Sokram, still playing his part, had just found the key to using the Allseer’s Codex.

  The key was a summary on the last page, hidden in plain sight, right under everyone’s nose.

  The first thing he did was look at the Oghmah and search it in the Summary by Magic Books, “Page 4567, hm?”

  Sokram leafed through the pages, focusing his intent, and once he reached the page, there it was, Magnus Oghmah.

  [Magnus Oghmah – The Theory of all, a book said to carry the answer to every question about Magi one can have. Yet, not all can read it. Only the fated ones can find the key to unlock its knowledge.

  - Creation: The Magni Oghmah was created by Magnolia, personification of Magi, and the Records to guide the inquisitive minds of those with the right questions, and to mislead those only looking for power and treasures.

  - Misc: It’s said that if your heart is pure in your desire to follow the Path of Evolution and nothing more, the Magni Oghmah will be your map.

  Key: The key to the Oghmah is to decipher the riddle hidden on the borders of its covers.]

  “So I can only see what I lay my eyes upon, hm? Is it because my eyes only saw the book’s name, and not its contents, that I can read so little about it?” Sokram’s gaze wandered around thoughtfully, and then he looked down at the stony ground of the cold mountain peak.

  He quickly went to the summary and found the section named ‘Locations.’ Going to the right page, he discovered where he was:

  [Mount Wintry Horn – The third-highest mountain in the country of Norwinter, found in the province of Eversnow, in the northeast of the city.

  - Fauna: Mount Wintry Horn is home to White Apes, Ice Spiders, Hulking Cave Trolls, Griffons, but Great-Griffons can also be seen near the peak.

  - Misc: Many treasures can be found in its caves, as many adventurers have lost their lives exploring it.

  Known Map: …]

  Lines of black and white light wove together in the air before him, drawing a three-dimensional miniature image of the entire mountain.

  Red marks pulsed in the dark lines, marking nests with the names of the creatures that could be found there.

  Once the map dispelled, Sokram paused, then looked at his right hand and his Void Glove covering it, and decided to look it up.

  [ Void Glove of Drokmin – A piece of the armor set of the Legendary Dragon Emperor Drokmin.

  Function: A spatial device carrier, the first device of its kind. Enchanted with a sub-dimensional void, allowing for the storage of spatial devices.

  Though it is impossible to store a subspace in another subspace, Drok envisioned copying the Multi-Dimensional Plane, which, in theory, is a group of subspaces residing in the endless Void.

  - Composition: Each finger opening carries a ring that connects with the enchantment in the palm, and the arm ring in its cuffs carries an enchantment that converts the sub-space of the five rings into a sub-dimensional void, allowing the glove to carry sub-spaces in it.

  The enchantment in the palm allows the user to access the stored spatial rings’ sub-spaces without summoning the ring outside the glove.

  - Misc: The glove is part of an armor set that has another ten pieces.

  Like every other part of the armor set, this glove is also a key that unlocks the doors to the trial grounds in the tomb of the Dragon Emperor Drokmin di Draggonia vid Dracnakrid, located in the underground levels of the Mount Wintry Horn.

  The creator of the glove, Emperor Drokmin, was also a famous Biomancer and the only Emperor who united the entire Northern Continent, forming the Empire of Draggonia in the Northern Continent.]

  Sokram's grin broadened greedily, and this time his joy wasn’t just an act.

  He couldn’t believe his luck.

  But thinking again, maybe Mentyr, scheming as she was, did it on purpose? He didn’t know her motivations, but decided it was time for another step forward.

  Sokram looked up to the sky with conviction, “I don’t think I deserve that title after all. Because it’s hard to believe this is all a coincidence. But since you, Lady Nhiria, and Lady Mentyr decided to be my benefactors, please accept this Oath…”

  Sokram sliced his palm.

  The warm, crimson liquid life trickled down against the biting cold of the wind, dripping onto the frost-covered stone in rhythmic taps.

