A Certain Multiverse's Holy Right

Roy opened his eyes once more.

It felt as if he had spent these past days in a constant cycle of closing and reopening them, shuttling between different realms and states of being.

He found himself back in the desert where he had slain Michael. The blazing sun scorched the sky, yet its intense light no longer harmed his eyes. Beneath him, the burning sands radiated heat, but his body no longer felt pain from the temperature.

Roy knew he had changed. He had transcended, rising from an unranked magician to a Campione, a god-slayer capable of rivaling the divine.

He pushed himself up from the ground, taking note of his tattered clothes. The only reason he wasn't stark naked in the desert was due to the protective layer created by the original Book of the Law. Without it, even as a Campione, he would've faced the embarrassment of standing exposed under the sun.

Lowering his gaze, Roy recalled his experience in the Boundary of Life and Immortality. To his surprise, he could vividly remember everything that had happened with Pandora—her expressions, her teasing words, and even the warmth of her lips. The memory was so fresh it was almost tangible.

"Even her startled look when I… well," Roy murmured to himself, his lips curving into an amused smirk.

"Aleister had an extensive understanding of 'phases.' The 'Boundary of Life and Immortality' you reached is a kind of phase. Since you've fully grasped Aleister's Book of 777, you're naturally capable of resisting the negative influences of such dimensions."

The static-laden voice of Aiwass cut through his thoughts, answering the unspoken question lingering in his mind.

The Book of 777 was a philosophical masterpiece born from Aleister's "Beast" ideology. It contained no explicit magic rituals but encapsulated Aleister's esoteric philosophy. Fully comprehending it had not directly granted Roy power but provided him with the theoretical framework to confront Aleister's imaginary phase directly.

More importantly, the Book of 777 offered Roy the opportunity to create his own powerful rituals—just as Aleister had created his signature Blasting Rod. Until now, Roy had been a philosopher without practical skills—a giant in thought but a dwarf in action.

But that had changed. With the successful slaying of a god and the completion of Pandora's ritual which used Circle of Usurpation, Roy had crossed the threshold. He now possessed both wisdom and the ability to act.

"Aiwass, did you follow me into that phase?" Roy asked, curious.

"Once I sensed your 'spirit' entering that phase, I went to observe and ensure your safety."

Roy raised a brow at her unusually protective tone. "Ensuring my safety, huh? You're sounding oddly sentimental, Aiwass."

"Her position is too low to notice my presence," Aiwass replied simply, referring to Pandora.

Roy nodded. That single statement underscored the vast gulf between Aiwass, an angel from a higher phase of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, and the entities in this world, including Pandora and its Heretic Gods.

"This world is unique," Aiwass remarked. "The woman called Pandora crafted a ritual perfectly aligned with the essence of this realm. However, her work is flawed—she could've done much better, but this is the extent of her capacity."

Aiwass's tone lacked contempt or mockery, yet her words conveyed a clear sense of superiority. She had dissected the ritual which used Circle of Usurpation at a glance, identifying its core and pinpointing its flaws—something Roy had struggled to grasp despite his efforts.

It was no surprise. Aiwass symbolized the number 93, embodying the preservation and dissemination of knowledge as the Secret Chief.

"Can you fully analyze Pandora's ritual? Could you… improve it?" Roy asked, intrigued by the possibility.

"Theoretically, yes. It's merely a 'ritual magic' tailored to this world's rules. However, understanding the nuances of this world's variables would require time and observation. Each world differs greatly in its constants and variations."

Aiwass's metallic voice softened slightly as she continued, "But even without your request, Roy, I would explore it. I am always fascinated by the unknown and the curious."

Roy chuckled. "Like me and Aleister, huh? Curiosity drives you to observe, even if it means stepping into the fray yourself."

He wasn't accusing her—his tone was calm and matter-of-fact. Aiwass didn't respond, but her actions had already spoken for her.

"Enough about that. Let's see what powers I've gained as a Campione," Roy muttered, shifting his focus. Pandora's ritual could be a long-term project, but his immediate concern was the authority he had seized from Michael.

Closing his eyes, Roy attuned himself to the changes within his body.

A surge of immense energy coursed through him—a colossal reserve of "divine power," or high-density magic power. His physical form had undergone significant changes as well, the most notable being his magic resistance. Lesser spells could no longer harm him, and even grand magic would be heavily diminished in effectiveness.

This was the reason mortal magic couldn't challenge Heretic Gods. Their near-absolute resistance rendered most magical attacks useless.

In contrast, Roy's physical resistance hadn't improved as dramatically. His stamina and strength now far exceeded human limits but remained theoretically attainable for mortals with rigorous training.

In short, his physical abilities were superhuman but still human.

But the strength of a Campione wasn't in their physical prowess. It was in the Authorities they stole from gods.

The moment Roy completed the ritual, he instinctively understood the nature of his powers and how to wield them.

"The Authority a Campione receives is influenced by their personality and compatibility with the god they slay. Even if two Campione kill the same god, the powers they gain will differ..."

Roy couldn't help but smirk. "And given my connection to the number seven, it seems fitting, doesn't it?"

His face took on a peculiar expression. The Book of 777, Aleister's work, was a philosophical critique of Christianity's perfectionist ideals. Yet Roy had slain Michael, the most exalted angel in Christian mythology, closely tied to the divine number seven.

In doing so, Roy had gained seven distinct Authorities. The breadth and potency of these abilities were staggering, even to him. However, as with the protagonist of Campione, the sheer quantity of powers came with usage restrictions.

Each of the seven powers had its own name and purpose. After some thought, Roy decided:

"Michael is the One Like God, seated at God's right hand and equal in glory. In Christian tradition, the right hand symbolizes equal dignity and power. In that spirit, I'll call these seven Authorities Holy Right."