Celestial Era: The Rise of the Full-Time Enhancer

"Hmmm? Cloning?" Vincent repeated. He knows this word but he had never heard of any Mana Art or ability that is capable of doing this.

"That's right… According to what I've learned from Licht, the first Tower Lord, the Celestials have their own unique talent or ability. He mentioned that it was awakened thanks to the existence of Mana… and the Number One Celestial was said to have the Cloning Ability…"

Ignacy answered as he recalls the words of his Grandmaster.

Vincent knows that the creator of the Black Tower was a legendary existence within the organization so he couldn't help but be surprised after hearing his name.

Anyway, he agreed with his words about the Celestials having unique skills.

"That makes sense since all the Numbered Celestials I know seem to have special abilities. So you're telling me that the strongest Celestial has a Cloning Ability? But why did you mention it? Is it related to---"

Vincent paused as he suddenly had a realization.

'This… Is it possible that Tara and maybe even Ayla were both clones?' Vincent's eyes went wide after reaching this thought…

For sure, his Master Ignacy thought of this as well.

Perhaps, Tara did really die according to the other Numbered Celestials… They may not have seen it wrongly during the First Rapture.

Furthermore, Ayla's case may not be some sort of disease but there was just a problem with the cloning ability because she had almost died inside the Vermillion Hawk!

"Master, do you know how this cloning ability works?" Vincent immediately asked.

"I'm not sure as well. However, since this is the ability of the first Celestial, it wouldn't be surprising that it's very unusual. Calling it cloning may even be an understatement to her ability…" Ignacy said.

Vincent can agree to this since if it is really Cloning Ability, he would certainly be surprised that each clone could have their own life or identity…

One clone became Tara the Number 999 Celestial and another one became Ayla, the Magician capable of remaking his System Enhancement. It's more than just cloning!

"Ugh… No wonder you're hesitating to tell me this… This is just too unbelievable." Vincent muttered.

"I already told you that it might be wrong… Anyway, the Celestial involved is probably returning now…"

"Ahh? Can you sense an incoming Celestial from afar?"

"Yes… I can sense nine Celestial Beings rushing to this city… I'm not sure if they're enemies…"

Vincent raised his brow since Calidia wasn't contacting him yet.

Currently, the Kayser Tower has the best detection device in the city… It can normally cover a 30-kilometer radius and can be extended depending on the energy fluctuations of the target they're trying to sense…

If the Tower hasn't detected the Celestials yet, it means that Ignacy's detection range is wider than theirs!

"As expected of Master… Let's see if they're enemies or not…"

Vincent said as he informed the Celestial Beings to gather… After all, if the nine incoming Celestials are enemies, they have to be ready to fight against them.

Soon, the 17 Celestial Beings arrived at the southern gate where Vincent asked them to gather.

Vincent and Ignacy also arrived there in time as he looked at the Celestials with proud eyes… These Celestials Beings really ease his heart as he knows that they will be able to protect the city even if he decided to visit the Star Garden Peak…

"Sir Vincent… Are we waiting for an enemy?" Luna asked as she approached Vincent.

"I'm not sure. However, Master Ignacy felt the presence of Celestials going in this direction… They should be here in a few minutes if they continue with their speed.

"Ohh?" Luna couldn't help but look at Ignacy. She knows that this person is Vincent's Master. She was the one who examined his body and learned about the seal in his soul after all.

"That's right… I sensed nine of them, Celestial Luna. Vincent told me that you're the one who diagnosed my condition perfectly. Thank you for your assistance, this is just a small gift from me. I hope you can accept it." Ignacy added as he handed a jade amulet to Luna.

The latter didn't accept it and looked at Vincent first.

After the latter nodded, Luna accepted it with both hands and thanked Ignacy.

"Thank you. I don't have the skill to appraise it but I can tell that it has some protection magic in it. Sir Vincent, can you appraise it for me?" Luna asked.

