Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Lucas stood calmly amidst the stillness of the battlefield, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched Velkar fade into the distance. The air hung heavy with the scent of blood and the remnants of battle, the silence punctuated only by the occasional rustle of wind over the bodies of the fallen. His gaze followed the path Velkar had taken, but Lucas made no move to give chase.

A familiar, shameless voice broke the quiet, cutting through his thoughts. [Really? You're just going to let him run like that?] The system's tone dripped with mockery, its arrogance palpable. [What happened to the so-called 'Demon God'? Letting a coward escape? Pathetic.]

Lucas's lips curved into a small, knowing smile, his expression calm and unbothered. "No need," he replied smoothly, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

The system scoffed, unimpressed. [No need? That's the best excuse you can come up with? Oh, how far you've fallen, Lucas. I thought you'd enjoy squashing weaklings like him.] Its tone grew even more arrogant, reveling in its mockery. [Or maybe you've gone soft.]

Lucas's smile deepened, a glint of amusement flickering in his eyes as he shook his head slightly. "He's not worth my time," he said softly, the certainty in his voice undeniable. "Besides, he'll make a fine opponent for her later. There's no need for me to act."

The system paused for a moment, then chuckled, its tone shifting to one of feigned understanding. [Ah, I see… This is one of your grand schemes, right? Always playing the long game. How clever.] It's voice oozed with sarcasm. [But honestly, are you sure you're not just being lazy?]

Lucas let out a quiet laugh, not rising to the system's bait. "Believe what you want," he replied smoothly, his gaze still fixed on the horizon where Velkar had fled. "In the end, the result will be the same."

The system huffed, but its mocking tone softened slightly, as if admitting defeat. [Fine, fine, whatever helps you sleep at night. But don't come crying to me when your 'opponent' turns out to be nothing more than a waste of time.]

Lucas's smile never faltered. "We'll see."

Meanwhile, Velkar kept running, his breath coming in ragged gasps as his legs pounded against the ground.

His heart was still hammering from the encounter, and every few moments, he glanced back over his shoulder, fully expecting to see Lucas closing in on him. But… nothing. The boy was nowhere to be seen.

Velkar skidded to a stop, confusion washing over him. He stood there for a moment, chest heaving, trying to make sense of it.

"Why didn't he chase me?" he muttered under his breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. His mind raced, struggling to process the boy's inaction. "That kid… he has to have a reason."

He looked back at the battlefield, far in the distance now. "Maybe he doesn't leave his territory?" Velkar whispered, trying to reassure himself. "That would explain why the world has never heard of him. If he's tied to one place, then he's no threat beyond his domain."

Velkar's breathing began to slow, his heartbeat settling as he regained some semblance of composure. But as he stood there, catching his breath, a new thought took root—one that shifted his fear into something far more dangerous.

"Feris, Mirra, Vorn..." Velkar muttered, the names of the fallen elders lingering on his lips. His eyes darkened with a calculating gleam. "They're all dead. But so are the top elders of the Celestial Academy."

For a moment, he was silent, processing the gravity of the situation. Then, slowly, his lips twisted into a dark smirk, ambition flaring in his eyes. "This… this might be my chance."

Velkar began moving again, but this time, it wasn't panic driving him—it was purpose. His mind spun with possibilities, weaving a web of plans and power.

"With Feris and the others gone," he whispered, the words coming faster now, "Necrovauld is vulnerable. There's no one left to stand in my way."

He chuckled under his breath, his smirk widening as the full scope of his ambitions became clearer. "And the Celestial Academy… their strongest elders have fallen. They're crippled. This… this is the perfect opportunity."

His pace quickened, every step now fueled by a growing hunger for power. "The Malachor Clan will rise from this. I'll take over Necrovauld… no, I'll make it mine entirely. I'll seize their resources, their knowledge, their influence. This will be the beginning of the Malachor Clan's dominance."

Velkar's dark laughter echoed through the desolate landscape, reverberating through the empty air as he ran, his newfound ambition driving him forward.

Each step he took felt lighter, as if the weight of his previous fear had been replaced by the intoxicating pull of opportunity. The death of his comrades no longer mattered—only his own rise to power.

"This… this is just the beginning."

Meanwhile, far from the battlefield, the Celestial Academy stood tall against the horizon. Inside one of the private chambers, the air was thick with an oppressive heat.

The temperature in the room seemed to rise with every passing moment, the walls shimmering as if bending under the intense warmth.

At the center of it all was Roxana Volcaria.

Seated in her meditation posture, her eyes were closed, her brow furrowed in concentration. Her body radiated a fiery aura, flames dancing across her skin like a living force.

The Volcanic Dragon Physique she possessed was working in overdrive, the power within her building to an almost unbearable level.

"Just a little more..." Roxana whispered under her breath, her voice strained with effort.

Beads of sweat formed on her brow, evaporating almost instantly from the heat. The very air around her seemed to vibrate with power as she pushed herself harder, forcing the molten energy within her body to its absolute limits.

She gritted her teeth, her fists clenched tightly as the fire inside her roared, the heat intensifying to dangerous levels.

"Just… a little… more," she repeated, her determination unwavering.