Conversation in the Void

The stars bloomed in unison, the void echoed in response, and the vast, sweeping proclamation resonated throughout the boundless starry sky, demonstrating the power of an unknown existence to the stunned Ryan.

Ryan became increasingly vigilant; there was no doubt that the entity calling itself the "Titan Star Soul" had spoken its true name.

However, in the world of Faerûn, noble names contained the power of those great beings. Chanting the name of a true god could genuinely draw the gaze of a deity—though whether a benevolent reward or a punitive lightning bolt would follow was anyone's guess.

Undoubtedly, the fact that a mere name could cause the void to tremble and the stars to respond meant this Titan Star Soul was at least on par with some of the lesser gods. Dealing with such a titan among titans, Ryan maintained the utmost caution and wariness.

As the saying goes, a mushroom born in the morning does not know the evening, and a cicada does not know the spring and autumn.

Compared to such a magnificent life form, a human attempting to seek empathy from it was as ridiculous as an ant begging for understanding beneath the feet of a giant.

As if perceiving Ryan's inner guard and vigilance, the purple crystal core situated among the stars flashed with light, and a heavy, majestic consciousness resonated once more:

"Enough. Regardless of the world, you humans always love to categorize races and judge good from evil based on outward appearance."

"For the sake of our subsequent conversation, I shall communicate with you in a human form."

As the words fell, the brilliant crystal core in the vast sea of stars lit up. Layers of shimmering, flickering, and gorgeous radiance ignited one after another among the stars, and a figure suddenly appeared before Ryan.

Flowing, iridescent crystal-like hair cascaded over its shoulders. Its moon-white robe was both archaic and magnificent, and its face was handsome and noble. Purple-gold eyes reflected the brilliant starry sky, and within those shimmering pupils, it seemed as if an entire sea of stars was hidden.

A magnificent, invisible aura radiated from the figure before Ryan, and the heavy pressure, combined with the solemn expression on its face, caused the entire starry sky to dim in comparison.

The only incongruity was the jarring contrast of such a serious and majestic expression appearing on the face of a child with features as delicate as carved jade.

Indeed, the Titan Star Soul, Skylight, who had appeared before the mage, was in human form, a mere child.

Ryan's eyelid twitched slightly. Good grief, is this old monster playing the child to lower my hostility?

I admit your tactic worked. I'm not as nervous anymore, just a bit speechless and feeling a faint, dull ache in my gut.

"Put away your rude gaze and speculations, mage. Among our kin, based on the age at which I gained consciousness, I am indeed still a child."

Although the Titan Star Soul's instinct to see through hearts and souls was useless against a Planeswalker, Skylight could still guess the mage's thoughts from his subtle facial expressions and retorted irritably.

"My apologies, it was my shallowness. To possess such powerful strength at such a young age, you must be exceptionally gifted. I was merely blinded by appearances."

Having his thoughts exposed, Ryan felt quite embarrassed. While apologizing, he didn't forget to offer a wave of flattery. Flattery is never out of place; when under someone else's roof, bowing to a big shot is no shame.

Who says a child of ten thousand years isn't a child, right?

Ryan silently complained to himself, forcing himself to accept this premise. A star soul born from the gestation of a planet over ten thousand years being in its infancy—that was perfectly reasonable.

"Hmph, considering you are the first entity to communicate with me in hundreds of years, and that you have a decent eye, I shall forgive your presumption."

Skylight felt a bit guilty. The modification of the master's Neutron Star Fortress and the Alaya-version Protoss Evolution Tree were things he had begged for by clinging to his master's leg. How could things obtained through his own "strength" not count as talent?

Yes, that's right. I, the Titan Star Soul, Skylight, am exceptionally gifted!

"Lord Star Soul, I would like to ask, what is going on with this trial?"

"And why was I teleported here? Wasn't there talk of a reward for the second trial earlier?"

Up to this point, the Titan Star Soul had been quite amiable. Although he didn't know where this inexplicable goodwill came from, it didn't stop Ryan from being cautious while simultaneously trying to climb the social ladder.

