"You absorbed the powers of our Arcana?" Never in the world did Azzy expect that he will do something like that. Absorbing the powers of Arcana is like killing them.
When he was first time-traveled to the past, the Reaper had told him about the original deal between him and the past Vajra. It was to trap the Vajra's soul in the Soul Sealing Urn for eternity and destroy the Protos energy while transferring all the remaining energy into soul power, which would have made him a genuine rank-7 Arcana Master with 30-40 million soul power.
If the wolf will give him that much strength, then, what if the entire Protos energy has been absorbed along with stripping the powers of a Deity living in the mindscape?
"This is how he became a Demi-god?" Azzy couldn't help but wonder.
Azzy asked him the reason for doing that, to which the older Azrael calmly answered, "It should be man's right to determine his own future, Azrael."
He added, "Not some deity who plans your future to fulfill his ambitions and not some goddess of fate living out there in the heavens and dictating our lives like she was the one that created us."
Although his older self was calm as he replied, for some reason, Azzy felt like this man sitting before him, hates the daughter of the Death as if there was enmity.
Maybe it is because they were one and the same. That is why he could feel a few things that others couldn't. His earlier words also indicated a slight hatred for the Reaper.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIt made Azzy wonder whether there's an unforeseen event occurring in the future that will change him.
The thought of his parents skipped his heartbeat for a second and Azzy couldn't hold it in his mind any longer. "Can you tell me whether I will save mother and father?"
The older Azrael went into a daze for a second, remembering the incident of his past. His heart was saying to tell him the truth that was going to happen but his brain was telling him to not take the risks regarding the timeline.
When he realized his duty for keeping the timeline intact above everything and everyone else, he understood why his future self appeared to be troubled back then.
In the end, he decided to tell the same thing about his past life that he heard from his future self.
As the older Azrael stared at Azzy in silence with hesitation, a look of worry appeared on Azzy. He was afraid to hear that something will happen to them.
Taking a deep breath, the older Azrael answered, "You will see them once you returned to your timeline."
Although it isn't exactly the answer that he wanted, Azzy was satisfied and let out a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, the older Azrael once again continued by explaining the time travel, "then, let's get back to the topic, shall we. Now, as a time traveler, you must be knowledgeable about the history of the timeline that you traveled to. So, you should often read the history books whenever you get the chance…"
Azzy continued to listen with great concentration. Now that he knew his parents would be saved, he felt his heart and mind as light as a feather.
He asked the questions occasionally from time to clear his doubts and the older Azrael explained every detail with patience.
Since the time practically has stopped, no one knows how long the meeting took place. It is about to come to an end with his older self imparting him a seal as a present just like how he got it.
The older Azrael's hand is on Azzy's forehead. Mystic black runes and symbols appeared on his forehead, connected by a thread of dark energy. After the mystical seal has been formed, it disappeared.
"Remember this very well. You can only use this seal once. So, don't use it unless you don't have any way out." The Older Azrael warned him in a serious tone.
Since Azzy already heard of what that seal can do, he pretty much decided not to use it on anyone unless the situation forces him to.
"Okay, now that I have said everything I want, it's time that I leave. We'll meet again once you enter the Exalt realm (Rank-7). There are certain duties I must pass on to you then. Now, it is not the time to do that.
Anyway, before I go, do you have any other questions you would like to ask? I know you have one that you have yet to voice out. So, you can speak it now." The older Azrael purposely asked him because this is also one of the turning points in his life.
Just like the older Azrael mentioned, Azzy indeed has a few questions in his mind, which are irrelevant, so, he didn't ask them. Now that the opportunity arises, he asked him, "Is it okay to for me have a normal life in this timeline?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe older Azrael let out a bright smile and nodded, "Yes, and as I have told you before. This history won't be erased just because you returned to the present. Although your appearance will be forgotten, people still remember there's a person named Azrael that fought with them, spent time with them, loved them, or hate them.
But, it will be your choice to make them remember the past and expose your time travel ability or leave them alone. And if you want my advice on your personal life, please do consider Claire's feelings. After all, you are destined together just like Life and Death."
"Eh?" Azzy was stunned upon listening to his future self's statement. He never thought of Claire in the first place. He just wanted to know whether he should continue his friendship with the teammates that got closer within the past few weeks or he should keep his distance from them.
As if the earlier explanation wasn't shocking enough, the older Azrael proceeded to take out a thin glass looking like an object and click on it.
A holographic screen projection appeared before Azzy's eyes. He saw the picture of an older Azzy who look like a 17-18-year-old, an adult Claire looking like she's in her 30s, and a rather handsome looking young man standing between them. "My wife and my son…"
Azzy was in complete shock that he missed the expression of sadness on the older Azrael as he stared at the picture.
Keeping back his mobile phone into the pocket, the older Azrael sighed as he thought, "I don't want to force the feelings on my younger self like this but my duty towards the timeline is more important."
The image of his future family caused turmoil in Azzy's heart. At the moment, he resented his future self a little bit for showing him the unnecessary future. Even if he marries Claire, Azzy wanted to do that because he loves her, not because it happens in the future and not because they were destined.
Meanwhile, Azrael finally said goodbye to his younger self with a warning, "well, I only hope that I don't meet my younger self for the twenty-fifth time… Good luck…"
As the Demi-God disappeared, the time resumed and Azzy had a disturbed look on his face.