Chapter 564: The Third System Event

After their little get-together, the termites became a vital part of their new faction. It would take a few weeks for the egg containing the new queen to hatch, and until then, they would help defend against the ants and spiders.

The gods learned about the termites after the eighth daughter tried to speak with Ricarda about the second System Event. Thalion had mentioned that Ricarda had been there with him and might remember more than he did, mostly to get rid of all the questions. Ferniel, the goddess who had blessed Ricarda, was already under immense pressure, knowing that her Chosen was about to enter the third System Event. She didn't want to lose Ricarda, and when her Chosen sent her a close-up image of the termites' fangs, she immediately thought it was over.

In the hope of saving her Chosen, she teleported in front of Solan's and Nyssa's temple and told them everything about an insect attack. From that point onward, the problem solved itself relatively quickly, and the gods were quite pleased when they learned about the new allies their mortal faction on New Earth had gained.

"Very, very good, Thalion." Solan nodded with his usual arrogant demeanor. "But you are not the only one who has found new allies. We spoke with an S-grade faction that managed to place multiple D-grade members in the areas that will merge with the new universe. That means after the third System Event, you should gain quite a few new D grades. Well, they'll have to find you first, and they'll probably spawn on a different planet, but things are actually looking quite good for you at the moment, provided you don't get dragged into the conflict between the Chosen."

"Good. I will finish my preparations for the third System Event. Afterwards, we need to have a talk about the time and light affinities. The time affinity almost got me killed, and when it comes to the light affinity, I don't know exactly how I'm supposed to merge it with my other affinities." Thalion responded calmly. "If possible, I would also like to speak with the Echovore a few more times."

"Of course. Of course. Good luck in the third System Event. Know that we will look after your friends should you not return," Solan said in a good mood before the projection disappeared.

Thalion tried to ignore the implication that he might die and instead focused on himself.

The days leading up to the third System Event passed quickly, and Thalion spent most of his time meditating. He also spoke with the Echovore god many times about the soul and how to defend against mental attacks. Under the Echovore's guidance, Thalion hardened the outer shell of his soul body to absurd levels and created countless tiny pockets loaded with energy. Those pockets would act like mines, and the moment another influence triggered them, they would detonate and bathe his soul body in his own energy, washing away the enemy's influence.

Quite a neat trick.

It wasn't the ultimate defense but rather a failsafe in case someone managed to overwhelm his soul for a brief moment. He still had his soul core, which could cleanse him of hostile influence, even though the Echovore considered it a crude solution and insisted it would be better to unwrap the core entirely and create a new one from scratch.

While in his Eclipsari form, Thalion consumed everything with a darkness affinity that the gathering parties brought back, along with a large number of crystals. In his human form, he practiced several combat styles with Saranya, who remained a relentlessly strict instructor. He also continuously trained his blood and fire control since his human form would be the one he spent most of his time in during the upcoming event.

Skipping the hunting expeditions and focusing entirely on himself had definitely been the right decision. The steady progress calmed his mind, and when he stood on the plaza during the final minutes before the event alongside Ricarda and the eighth daughter, he actually had a good feeling.

The tension was naturally high, considering the System Event they were about to enter. The eighth daughter looked confident and eager, while Ricarda was practically radiating negative emotions. Seeing her breathing heavily while glancing around as though hoping someone would come and save her wasn't exactly inspiring.

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Still, when it came to elves, Thalion didn't have much sympathy. Ricarda was also a Chosen, which meant she would have to face situations like this many times in the future. She should also have a relatively easy matchup, provided she didn't end up in the same bracket as Ryan.

To be fair, Thalion also had the feeling that the third System Event demanded a creative and alert mind. If he had to name the craziest of the three creators behind the System Events, that title unquestionably belonged to R-87.

"Oh, I just remembered one thing. For R-87, round stones are the best stones," Thalion said, and not a second too late, as the notification appeared on his status screen.

It was time to go and face the other victors of the previous two System Events.

<--

Not only Thalion was planning on entering the third System Event. After the announcement, it became clear to everyone that the academy would contain the greatest treasures, making it vital for every faction to send as many capable fighters as possible, no matter how difficult that would be.

Over the past few weeks, the fighting between the divine factions had almost completely stopped as everyone prepared for what was to come.

"Remember what I told you, Eric. The competition in this System Event will be fierce, and this time you'll be entering completely on your own," Solarian said to his Chosen. They had spent the last few months preparing for the third System Event, and especially after his Chosen's slight failure during the broadcast, Solarian had given him several lessons in scheming and deception. His Chosen was far from an expert, but he was confident it would be enough to keep him from being manipulated by his opponents.

"Yes, I will. When we see each other again, I'll have the entrance ticket to the academy," Eric replied with conviction. He would rather die than finish this System Event in second place.

"No. You are well prepared, but do not sacrifice yourself for first place. I understand that you will have to take risks, but don't rush in blindly. There will be many upcoming System Events where you can easily place first. You are far more important than a mere first-place finish in a System Event." Solarian's voice echoed through Eric's mind.

"Of course. I'm simply confident in my abilities," Eric replied through their connection.

"Then all is well. Good luck, my Chosen." Solarian's voice echoed through his mind one last time, almost proudly, before the connection broke off.

Eric opened his eyes to observe the allied Chosen standing around him, waiting for the third System Event to begin. There was Felix, Ryan, and Ethan. None of them would end up in the same System Event because of their different placements. The one who had it the easiest was Ryan, who had been eliminated early in the first System Event.

"You know, maybe there really is something like cosmic justice," Ryan chuckled. "Thalion kicked me out early in the first System Event, only to give me a free ticket to the academy, which will be far more important than anything else."

"Ha! I hadn't even looked at it that way before," Ethan laughed loudly. "Watching evil fight not only us but also fate is quite entertaining."

"Don't get too amused, Ethan. You might end up in the same System Event as Thalion, and your competition would be by far the most difficult," Felix interjected, robbing the Chosen of their amusement.

"Right, right. I'm just trying to distract myself. The information we have about the second System Event isn't exactly reassuring," Ethan muttered. He hated that they didn't even have the slightest clue what the third System Event was going to be.

"Yeah, that truly is annoying, but we're the Chosen. Our patrons have been preparing us for this moment. Losing simply isn't an option," Eric announced confidently. "We've fought the elven Chosen multiple times, even though they outnumber us three to one. Yet we're still here, stronger than ever before."

That immediately lifted everyone's spirits.

"True. I have to admit that I'm curious about what's going to happen in this academy. Aeta said it has to be something huge if the voice of the System announced it like that. My patron is also preparing to go all out for what's about to come," Ethan said, scratching his head.

"Yes, Solarian is no different. Too bad the oracles didn't see it coming. From what I've heard, they don't have the slightest idea what this academy is going to be," Eric agreed with a nod.

This was a pivotal moment for the humans of New Earth. The elves and orcs outnumbered them when it came to Chosen, which meant they would lose in a direct confrontation. There were many contingency plans, but they were undoubtedly on the back foot. The thought of annihilating one of the other divine factions was completely out of the question.

Yet with the appearance of the academy, maybe that wouldn't be necessary anymore.

It was only a faint hope, but it was one every human Chosen shared.

"Time is up. Best of luck to all of you," Felix said the moment the System notification appeared before them.

Every Chosen paid the entrance fee of five hundred years of lifespan and disappeared, entering what would undoubtedly come to be known as the craziest trial of this era.