ENDLESS MYTH : Surpassing The Gods.

Somewhere on the sea in a ship

Sol took a deep breath, then exhaled and closed his eyes. He thought about the few constellations he still had. The [hercules] constellation elements were earth and fire. It also gave him a physical body out of this world. Be it strength, speed, reflex and anything else related to the body. Even being hit by a truck wouldn't hurt him in the slightest.

[Hydra] element was water. Its ability was even more broken since it gave him a regeneration rate so high that he was basically immortal. Of course, he wasn't truly immortal, but, if he reached the peak of the full control level, his regeneration would be at the same level as that of the true Hydra of the myth or even a little superior.

[Lupus] was a little weaker, but it still greatly boosted his stamina and gave him all the senses of a wolf, something that would really help him during the test. Its elements were wind and earth.

The last one, [crux], was a neutral constellation, so it gave him no ability or elements. Still, the neutral star was not to be underestimated. Those with neutral constellations had a two or three time more reserve of energy than the other, so even though they could not use a special ability, by specializing in ars use they could become very strong, sadly having only a neutral star was like a dead end on one path of power.

 If he had to calculate, with all his current constellations, he had nine times more energy than any normal constellationist. He also remembered many [Ars Almadel] which could help him with long-distance attacks, even though he wasn't really good at them. Even at his peak, he liked more the ars who boosted his physical body. All in all, you could say that he was a mini and stronger version of hulk.

As he thought of his constellations, he began to try to connect with them. Heat coursed through his body. Red marks appeared on his skin. His breath becomes rough, his heartbeat increased. And then everything stopped. The air itself seemed still as if time itself stopped.

  He took a second breath, exhaled and opened his eyes. Only that, rather than being in his cabin, he was in a dark space full of stars. There were exactly twenty constellations around him, most of them were extremely dim. He looked past them and looked at those that were still lit, even if barely. Only four of them were in this state.

As he looked at them, he could feel sadness growing in his heart. Being in his mind space was always a bitter experience. Seeing the previously beautiful sky being so pitiful, broke his heart him like nothing else. He then looked elsewhere. There, Somewhat farther, in a part of his dark sky, was a star, an incredibly bright star, so bright that even at his peak all his constellations couldn't compare to it. This star was surrounded by chains as if a beast sealed in a cage. Sol didn't stare too long at this chained star. It's wasn't time to be distracted. He then closed his eyes.

He took a third breath, but this time he keeps it and opened eyes. He was back in his cabin. Around him, the air begins to shimmer, his eyes become completely crimson. Looking at them gave the illusion that one was submerged by a sea of blood. He began the circulation of the aether in his body. His body was like a badly oiled machine full of cobwebs. His heart was an engine that didn't move in a year and his aether was the fuel.

In the beginning, it was hard. He nearly failed one or two times. But after some time, the circulation of aether becomes smoother. He was still a little far from a truly oiled machine but by the times he reached the island, he would be more than ready.

As the energy circulated in all his body. He began to feel stronger, faster. He felt like he could easily bend steel. He stood up and began to move. He wasn't worried about destroying his room. There is no way a ship full of power users wouldn't be protected by powerful runes. As he moved, it was like he was slow dancing. He didn't do wild movements. Such a thing would serve as nothing more than satisfying his ego and give him a false impression of power. The most important in using aether wasn' t brute force, but control. Even though with his reserve he didn't have to worry about lack of energy, in theory, the test wouldn't be a one-fight but survival over many days. You could never know what would happen, so having more control in how to use his strength was a necessary skill.

 After moving like that for about an hour, he couldn't help but be frustrated. His control was too lacking. Sure, seeing the energy wave around him was cool, but that was just a waste of energy. True Master could move at extreme speed and do devastating punch without even moving the air around them. He was still far from this level. He stopped at that thought (Since when did I care so much about my level?).

The energy around him immediately stopped moving, his heartbeats took a normal and steady rhythm. (Right now I lost the correct mindset.)

As he calmed himself, he looked outside by his window and saw the true and beautiful starry sky. An impulse overcome him and he decided to go out in order to get a better view.

-----

He was walking alone on the deck. It was very late in the night, so the other was most likely training or resting in their cabinets. The silence gave him comfort. He didn't like being around other people. 

As he looked up, he thought (The starry sky is truly ). Before coming here he was really scared. He was a genius in the past, no calling him a genius would have been an insult.

While others were still doing preparations training for their awakening, he already reached the hero level and was close to mastering most of all his abilities. Right now, though he was still at the hero level, his level of understanding feel back to the beginning of the awakening level. He was even sure that despite his numerous constellations, some heroes from the noble's families could give him a very hard time.

He, of course, knew that him not training for ten years was the cause. After the accident, any time he tried to train, he would feel so much pain that he thought he would become crazy. It's only been two years ago that he was once again somewhat able to train. But even then he never truly did it. So why did he suddenly become so excited? Is it the fact of seeing so many people of his generation in the same room? Is it the fact that despite finding it stupid, he still respected Emilio a little for daring to fight against an overwhelming opponent? Is it the fact that he wanted to prove that despite being crippled in the past, he was still the super genius of the Heracles family? Or is it simply because he didn't want his sister to worry for him?

He didn't know. Perhaps it was one of them, perhaps it was all of them. But what he knew was that he needed to make a decision. His body was now only mildly strained when training. What should he do? The world didn't revolve around him. While he was struggling to move, others were running. Most of the other heir was most likely already at the peak of the hero realm like him, some may have even reached the legend realm. 

Everything must follow a certain order. The same rules apply to constellationist. He didn't know all there is to Kwon about the demarcation of power, but he at least remembered the basics. There are two great realms of power, the mortal realm, and the Transcendent realm. There are also four levels for the abilities bestowed. The four levels were the awakening; mastering; fusing and full control. The two great realms are further divided into six little realms which are trainee; hero; legend; myth; demi-god and finally greater spirit. Three small realms for each great realm. 

Right now, thanks to him awakening so soon in the past, he still had a chance to run with them. But, if he waited too long, he would no longer have such qualifications, perhaps he may even lose it very soon. So he made a decision

"I  will put everything I have on this test. I will train like crazy, just for it, perhaps I will find the answer I seek".

Even as he said this, his face was full of hesitation. He really struggled to find the right way, the right road, his convictions were still too weak and fragile. 

"Mister Heracles. ..may I know what you are doing here ?" A voice, suddenly sounded behind.