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Chapter 97 - Chronicle 97 ~ Forge Of Souls (2)

For a long time Vin had been trying to fuse his runic energies together with his Sword Qi, but this was proving very difficult to do since the two were very different types of energy.

But he did have an idea of how to solve the problem, and that was, just like how he had embedded a core rune within his Spirit Sea, he would have to inscribe a core rune within the Void Calamity Sword too.

Although he had started the process, due to the lack of time he had only done an outline, something like an embryo, this was because inscribing a core rune within a sword was much more harder than within his body.

But now he had found an opportunity to complete what he started, or so he thought as he listened to what the sage had to say about the trial objective.

"Each of the runic symbols contain either a technique or an ability, that you will obtain depending on the level of your comprehension. All abilities you receive will be an added reward. But your objective is to find the technique that can be used for forging," the sage declared. "Unravel the mystery of the crucible."

Vin pondered the sage's words, seeking the hidden truth within all these runic symbols to find a forging technique, the very best there is. The answer lay hidden within the crucible's depths.

With newfound understanding, Vin sat down cross legged as he attuned himself with the thousands of runic symbols as he navigated through it.

Vin reached a state of emptiness where he felt he was attuned with the very nature of reality itself, then he whispered "Celestial Authority ~ Neptune's Protection".

Immediately his aura seemed to reverberate and blaze wildly, as thick violet colored flames condensed solely from runic symbols condensed around him like a small world.

This was an ability he hadn't used in a long time, but this time around he wasn't using it for combat or as a form of defense, it was more so he could proceed with his next plan.

Using the runic symbols as a bridge, he tried to use it to communicate with the thousands of runic symbols gathered in front of him, so as to comprehend the mysteries within them.

As the violet flames danced around him, Vin focused his mind, channeling the Celestial Authority's energy into the runic symbols. The air vibrated with an otherworldly resonance, the symbols beginning to glow with an intense, ethereal light.

Vin's consciousness merged with the symbols, his mind expanding to encompass the vast knowledge contained within. The runes revealed their secrets, unfolding ancient mysteries and forgotten techniques.

Within the crucible's depths, Vin discovered a hidden pattern, a thread of connection that wove together disparate concepts. The forging technique he sought began to take shape, its essence resonating with the celestial harmonics.

As he delved deeper, Vin's understanding grew. He saw the intricate balance of energies, the subtle dance of creation and destruction. The technique revealed itself, a symphony of runes that would unlock the secrets of forging.

"Divine Forge Technique: Stellar Reforging," Vin whispered, his voice echoing through the realm.

The runic symbols pulsed with approval, their energy coursing through Vin's being. He felt the technique's power, its potential to reshape reality itself.

With the Divine Forge Technique: Stellar Reforging, Vin envisioned a new possibility - fusing his runic energies with the Void Calamity Sword's Sword Qi. The core rune embryo he had created earlier began to stir, responding to the newfound understanding.

Vin's aura blazed brighter, the violet flames intensifying as he channeled the technique's energy into the sword. The runes on the sword's surface began to glow, resonating with the celestial harmonics.

The fusion process commenced, the sword's Sword Qi merging with Vin's runic energies. The embryo core rune began to take shape, its power unfolding like a nascent star.

As the fusion reached its climax, Vin felt an unprecedented surge of energy. The Void Calamity Sword, now imbued with the Divine Forge Technique's essence, radiated an aura of unparalleled might.

The trial's objective was achieved, but Vin knew that this was only the beginning. The true potential of the Divine Forge Technique: Stellar Reforging remained to be unlocked.

Vin's excitement grew, his aura blazing with anticipation. He focused his will, channeling his energy to comprehending more Runes.

The crucible's secrets revealed themselves, and Vin grasped two more runes, but rather than techniques, these seemed to be abilities. He wanted to grasp more runes but he seemed to have hit a limit, and no matter how much he tried he couldn't get more.

