Symbiotic Ascension : A Progression Fantasy Adventure

The Royal Library.

When Glenn first read the name in Exan's hidden notes, he imagined a giant building filled with books — maybe even a particularly fancy one.

What he didn't expect was this.

'That's a library...?' Diamanes muttered. 'The royal treasury must look like the golden goose's arsehole, then.'

'I can't agree more.'

The Royal Library's exterior couldn't exactly be called unassuming. It was a castle, prestigious and pristine, built out of perfect white stones and with a dominating, enchanted gate. It was large enough to look like a small hill, a beautiful landmark.

But considering what the Royal Library contained, it felt... austere.

Taking a step into the white castle felt like stepping into another dimension, another world—not the sickening feeling of being transported to the Beyond, but something similar.

The structure was already massive in all senses of the term, but the inside... the inside was warped. It was as if an entire world had been compressed, sun and moon alike, only to be shoved into a castle. Glenn couldn't help but crane at the blue sky making up the ceiling, a bright blue sun shining down on him. The azure sunlight made everything appear magical, a feeling that was quite reinforced by their surroundings. A gentle, fresh breeze made his clothes flutter, the song of birds and insects echoing around him. Lush forests spread forever, each tree tall enough to tower even the tallest sequoia and wider than the largest baobab.

Glenn understood why it was called a Royal Library and not a compressed world when he approached one of these trees. The trunk, as wide as a small house, was hollow. And inside, thousands upon thousands of books rested on naturally grown shelves protruding out of the wood. Magical light hung in the center of each trunk, giving everyone the light they'd need to find the book they searched for.

And there was a whole forest worth of trees.

"Elven trees," commented Exan with a smirk as he watched Glenn's eyes widen in awe at the stupidly large forest. "Their lifespan is boosted through their Mana-rich environment, and everything within their trunks is preserved perfectly."

Glenn blinked in disbelief. "Just how many books are in this place?"

Exan played with his black beard, pondering. "A little over a million, if I'm correct. Don't be mistaken, though. Ninety-nine percent of these books are worthless. Transaction records, letters, and stone tablets—back when they were still in use. There are a few trees dedicated to history, and another to noble lineages and what each and every aristocrat accomplished. Everything is recorded within the Royal Library," his eyes smiled. "And I mean it when I say everything."

Milena cleared her throat, drawing Glenn's attention. "It's worth noting that not every tree is used to store books. There are also old relics, artifacts, simply all traces of knowledge since the First King."

"In the legend, it is said that the Dragon Sevirox and his friend, the First King, built this place for the people of Munirp to always have a haven to store knowledge. The Divine Sage, the God of Magic and Knowledge, then blessed this place. Or so the legend says," Exan recalled.

"Is that the truth?" Glenn asked curiously. 'It's fitting for Sevirox's personality, considering what I learned about him in his Laboratory with Gundam. A man—no, a dragon who loved knowledge so much he wanted it shared with everyone...'

Exan frowned. "How would I know?"

Diamanes scoffed. "Aren't you Exan the Omniscient?"

The Omniscient paused as he stared at the smug devil before chuckling. "A title I don't deserve. But I have to admit I enjoy using it. Even if I'm not Omniscient, I know a lot of things and see a lot of stuff, always." There was a strange inflexion in his voice as he said that last sentence.

Exan clasped his hands behind his back as he strolled leisurely through the Elven tree forest. "The first time I came here, my first question was about security, if you'd believe that."

Glenn nodded in understanding. "No, it makes sense. Even if most of the things in this place are worthless, there must be priceless stuff too. Hell, even I am tempted to steal a few books here and there for myself."

Exan shrugged. "You can try."

"...And what would happen?" Glenn squinted, not too intent on testing the power of this mystical place.

"The stolen book would disappear from your dimensional storage or wherever else you stored it," stated Exan. "And don't think about soul-bonding them. I tried it, and it hurt like hell. A sorcery so powerful and ancient that even I can barely understand it. And do believe me when I say no one alive has a better understanding of magic than I."

"You're still just a Seventh-Circle, right?" Diamanes questioned bluntly. Milena flinched, and she threw a worried glance at her grandfather, who'd stopped himself dead in his tracks.

