Scientific Wizard

"Who I am doesn't matter, does it? Rol... What matters is the reputation of the Star of Magic. All the honor and status you've enjoyed, they've been bestowed upon you by me," declared Ogest, beguilingly.

(TL/n - Star of Magic is the title Ogest obtained for being the youngest Grand Wizard in Greenville.)

"Merely a change in titles. You can still serve as an assistant, or perhaps, 'bishop' suits better..." Ogest suggested, undeterred, as he continued to inhabit this body. He found it easy to navigate and handle matters efficiently during this time. He didn't mind the extra effort in words.

But Rol gaped, utterly shocked, murmuring incessantly to himself, "This can't be..."

Rol couldn't accept that everything he knew was false. The Star of Magic, the knowledgeable mentor Ogest, was merely an illusion.

Observing Rol's stunned expression, Ogest shook his head. It seemed he had overestimated the other's willpower and capacity for acceptance.

"Restraint." Ogest pointed towards Rol. Considering that after turning Greenville into a divine realm he could forcibly convert the other into his followers, he didn't intend to kill him.

Having done all this, Ogest then glanced around the control room, where a transparent crystal lay atop an alchemical apparatus in the center.

He didn't approach directly; this was the final trap.

Ogest opened his mouth, articulating a convoluted incantation.

The elements in the void seemed to respond to a summoning, transforming into the purest form of magical energy that surged into the transparent crystal, illuminating it with a cerulean light.

The crystal shattered with a resounding crack, revealing the condensed "Magic Core" inside—the very object he sought.

Crafted by the "Magic Artisan" Victor, it held vast magical power capable of sustaining the entire city of wizards.

If not for harnessing a portion of Fayz's power and memories in the Realm of Apocalypse and manipulating the Council's defenses using the guise of the Cult of Apocalypse, he wouldn't have qualified to reach here.

After all, he still lacked the power to contend with the alliance of several legendary wizards.

Thankfully, everything unfolded as he had anticipated.

"Realm of Apocalypse - The Godly Realm arrives." Ogest reached out, seizing the Magic Core. Empowered by the immense magical energy stored within, his strength surged rapidly.

Eerie spirits with grotesque visages materialized within the spacious control room.

Whether individuals transformed years ago by soul-devouring magic or the wizards devoutly worshipping elemental spirits, upon death, their souls would be harvested, becoming a part of his power, augmenting his spiritual prowess.

With both merging, he could now unleash this legendary divine magic.

This time, the blood-red space almost solidified, intertwining with reality and swiftly expanding into the distance, soon shrouding the entire Sun Crown Tower.

Blissfully immersed in his joy, Ogest failed to notice the subtle changes in his appearance, gradually drawing closer to that idol of the malevolent deity.

In his mind, a chorus of voices echoed.

"Great Elemental Spirit, grant us salvation..."

"Kill them, exterminate them all..."

"Your loyal servants beseech your mercy, punish those who defy the gods."

"The Apocalypse is false, elemental spirits are nonexistent..."

Ogest's countenance darkened instantly. Amidst the cacophony of pleas, he surmised that there was trouble brewing in the estate.

Unexpectedly, Kashimo, equipped with an instrument capable of harnessing some divine realm power, couldn't handle such a minor issue.

At least, it bought him some time; the Godly Realm had descended.

***

"What in the world is happening?"

Just as Raphael and the others stepped into the Sun Crown Tower, a streak of crimson light rushed toward them, engulfing the entire tower in a bloody hue.

"Perhaps it's best if we leave," Yulande spat. His encounter within the Realm of Apocalypse had left him jittery.

"It's too late. It's not just this tower that's affected..." Lynn shook his head, peering through the wide-open window at the rapidly spreading crimson glow outside.

Clearly different from earlier events, they weren't simply drawn into a confined space. It remained uncertain if his realm of magic could manifest itself in the real world in such a way.

"Whoever's responsible, once we take them down, it'll all end."

The one speaking was a morphologist wizard, also one of the leaders in the assault on the Cult of Apocalypse. But compared to Lynn and the others, they had only apprehended some scattered cult members fleeing in all directions.

"You still enjoy spouting unrealistic nonsense, Sanchez."

Within the Sun Crown Tower, a disinterested voice chimed in. Subsequently, a figure bathed in radiant light emerged from the void, addressing the assembled people. "Welcome to my Godly Realm..."

"Ogest?." Despite the slight alteration in appearance, Sanchez recognized him instantly, his surprise palpable.

Not having seen him at the estate, Sanchez had harbored some ill predictions, but the revelation that the entire Cult of Apocalypse was Ogest's creation was beyond belief.

"Have you lost your mind, Ogest?." Raphael, equally incredulous, exclaimed.

As the Star of Magic, the most prodigious wizard in all of Greenville, Ogest possessed all glory and a promising future. Even Harof, upon departing Greenville, explicitly designated Ogest as the acting Speaker. It was evident; his ascension to becoming the sixth legendary Speaker was merely a matter of time.

No one would have ever thought such a person capable of betraying the Council.

Yulande and Philip, among others, even questioned if they were hallucinating.

"I think I'm quite well, Raphael." Ogest wore a smile on his face, as courteous as ever. "Better than ever."

"What exactly do you want?." Raphael demanded in a low voice.

"As you see, I am preparing to turn Greenville into a Godly Realm, and I shall ascend to the divine throne, becoming the second to transcend the limits of a wizard." Ogest relished this moment of glory. As the Godly Realm expanded, so did his power, rapidly escalating.

"Raphael, Sanchez, if you're wise... I might consider accepting your faith and grant you positions as cardinals."