With the technique and abilities clear in his mind, Vin opened his eyes, his gaze burning with determination. He didn't have to even learn the abilities as it seemed to have fused with him perfectly well, and frankly he was quite satisfied as he felt he had really gained from this expedition.

The trial's objective achieved, Vin rose to his feet, ready to face the next challenge. The sage's voice echoed in his mind, "The crucible's mystery unraveled, the forging technique revealed. The technique will be used to either create a new weapon for you, or upgrade your current one.."

As Vin stepped forward, the landscape shifted, revealing a realm of molten fire and swirling steel. The forge of the gods awaited, where Vin would temper his runic energies and Sword Qi, forging an unbreakable bond between them.

Trial three: Success.

The Master Smith stood before Vin, his eyes aglow. "You have proven your worth," he declared.

The Master Smith's gaze burned with intensity, his voice echoing through the realm. "You have unlocked the Divine Forge Technique: Stellar Reforging. Now, you must choose how to wield its power."

Vin stood tall, his mind racing with possibilities. "I wish to upgrade the Void Calamity Sword," he declared, his voice firm.

The Master Smith nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Then let us begin. The forge of the gods awaits."

With a wave of his hand, the Master Smith summoned a sea of molten fire, its surface churning with swirling steel.

"This is the Furnace of Rebirth, that will be used to refine you, body spirit and soul" the Master Smith stated "You must now hand over the sword you wish to upgrade, as well as the Star of Eternity, this will be used as the material to reforge your weapon".

Vin was a little bit surprised, but didn't think much of it, the Star of Eternity was something he had gotten in the first trial of the forge, and through God's Eye he could sense how amazing it was, and the amount of energy it held.

Frankly if it was left in his hands he wouldn't know what to do with it, but he was glad it could be used to uggrade his sword, and he couldn't help but anticipate what the final outcome would be.

After handing over the Star of Eternity and the Void Calamity Sword to the Master Smith, the Smith vanished into particles, leaving Vin to face the Furnace of Rebirth.

The Furnace of Rebirth stood as a colossal, kaleidoscopic structure, its walls woven from living flames that danced and swirled in hypnotic patterns. The furnace's core pulsed with an intense, golden light, as if the very essence of the sun had been distilled within. Three crucibles, each representing spirit, body, and soul, floated within the furnace's heart, suspended by threads of ethereal energy.

The crucibles themselves shone like polished obsidian, their surfaces etched with intricate runes that glowed with a soft, blue light.

As he stood in front of the forge, Vin felt the heat intensify, the flames dancing around him like living serpents.

As Vin approached, the runes began to pulse, entering The Furnace of Rebirth, he was enveloped by a sea of flames that seemed to burn with an inner light. The air was alive with the essence of transformation, and Vin felt his very being resonate with the furnace's power.

A figure emerged from the flames - a being of pure energy, forged from the essence of rebirth. "You have been chosen to undergo the trial of transformation," the being declared. "Your spirit, body, and soul shall be refined, tempered by the fires of rebirth."

As Vin entered the first Crusible, the flames danced around him, burning away impurities and refining his spiritual essence. His spiritual essence now resonated with the furnace's power, granting him newfound insight into the mysteries of some of his techniques.

The being presented Vin with the next crucible, representing his physical body. "The body crucible shall temper your flesh, forging it into a vessel worthy of your spirit."

Vin steeled himself, knowing that this trial would push his physical limits. He immersed himself in the body crucible, feeling the flames reshape his very flesh.

His muscles strengthened, his bones densified, and his senses heightened. His spirit, body, and soul now harmonized, resonating with the furnace's power.

The being declared, "Success. You have undergone the trial of transformation, emerging reborn and refined."

"This is... incredible," Vin whispered, awe-struck.

As Vin was still trying to get used to the new transformation, he was unaware of the dark currents that was currently flowing outside of the Tower of Trials.

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