"Ahh… I got a similar amulet as well. It has the ability to protect you from a sure-death attack or at least an attack that can cease your life. Keep it." Vincent answered.

He may have stated it in a simple manner but the truth is much more complicated. This amulet actually controls space.

When your life is in danger, the amulet will put you in another dimension for a brief moment to avoid a disaster. Once you're in the other dimension, you will still be able to see what was happening outside… During this time, you can prepare any magic or weapon until the time runs out and return to the original dimension…

From the outsider's perspective, your body will appear as if you've turned illusory and invincible but in truth, you're already in another dimension and only left an afterimage…

Of course, Ignacy can't indefinitely make this amulet as well. After all, its base material is called Torrential Sage Jade and it's a very rare type of jade…

They were mostly used by rich people as an ornament since it has no other known usage but in Ignacy's hands, who had mastered the Space Element, it can be a life-saving treasure that many people would covet.

"Ohhh… I can sense them now…" Rem suddenly spoke as she looked ahead of them.

Luna also concentrated as she gave a rare smile.

"It's not enemies, Sir Vincent. They're Number 778's team… Hmm… So they managed to recruit six Celestials this time. It's not bad considering they went to the desert."

"Really? The desert should be in the western region… They really went so far, huh."

"Yes… It seems that they also recruit a very strong Celestial." Luna added as her face suddenly turned serious.

"Is she higher ranked than you?" Vincent curiously asked.

Number 778 is the strongest in her three-man team so it was quite surprising that they managed to recruit a two-digit Celestial.

Even Luna and Rem only recruited Number 442 after some difficulty.

"Hmm… Probably… The other explanation is that she may have recovered 80% or 90% of her Celestial Energy." Luna answered.

After a few more minutes, Number 778's team finally arrived in front of the southern gate. The guards have already been informed so they immediately opened the gate after noticing their presence.

Above the city wall, Vincent saw Number 778 speak to the Celestial Being that is giving him under some pressure... This must be the Celestial that Luna was wary of.

"Do you know her?" Vincent softly asked.

"Yes… She's Number 18…" Luna answered and as soon as she said this, the other Celestials couldn't help but be surprised.

"That's Number 18? I heard that during the First Rapture, she managed to kill a guardian… Awesome! She's a very strong ally, Vincent." Rem suddenly said which surprised the other Celestials.

Normally, they are restricted to say anything related to the First and Second Rapture unless the person they were speaking to has started it. They can only confirm whether it is true or false and add a few details.

"The restriction doesn't work on you?" The newly recruited Celestials asked in surprise.

This time, however, it was Luna who answered them.

"The restriction will be gone if you continuously consume the serum that Vincent has been giving you. It will probably take a few months…"

"Ahh? Is there something like that?"

Not only the Celestials but Vincent was also surprised upon hearing that. The newly recruited Celestials then looked at Vincent like he was some sort of angel.

"Yes, I didn't mention it before since it doesn't seem to matter to you anyway..." Luna answered.

Vincent could only nod to this… Well, he wasn't really asking the Celestials about the aftereffects of the potions he's giving to them.

"We've returned, Sir Vincent."

Number 778 said as she approached Vincent's group.

Number 815 and 833 was beside her and seem very proud of their accomplishment.

Well, they managed to invite a high-ranking Celestial after all.

Vincent even wanted to ask how they recruited her… He was curious whether they killed her Contractor or just persuaded her…

​ 'I'll know it after asking the Celestial herself… I should be patient…' Vincent reminded himself.

"Ehem… You did well… I heard that you even went to the desert to recruit them… If you have any requests just tell me."

"Those serums, Sir Vincent. We don't need anything aside from those serums."

"They're potions… But alright, I'll give you plenty of them… For now, can you introduce these Celestials to us?"

Vincent asked as he looked at Number 18…

She has a strong aura around her and unlike the feminine and dangerously beautiful appearance of the Celestials, this woman appears more like a warrior, especially in the way she wears an adventurer's armor.