The mage decisively threw his questions at Skylight. At this moment, Ryan didn't forget to pursue the whereabouts of his missing reward.

"You speak of the trial? I changed the difficulty."

"However, I must admit, you are even more outstanding than I imagined."

"Especially the brilliance of that final shot; this Star Soul does not feel wronged by losing to it."

Speaking of the trial, Skylight revealed the inside story with a nonchalant air, praising the mage's performance.

However, Ryan was not ecstatic about the recognition from a big shot. The young man took a light breath, wore a smile, and asked in a gentle voice:

"Hoo~ So, that spiritual phantom I fought was you, my lord? And those strange and interesting tests were all designed by you?"

"Of course. This Star Soul has carefully studied all the records and rare books left by the master in the Tower of Babel. I am well-versed in the design and construction of all dungeons and demon castles, and I have carefully compared and explored the ways of adventure between different worlds."

Mentioning his proud trial designs, the Star Soul's face was full of pride and self-satisfaction.

It's hard, it's hard—my fists are hardening.

I knew those trials weren't meant for normal people to experience. As expected, these hellish operations really couldn't be cooked up by a carbon-based life form!

In the young man's inner theater, the indignant mage raised his fists and frantically hammered the air in front of him in a fit of impotent rage.

"With the mechanical and rigid logic of the Tower Spirit of the Tower of Babel, this Star Soul can invade its logic modules with a mere thought. Tampering with the trial program is a piece of cake."

"As for the trials, Dunblinton is a blockhead for letting the Tower Spirit preside over the inheritance trials."

"The Tower Spirit is just a caretaker; it doesn't know the first thing about trials!"

"In fact, little one, you are much more outstanding than I imagined."

"In the Virtual Martial Arena, after you dodged the Lightning Bolt, the trial was considered complete by the Tower Spirit's judgment."

"It's just that I wanted to see the limits of your strength. After all, in Faerûn, Planeswalkers are not a common sight."

Watching the subtle, unreadable smile on Skylight's handsome little face, Ryan suppressed the rising anger in his heart, comforting himself that it wasn't worth getting angry—after all, he couldn't win.

Ryan stared at Skylight with a gloomy gaze for a moment. Having weighed their respective combat strengths, Ryan decided to swallow his pride. After secretly adding Skylight's name to his little notebook, he decisively skipped the topic.

"What do you mean by the 'Planeswalker' you mentioned?"

Although he knew his identity as a Planeswalker had been seen through, Ryan still wanted to extract more information from Skylight.

"Planeswalkers are beings like you who have awakened their Spark. They travel across the endless Multiverse, observing, recording, contemplating, and learning from everything they see and hear, using the experience and knowledge gathered along the way to increase their own power.

You should have already experienced the wonder of this power—traveling through the Multiverse, exploring the cosmos, and pursuing the truth."

Skylight did not doubt him, kindly explaining to Ryan.

A Planeswalker apprentice who has only recently awakened their Spark and is still in a stage of confusion? I wonder if he can become the existence I hope for?

Looking at the youth through the unique vision of a Star Soul, where his soul, brilliant as a diamond, was obscured by a leaping, burning Spark, thoughts flashed through Skylight's Star Core.

"Mage, after you awakened your Spark, have you ever been to a blue planet?"

After finishing the general introduction to Planeswalkers, the Titan Star Soul suddenly asked, staring at Ryan's expression with great interest.

Ryan felt a stir in his heart upon hearing this, thinking to himself that the main event had finally arrived.

"I spent a few years learning on a planet the locals called Earth. That world was very peaceful and comfortable; people did not possess powerful magic, but instead, a miraculous power called technology reigned supreme.

I learned many things on that magical land. I am not sure if it is the place you are referring to."

Ryan fabricated his experiences, answering Skylight with a sincere expression that was half-truth and half-falsehood.

"As I thought. You are very lucky, Mage."

Skylight seemed to have obtained the information he wanted from Ryan's words, sighing with a sense of listlessness.

"Lucky? How so?"

Ryan's curiosity was piqued.