  Each drop carried Chaos Energy that hissed as it melted the pristine white snow. Steam curled from the snow as chaos and blood ate through frost.

  Looking at the skies, a confident smile on his lips, an unwavering glint in his gaze, he began:

  “I, Sokram di Dracony vid Dracnakrid, solemnly take this Oath before you, Nhiria, Guardian of our galaxy, and you, Mentyr, Star of the Nether, and to the beloved road that we tread, Path of Evolution.

  By my blood, heart, and power, I will forever dedicate my life to seeking the knowledge hidden in the Unknown and making it the foundation of my Evolution.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  And one day, when I reach the Star Palace, I will be your equal and strong enough to stand beside you proudly as a Grey Dragon and as an Eternal Seeker of Knowledge.

  Or may the Void swallow me eternally.”

  As soon as Sokram finished his Oath, an array formed around his feet.

  The array began spinning, and soon it was spinning so fast that it started generating heat and became fiery.

  The array expanded and rose, showering Sokram in analytical sparks that phased into his skin, scanning the very essence of his being until it passed over his head.

  And finally, it shrank to the size of a coin, and it shot toward his upper back.

  “Aaagh!”

  Sokram grunted as the searing agony of a branding molten iron pressed not only against his skin but, at the same time, directly into the core of his being.

  It wasn't mere heat; it was an absolute truth that burned, being carved into his spirit and assaulting his soul.

  But it only lasted a few seconds.

  When it was over, the array disappeared, only leaving a mark on his upper back.

  The mark pulsed once, like a heartbeat not his own, and Sokram could feel its connection to his Core.

  Then, for a brief moment, the air grew heavy and dense, oily even.

  The hair on his arms stood up, not from the cold, but from the crushing weight of attention. The sensation of being observed as six pairs of cosmic eyes locked on him.

  Entities so vast that his very existence felt like a meaningless speck of dust in comparison, shrinking to nothing beneath their gaze.

  Entities he knew very well, and definitely wasn’t ready to meet yet.

  As that passed, a screen popped up in front of him, Nhiria, and Mentyr:

  [The Oath of the Champion has been made to you, Nhiria, second born of Magnolia, First of the Grey Dragons, with the Child named Mentyr as a witness.

  Do you wish to accept the Child named Sokram as your Champion and the one who will lead your galaxy by your side during the trial of the Convergence of Galaxies once the doors to the Realm of the Kings open?]

  Nhiria’s eyes widened, her composure cracked, letting raw emotion spill through.

  “YES!” She exclaimed with all her heart.

  The word didn't just leave her lips. It came guttural.

  Ripping through the Star Palace, vibrating through the starlight walls, and sending a pulse of pure joy reverberating through the black hole’s silent void that encompassed it.

  Then a second screen appeared in front of Mentyr:

  [As the chosen witness, do you recognize that Child's potential to be the Champion of your Galaxy?]

  Mentyr also felt her heart leaping in elation as she answered, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

  Then another screen appeared in front of the three of them:

  [Sokram di Dracony vid Dracnakrid, you have been accepted by the Guardian of your Galaxy, Nhiria, as her first chosen Champion..

  Prepare yourself well, for the path ahead of you can only lead to two outcomes: Death or Evolution.

  As the first chosen Champion of your Universe, I, Eva the Spirit of Evolution, praise your courage, for I am proud to be the road that leads you to your future.

  I grant you the Title of First Champion of Evolution.

  May your accomplishments honor this name I have bestowed upon you, Godspeed.]

  Similarly, in Nhiria’s and Mentyr’s messages, they were praised for finding the next step on their own Path of Evolution.

  Suddenly, the ambient mana around every Galactic Guardian in the universe froze.

  A sharp, alarming ping, seemingly resonating from the depths of their souls, echoed in their minds, commanding absolute attention.

  That was a universal message. One that promised an uproar among Nhiria’s siblings because only the Guardians of each galaxy and a few other entities on the same level received it:

  [Universe 234.567.089.098 – The Guardian, Nhiria, gave yet another step forward down the Path of Evolution ahead of all other Guardians and accepted the pledge of one of her children to become her Galactic Champion solely by inspiring sincere loyalty in his heart.

