Archwizard K's Journey In The Cultivation World

Case 96: Divergent paths.

Case 96: Divergent paths.

To become a deity.

During the five centuries for which Kierra had lived, this question had certainly come to her mind many times. If she could actually become a deity, what would it be like?

Would she have the power to shape civilizations as everyone knew them? Would she be able to merge continents, freeze ocean water, or cause a mass extinction with only her thoughts?

Perhaps.

Of course, with great power comes great responsibility, but Kierra was prepared to be a slacker god any day.

And... of course, the archwizard could already do all of the things she thought a god could, albeit with more difficulty. Truthfully, if being a god made those things easier, Kierra would readily embrace it.

However... the more she heard about divinity, the more she rejected the idea.

Being able to manifest anything into reality—this big selling point of divine power—was precisely what turned Kierra away. Sure, for those who had an absolute goal they must fulfill, walking on the path of the divine was certainly a good option.

Yet, Kierra was, at heart, a wizard.

A wizard wasn't a wizard just because they could cast spells. A wizard must be someone who lived their lives studying mana—someone curious enough to improve themselves through their experiments.

In a sense, it was closer to science.

If Kierra were to throw away her inherent passion for magical research... would she still be a wizard?

Certainly not.

Kierra wanted to remain a wizard. That was her identity.

'Besides...'

She just beat a god.

Sure, her odds were stacked in her favor, but she still killed a deity. Perhaps even that true pinnacle of magic, [Astral Oblivion], could only compete with an ordinary god. Perhaps.

Still.

Still...

Feeling her heart thumping as if rejoicing with her mind, Kierra smiled peacefully.

''...''

''...''

The wind blew.

In Wen Zhuwei's eyes, Kierra's image had never been this beautiful. Seeing someone like her, who was usually cocky, this honest with her emotions... it was as though she was a painting itself.

''Thank you, Heavenly Shura.''

As the archwizard stood up, Wen Zhuwei hurriedly called, ''W-Wait.''

''Why are you guys fighting, anyway?'' Mie Xieren blurted out.

Inflating her cheeks, the pink woman glared at August, ''I told this idiot that I would be better at reducing Kierra's stress, but she didn't listen!''

''No matter how you spin it, I am the better one here.'' August calmly refuted. ''Nothing beats a warm, nice backhug.''

''Huh?!?! You only want to hug her!''

''What would you do, then?''

''Napping on her lap! She told me I was similar to a dog, so that should help!''

Strangely, Diamante's argument was convincing. Perhaps August's reputation as a mean woman helped that.

Nevertheless, the crew ignored Diamante and August before walking to Kierra's room. Beyond the slightly opened door, the warm light of the table lamp illuminated the surroundings, casting a shadow of the person sitting before it onto the wall.

Kierra, now having her long hair tied into a ponytail, was busy scribbling on a piece of paper, her focused eyes shielded by a layer of glasses.

For some time, all five of them were drawn to this rare sight of the archwizard.

Her little movements, like twirling the pen, furrowing her brows, or pouting her lips, all made for a perfect 'troubled beauty' image. Moreover, one look at the numerous mathematical and magical formulas written on the whiteboard suggested something deeply advanced.

She wasn't just any troubled beauty; she was a genius troubled beauty!

''...What are you all doing there?''

'''' Ah. ''''

Maybe it was too blatant.

So, one by one, the women trudged into the room. Like curious little squirrels, they popped up behind Kierra to see what she had written. Seizing the opportunity, some even dared to touch Kierra's bare shoulders!

''How did your training go?''

Nevertheless, Kierra asked, figuring out that she needed some rest, too. She had burned herself the last two weeks, so an hour or two to play would work.

When the answers were a bit ambiguous, the archwizard immediately understood what happened.

''Did Angelica bully you?''

She turned around and took all five of them into her embrace. For a moment, a mother's warmth could be felt by this simple hug. Once the floodgate was opened, complaints after complaints poured out, yet strangely, none expressed any hatred toward Angelica.

''Good girls. You know what is good for you. That is admirable.''

So, a few dozen minutes passed by as Kierra quietly encouraged her harem. The crew felt as though they were babies being taken care of, but faced with Kierra's irresistible voice, they surrendered immediately.

''Hm?''

That was when one of them, who was resting her chin on Kierra's shoulder, noticed the paper that the archwizard was working on.

'The... eleventh mana circle...?'