Codex Null: Simulation Through Madness

[You died.]

Tapping on the desk, Noel, with his eyes fixed on the two words —You died — couldn't help but contemplate the development of this simulation.

And he couldn't help but feel like it was simply perfect.

It was the most satisfying simulation so far, and what's more, he had even achieved his goal.

The problem was that achieving his goal had led to his death. Neither his Regeneration and Soul Recovery Talent, nor all the preparations Selena and Lilith had made, nor even Edith's interference, seemed able to prevent it.

He had already suspected that there was a problem with the relic sealed inside him. But that it could be dangerous to this extent… he hadn't actually anticipated.

At last, he understood why everyone had been against him healing his soul.

Because, really, the situation seemed helpless.

Or maybe not?

Noel took a deep breath and moved his gaze further down, to the choice he had yet to see.

[The simulation is over. You can choose two of the following:]

[1: Boundless Soul (Ascended Talent)]

[2: Strengthened Soul (Completely Healed Soul)]

[3: Strengthened Physical Strength (Second Stage of the Blood Refinement Path)]

[4: Strengthened Blood (Assimilated Blood Source)]

[5: Initial Mastery over Blood Scripture]

[6: Memory of this Simulation]

Exhaling slowly, Noel's eyes glowed intensely as he saw the first choice.

Ascended Talent.

From the name alone, it was clearly a tier above Formed Talent. And thematically, it fit almost too well.

Seedling, Rooted, Formed… and then Ascended.

It was the natural progression, the perfect continuation.

Moving on, his gaze fell on the actual name of the talent — Boundless Soul.

Just from the grandeur of the name alone, it promised something remarkable. But it wasn't only the name that was extraordinary.

From those two words, Noel felt certain that this was likely a type of unique soul — one that possessed traits far beyond the ordinary, qualities that normal souls could never hope to match.

A rare gift that some were simply born with.

In fact, in all his memories, he could only think of a single person who had such a soul — Edith, the leader of the Order of the Veil.

Could this be the solution to his current crisis?

Before losing his memories, despite his genius, Noel had possessed nothing more than an ordinary soul.

So… was this his chance to finally obtain a unique one?

The corners of his lips curved upward in a faint, satisfied smile at the thought.

His eyes moved to the second choice — Completely Healed Soul.

The temptation was immediate. He almost wanted to take it alongside the first choice and gamble on the possibility that the result might change, that perhaps this time the relic would no longer threaten him.

But in the end, he decided against it.

There was no need to gamble recklessly with his safety.

He could take the talent now, run another simulation, confirm his situation was truly stable… and then choose the healed soul.

Who would have thought there would come a day when he would willingly turn down the chance to have his soul fully restored and his memories completely returned?

The thought made Noel smirk faintly. But he didn't linger on it for long. Without hesitation, he made his choices.

[You have selected: Boundless Soul (Ascended Talent).]

[You have selected: Strengthened Physical Strength (Second Stage of the Blood Refinement Path).]

In the next moment, astonishing changes rippled through him. His body and soul both seemed to be elevated, each undergoing subtle yet profound shifts.

Even though his soul remained damaged, Noel could already sense the difference. His control over the Destruction Law felt smoother, more natural — where before there had been backlash, now that was nearly erased. And though he knew the wound in his soul had not closed, the oppressive weight he once felt had lessened considerably.

That wasn't all.

To his surprise, his Soul Zone — which he had expected to remain inaccessible until his soul was fully healed — was now faintly perceptible. Shapes and outlines took form in his awareness, and among them, he saw it: the Scarf radiating an eerie, oppressive aura. Even without moving, its mere presence seemed to cause the surrounding Law threads to recoil and scatter.

Noel withdrew his senses immediately, danger prickling through his six sense like a warning bell. Best not to probe it further — not yet.

Instead, he turned his attention inward, toward his body.

Six Gates stage. He had finally reached it.

It was, in truth, nothing he considered remarkable. The Six Gates was merely the foundation of the path, the stage where one transitioned from refining only the blood — a process that would never truly end — into refining the six vital organs: Lungs, Liver, Kidneys, Bone Marrow, Brain, and Heart.

Each organ was a gate, hence the name. And only by refining all six would the body be truly prepared to tread deeper into the Blood Refinement Path. Beyond that lay Muscle Engraving, the stage where one's physical strength would leap forward dramatically.

Still, even if Noel downplayed it, the advance was progress nonetheless — a firm step forward on a physical path that few pursued and even fewer mastered. And that, at least, was worth a measure of satisfaction.

With the power coursing through him now, Noel also felt certain that killing Gavin would be a piece of cake.

By all means, Gavin was hardly a standard to measure things by, but if instead of one Gavin he could now take ten Gavins, that could still be considered an achievement on its own… right?

Noel thought, a quiet laugh escaping him.

Lastly, he could also feel something different in his blood.

The loss of that identity — the feeling that had once made him think he needed to choose the assimilated Blood Drop again a few times more just to keep mending it — now seemed to be improving on its own.

His Cross Bloodline might have been gone, but at least there was no longer a problem.