Unlike Darkness Bloom, Crystal Palace was a defensive skill that created a palace and sustained it indefinitely using just a small amount of mana and spirit. When attacked, it consumed more mana to defend and repair any damage sustained. Simply put, it was a perfect skill to leave his body within while he incarnated in the world.
He sat down on the plush chair inside the throne room and pondered his next step. He could stay and cultivate since spirit energy was available here, but he felt both its quality and quantity were lacking. It was just energy slipping past the barrier.
After looking around, he found the palace was just that—a grand structure with furnished rooms and gothic-style architecture. Here, he was the lord; he could move with just a thought and even move objects the same way.
After a few hours, he decided to continue with the ritual. Once finished creating the circle, he noticed it was somewhat similar to the one he created with Khos and that summoned him to Reprise's domain—though only about 30% similar. This ritual performed a reverse summoning of just the spirit soul, not body and soul. More material was required here, since the other end would need to create a body. The materials he had were only low-level monster corpses. He decided to use them all, hoping for the best possible body on the other side, as he did not know when he would be strong enough to slip inside with his demi-god body.
He had little control over his characteristics; they would be based on his soul.
Completing preparations, he triggered the summoning and began reciting the ritual's first incantation:
"Water, fire, earth, air, and boundless sky,
mingled with the scattered bones of distant stars,
by these elements, I shape my plea."
The circle below him glowed with a faint, soft orange light, and the surrounding crystal palace room dimmed with each passing second. Deciding to continue, he recited the next two verses:
"With my soul as offering and my life as fuel,
I lay my wish upon the altar of the cosmos."
"Hear me and descend me to the mortal earth,
bearing a shard of my soul below,
and with the sacrifice I have given,
forge for me a vessel worthy of my return."
An acute pain rocked his whole body, forcing him down on all fours, heaving like a beast. His heart ached fiercely, and Alex clutched his chest as if he would die within the next second.
The pain was not only physical but much deeper—like someone was digging inside his bones.
Time passed, and at some point, he passed out. When he regained consciousness, he was disoriented, surrounded by dancing lights. It felt like standing in a laser show with beams pointing at him.
Once stabilized, he understood the ritual had succeeded. He was traveling through the world in a soul body, already inside the boundary and falling toward his destination decided by fate.
What made him wary was that he was not alone. Many travelers, similar to him, floated all around—some glowing like stars, others dull in various colors.
Among them, four white lights shone brightly some distance away, distinct from the others that were tinted with single defined color. Even in this form, he could feel power radiating from them.
Deciding to observe, he slowly moved closer and, to his luck, he was able to control his descent. He increased his sideways speed toward them, reaching them in what felt like hours to days.
But he had counted his stars too soon. As he approached within a few meters, a force like a truck hit him, knocking him unconscious. Before fading into oblivion, he saw himself moving with the four lights, as if a fifth train bogie attached to the group of 4, then his mind dissolved into peaceful dreams. If he still had a body, he would have smirked, knowing he had meddled and changed his fate—for better—if he could reach the place where these fated souls were bound.
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Alex woke up refreshed. Opening his eyes, he found himself lying on a platform. Looking up, he saw the grand cosmos bare in its beauty, covering all directions. The platform was sturdy, adorned with intricate tiles and painted with various scenes of worship and history, giving the place a peaceful and grandiose atmosphere.
Getting up, he looked around and saw a few boys and girls doing the same. A voice came from a stage on one side of the platform, attracting everyone's attention. A man floated above it, an ethereal, regal figure radiating divine light from his eyes.
Everyone gathered near the floating being, trying to make sense of their situation.
After listening to murmurs, Alex discovered that an entire class of high schoolers had been transported here—it was an IRL high school summoning!
"Welcome, brave heroes from a distant world! I am Servester, deity who watches over this realm," the man said, opening his hands wide.
"Our world faces grave peril—demons have declared war on the innocent. At the heartfelt request of the Human Kingdom and my devout followers, I have called upon you young heroes—courageous warriors—to aid in defending these lands.
As otherworlders, you shall be honored guests, granted high status and respect—both in society and in your individual powers. Your arrival brings hope and strength. Together, we will stand against the darkness and restore peace."
Alex observed the mixed expressions around him: joy, horror, determination, then joy again. Deity's voice seemed to affect others and he was somehow protected.
"Hey system, you there? Hello, where is this place?" Alex shouted in his mind but received no reply.
"Looks like I won't get my queries answered without connecting back to my real self," he thought.
Although the ritual promised this body would be as real as the original, with all skills available—just watered down—and level-ups done thought this body will be transferred regularly to real body at intervals, he still needed to test those claims. Due to the current situation he wasn't in capacty to do so, a situation he had brought upon himself by meddling with divine beings despite Reprise's warnings.
What he did not know was that changes in his soul made him more resistant to the pressure gods naturally radiated, even affecting nearby auras due to the strength of his emotions, making him behave as their equal.
Though pondering many thoughts, he could hear 27 others standing in groups of seven, except the last group which had six. He stood some distance away, alone.
They shouted things like, "How dare demons attack us! We will enslave or kill them to prove our superiority!" They were clearly not in their right minds after hearing Servester's words.
"Enough, children of another world. Now listen: I shall grant you powers befitting human heroes."
Twenty-eight lights appeared with his words, rushing to each person and entering their bodies.
A wave of euphoria spread through everyone's minds as power surged through their veins.
After a few minutes, everyone came to their senses and thanked Servester.
"The power I have given you allows you access to this world's system. Think about your attributes and assign a trigger word to the feeling, for first time I will support you. Next time, thinking that word will trigger your attribute panel.
Once done, come and place your hands on this stone, one by one, to verify your status."