  Triggered by the natural and fated rise of the first Champion, the alignment of the galaxies will now commence, preparing for the universal convergence of all galaxies to open the Road of the Ruler toward the Realm of the Kings.

  Be prepared, for those without Champions will be free to be invaded and conquered.

  However, those who, like Nhiria, can inspire sincere loyalty in your children’s hearts and raise Champions, will be able to fight by their side for the right to enter the Road of the Rulers.

  This is my decree as the one who houses all life, the Multi-Dimensional Plane of Existence, Godspeed.]

  As soon as Nhiria finished reading the message, space warped and rippled.

  Five tears in reality opened before her throne, spilling power that forced even the Paragons and Nether Lords to freeze in both fear and awe.

  When the spatial distortion faded and the ripples settled, five figures stood where there had been only air.

  Two of them mirrored Nhiria in both forms. The humanoid, with rosy skin, long raven hair, and silvery grey eyes that shone with tinges of blue.

  Perfect bodies, and beautiful beyond belief.

  The draconic with gray scales and gargantuan forms, bigger than the black hole around the palace.

  They, like her, were Grey Dragons.

  Besides them, there were two beings cast in living gold like statues, from their eyes, skin, long hair, and elven ears, to their attire.

  Still, they were moving and breathing. They were the Sunborne Twins.

  And lastly, behind all of them, a cloaked entity, seemingly with a very curvy, feminine body hidden under the dark, hooded robe.

  Yet her presence emitted an eerie feeling of emptiness and darkness.

  She didn't merely radiate power like the others; she devoured the Magi around her with each breath.

  The light reflected from the Sunborne Twins dimmed in her vicinity, absorbed by the void of her presence, leaving an eerie cold in the hall, causing every soul that lay eyes on her to shiver.

  “Oh… my brothers and sisters. To what do I owe the honor of such an illustrious visit?” Nhiria didn’t hide the victorious smirk tugging at her lips as she greeted her siblings.

  Narak, who looked like her male version, didn’t bother with pleasantries and went straight to business.

  “What did you do? Who is your Champion?! What did he do?!!” His voice struck thunder, reverberating through the hall.

  Then another woman, very similar to Nhiria, just with shorter hair, and despite no visual cues, she felt younger.

  Nyxtra stepped forward, smiling at her big sister, pleadingly, “Please, sister, forgive our middle brother for his rudeness. It’s been a few millennia since we last spoke. How have you been?”

  “I’ve been fine, Nyxtra. What about you?” Nhiria greeted her youngest, the youngest among the Grey Dragons.

  “I’m fine, it’s been hard having to restart from scratch since your children annihilated mine during the Age of Expansion." A flicker of old sorrow crossed her eyes, quickly smothered by her gentle smile.

  "But it’s fun seeing them grow freely in their own galaxy,” Nyxtra spoke sincerely, and without any resentment in her voice.

  “I’m happy for you, but saddened it had to come to that. Our children can be very greedy.” Nhiria spoke humbly, looking at her Paragons and Nether Lords.

  “We have no time to lose, spill it! What did you do?!” Narak, the third-born and now Second of the Grey Dragons, impatiently pushed for an answer.

  “Sigh… You three are still the same bickering children I always loved, hm?” The voice came from the cloaked entity who stood at the back, behind everyone.

  Nhiria had noticed her but didn’t recognize her at first.

  Yet, her voice was soft, worn by eons of time.

  It hit Nhiria and the other Grey Dragons harder than a physical blow.

  An unforgettable voice that carried the nostalgia of their birth, the memory of a time before the dawn of their universe, from before time had a name.

  Nhiria’s vision blurred with a sudden surge of unstoppable tears.

  “Yish?!” Both Grey Dragons and the Sunborne Twins turned to her, static and flabbergasted.