After reaching the maximum level, my "soft rice system" finally arrived.

"From the leaders of major countries and powers to ordinary people at the bottom, countless people have benefited from your kindness."

"Based on my observations... your online following is comparable to that of the Church of Dawn, enough to establish a completely new denomination... and the Church of Dawn might not even necessarily oppose it."

The ethereal words of the golden fairy girl echoed leisurely in the deserted dense forest.

"The title of deity is merely a label; it doesn't matter what you use. And with your strength, it's actually fine not to rely on the power of faith..."

"By simply dividing yourself, you can quickly establish projections in both worlds based on your faith and truly embark on the path to godhood."

"And relying on your accumulation at the legendary level... even if you have only just entered the realm of gods, your strength is not much inferior to those gods who have experienced thousands of years and left projections in many planes."

"At that time, it will be a leap in the essence of life, signifying eternity and immortality..."

"To become...within the multiverse, in infinite dimensions—"

"A truly important person..."

...........

The golden elf's cool voice held a captivating allure.

however--

Faced with the alluring vision of the future painted by their teacher...

Charles simply shook his head.

"teacher--"

"Immortality".

"Eternal and immortal".

"Even to become a major figure in some multiverse..."

"These......"

Is it really that important?

...........

Charles's words remained calm.

Charles had already examined his own conscience long before he even considered such a possibility.

Differentiate yourself and create projections in countless planes... then rely on the faith of the masses and believers to form an anchor point to consolidate your self-awareness.

That sounds really good...

But......

That image of themselves in the hearts of the people, the believers...

Is that really who I truly am?

In the eyes of the people of the Dawn World, this ravaged world after the Great Cataclysm was of no value to Charles, yet Charles still helped them so much without asking for anything in return...

He is a "hero of charity," a true savior with a compassionate heart, and can be considered a born saint.

In the eyes of most people on the Western Continent, Xia Er was an unparalleled, perfect genius... a chosen one of the world, favored by destiny and fate, born with great fortune, destined to be a towering figure who would usher in a new era...

but--

Ciel, however, knew that his true self was not like that.

He has many reasons for helping the Dawn World, including a fair share of his own selfish motives...

He brought so many changes to the Western Continent... mostly because of his longing for his homeland, he unconsciously wanted to transform it into the ideal place from his memories.

Objectively speaking, I can indeed be considered to be in the "orderly good" camp... but I am by no means as perfect and dazzling as outsiders imagine.

He would be so preoccupied with the insurmountable difficulties he encountered in perfecting the "pseudo-star" that he would toss and turn all night, unable to sleep...

They might also feel exhilarated and filled with a great sense of honor due to the successful experimentation with a forbidden spell or a breakthrough in a certain arcane field...

He enjoys showing off, so he specifically chose to present his quantum paper at the Arcane Council...

As an adventurer challenging the legendary Abyss Lord, Sharl would become anxious and worried when his companions, such as Sylvia and Isabella, were in life-or-death situations. This led to a mage rushing to the front lines and accidentally being swallowed by the Abyss Lord...

He revels in spying on his friends' web browsing history, even going so far as to personally gag Coutteau...

Even though he found it offensive, Ciel would still occasionally disguise himself and sneak into the "Interspecies Customs Appraisal Meeting" to observe...

This is the real Ciel, the one and only Ciel...

It is not something that can be made up for by the "God of Arcane Arts," the "Sage of Charity," or the "Chosen One of the Planes"... nor by any eternal and immortal figure in the multiverse.

...........

"teacher......"

"I don't know what the future holds..."

"Perhaps one day, when my lifespan is coming to an end, I may also become afraid of death and resort to any means to survive."

"Perhaps sometime in the future, after experiencing major changes, my current mindset will change, and I'll become calculating and subservient..."

"But that's not today."

"At this moment, I can be certain—"

"Whether it's the path to godhood... or eternal life, or even transcending planes to achieve a status parallel to the multiverse..."

"For me... nothing is as important as staying true to myself."

Charles looked at the golden elf before him and spoke slowly.

"and--"

"If I'm not mistaken..."

"Teacher, you and those gods who manifest in multiple dimensions... must be mortal enemies, right?"

Charles looked at the golden elf girl in front of him and spoke slowly and deliberately.

This conclusion is not difficult to reach...

It is evident in Vemus's past... and in the clues revealed in the world of Dawn.

"In that case..."

"No matter how good this road is, I won't take it."

...........

Vimers watched Ciel quietly, listening to his earnest reply, which echoed in her ears little by little.

Then, she suddenly laughed.

It was as if frost that had been frozen for a thousand years was melting away like ice and snow...

A smile appeared on the elegant face of the golden elf.

Like the moonflower that blooms only at midnight in the Starry Moon Forest, it is fleeting yet beautiful and dazzling.

"Just as I thought... this is the real you..."

For a fleeting moment, I actually had doubts about you...

"Looking back now, I realize that I was indeed... a little insecure about my judgment in choosing disciples."

The golden elf walked up to Ciel and stared directly into Ciel's eyes.

Those dark eyes were clear and bright, reminiscent of a deep, secluded pool...

His eyes were exactly the same as when he first met Ciel thirteen years ago.

"Close your eyes."

...........

Suddenly, Vemers' voice rang out.

Charles naturally didn't know the meaning behind his teacher's words, so after thinking for a moment without finding an answer, he subconsciously followed his teacher's instructions.

“I know... there are quite a few people of the opposite sex around you who are quite interested in you.”

"They come from different countries, have different identities, and are of different races... even the Twilight Witch from the Dawn World is no exception..."

"only......"

"Because of the demeanor you've always projected in front of them, that composure and confidence, and the kindness you've unconsciously shown them..."

"In their eyes, you always possess a mysterious, dreamlike aura..."

"That aura made many people less possessive in their love for you, and more admiring and respectful..."

"Even when obvious opportunities are right in front of them, they are always reluctant and afraid to break through that sacred and inviolable final barrier..."

The golden elf's low murmur faded away with the evening breeze that swept through the Star Moon Forest, unheard even by the shaman standing before him.

She walked around Charles twice, her crystal high heels landing softly on the loose soil with a soft "plop" sound.

With her crimson-gold eyes, Vimers slowly observed the tall and slender young wizard before her...

Thirteen years ago, it was she who personally brought the still-naive Ciel back to the Dark Tower...

Then, little by little, they cultivated an interest in arcane magic in that boy who was clearly exceptionally talented but addicted to slaughtering slimes and seemed indifferent to the world around him...