crystals on the ter of the magic circles and following it, they let their blood grace the magic circles with a little wound on their palms.

  The very moment Grey and Yuna's blood touched the magic circles, the inner circles started to spin like crazy. It may be because the crystals were S-rank, but the summoning was noticeably more fshy.

  "Oh Great Beast who once walked the nds of Merusia, I hereby call you forth! Throughout the sky, the nds, and the seas, let your brilliance be known!" ［Grey］

  There wasn't only a storm of mana. An even more magical and mystical se unfolded before everyone's eyes. As the mana swirled as if drawn to a vortex, the Tree of Life started to shioo.

  Flowers of all colors and sheen glowed like jewels along the branches and leaves. Not only at, the ground also started shining like a field of stars. Uhe violent storm, it was gentle and calm like the surface of a silent ke.

  "Pretty～!"

  "Amazing!"

  "How beautiful..."

  Whilst everyone was mesmerized by the beautiful blossoms, the storm of mana tio grow, glowing brighter and brighter with the passing of time until such that the storm burst forth into a shower of light, plimenting the blooming and glowing garden.

  What was revealed after the light dispersed were two magnifit creatures also covered with ptinum-colored scales and crystals on their chests and . They were the very same High Dragons Grey and Yuna summoned before.

  "Oh my... So you summon different kinds of creatures from a beast crystal, huh... I thought it was supposed to be only the ones you defeated." ［Aria］

  "That's pretty ..." ［Kris］

  Both Kris and Aria were surprised at the result, but Grey was even more fused. Even when he was the one who prepared the preparations and summohem, his head was filled with question marks.

  It was uandable with the previous Beast Crystals sihey were made from a bination of beasts, so it chose a certain form, but the curre Crystals were pretty specific. He could only bme such circumstao the blood flowing in him.

  One of the high dragons was of the pnt-attribute, bearing emerald green eyes and crystals, while the other one has deep brown like that of the earth of those or walnuts. Both were beautiful and mesmerizing.

  "Hello, Mistress! Master! It's o meet you!" ［???］

  "G-Greetings... Master... Mistress..." ［???］

  The oh emerald eyes was frivolous, while the oh brown was timid, pletely opposite of one another. While they were both females like Sirius, their personalities couldn't have been any more different

  Of course, the naming was once agaio Grey's devices. There wasn't too much to think about. After all, the familiars were named after the brightest stars in the night sky. All he had to do was follow the trend.

  "Then, you shall be named Vega and Capel. We'll be in your care." ［Grey］

  "Vega! How pretty! Thanks, Master!" ［Vega］

  "I-I'll also be in y-your care... Master... Mistress..." ［Capel］

  The names were given but the summoning hasn't finished. Soon after the names were given, the flowers and all of which glowed in the garden burst into orbs of light and fused with the familiars' bodies.

  It wasn't just for show. Deep iheir bodies, things have been altered. Their souls which processed corruption into pure mana have been enhanced signifitly to work more effitly. Not only that, the corruption which they have gathered in their souls for months was instantly turned into mana.

  Vega and Capel weren't affected much sihey haven't ed any corruptio, but the same couldn't be said for the others. As they ed the pure mana, their strengths improved by leaps and bounds. It ower-up!

  opus, Kentaurus, and Arcturus immediately broke through S-rank, whilst Sirius was immediately pulled up to be on par with Yuna at the middle of S-rank. As for Poris... Well, he was in a totally different league.

  Rooooaaarrrrr

  Answering his roar, a golden beam of light came fshing like lightning from the heavens above and Poris' body grew bigger and more intricate. Marks formed in his scales and his eyes gleamed a fiercer and sharper glow. The magnifice of a king!

  "Waah～! An angel!"

  "So shiny!"

  "The light is so warm!"

  The people looked at the se with bright, sparkly eyes, not blinking even a sed. The only ones who had differeiohose who knew what was actually happening. It wasn't just a fshy show. Poris has reached Camity Css!

  A single S-ra could already equal aire army, and now, Grey and Yuna had six of these as familiars, not to mention one which reached Camity Css. One couldn't help but worry with such a line-up.

  'Well, I'm sure everything will be fine... Probably...' ［Grey］

  Thought Grey as he vinced himself that everything was fine. He decided to not think too much about things, but the others didn't think the same. He was asked a barrage of questions before he could eve away, but that's a story for another day.

  CHAPTER 149 END