Glenn gulped. 'I think you asked the wrong question, Diamanes.'

Exan spun on his feet and stared down at Diamanes, the silver gears in his right eye working relentlessly. "Just the Seventh-Circle? How common do you think Newborn Rulers are exactly?"

Glenn coughed lightly. "Well, I must have met... what, a dozen already? Laurence, Doyle, the masked Occult Wanderers guy, the King's Blade, Duke Noir..." Glenn frowned, counting on his fingers, "I think there should be more than that. Ah, yeah, you Exan... The Thorn's Church's Pope, too. Can't forget him. Ah, and that divine thing that fell from the sky was probably higher than the Seventh Circle—"

Exan raised his hands in defeat. "Alright, alright, I get it. I give up. Newborn Rulers, be they Aura users, Mages, or Divinity wielders, are the pinnacle of what mortals can achieve. Beyond that, you need a special spark—or so I believe. Don't take my words for granted, I'm still stuck despite grinding my ass off it for hundreds of years."

"Grandpa!" Milena exclaimed, offended by the familiar language.

Exan rolled his eyes, waving his hand dismissively. "Come on, it's not like Glenn cares."

"I completely do mind, though! How can an old coot like you speak like he's still twenty? Aren't you shameless?"

Exan's remaining marine blue eye shone murderously as spells appeared around him. "You little demonic twat—!"

"Grandpa!" Milena repeated with insistence, her arms crossed. Exan's spells dissipated into thin air, giving space for Glenn to breathe. The power behind these was strong enough to make his knees turn to jelly, and he wasn't exactly sure he'd be able to defend against them.

"Milena, you understand me, don't you—"

"Shut up," she snapped. "I'm not like Glenn, I have no reason to accept an impolite, murderous demon who can take control over my friend's body."

"That was to save my life, though..." muttered Glenn, but Milena didn't care whatsoever. She turned away with a judgmental gaze, ignoring Diamanes' dropped jaw.

"Never in my thousand years of living have I been this disrespected," he mumbled. "And I have to admit, I like it."

Glenn choked on his saliva as Exan's spell came back alive, Milena barely stopping him from torching his purple and cackling left hand. They eventually found a gazebo that seemed to have grown straight out of the ground, arching roots making up the seats and tables. It looked uncomfortable, but was far from unpleasant, in Glenn's surprise. It was like the roots moved and shaped themselves to accommodate him.

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"Here should be perfect," groaned Exan as he lay in his seat, a smoking pipe appearing at his lips. "Sigh, between the war, Alaric, and these idiotic nobles, I never have a moment for myself."

Milena clenched her teeth. "I would like you to know that you were an entire day late to rescue me. Just so you don't have too much fun from saving me, okay?"

Exan blinked confusedly. "But I did save you? I called your friends to your position and cleared your mind of outer influences."

Milena raised an angry finger. "That does remind me: I want complete control over the spine you gave me. And a guarantee you won't spy on me whenever you want!"

"You don't want the Omniscient playing as your Guardian Angel?" Exan exclaimed, surprised. "Alright. To be fair, I only receive signals whenever the spine detects you're in an emergency you can't escape by yourself. The AI I put in that thing worked wonders so far! And I swear, no intrusion on your privacy! You can go and kiss anyone, I wouldn't know!"

Milena's cheeks suddenly reddened while Exan's eyebrows creased. "...Even if I would appreciate knowing who my granddaughter is crushing on. Or maybe going out with? Or perhaps more? Do I need to arrange a marriage already—?"

"Grandpa!"

Glenn chuckled aloud, unable to contain himself. It was heartwarming, watching Exan teasing Milena like this. She looked completely defenseless against him, like a child who's been robbed of his sweets. Exan rubbed down on his beard with a doting smile while patting Milena's head, before shaking his head and turning back to Glenn.

"Now, we have a matter of the greatest importance, Glenn." There were no hints of the grandfatherly Exan who was playing with his kin left, only the cold, serious Omniscient. Glenn straightened up, his hands clasped before him.

"...Are you certain you wish to know?" said Glenn gravely.

Exan exhaled heavily, his hands pressed together. "I have waited centuries. Re-watched the seven seasons. I am more than certain."

"Glenn, tell me the end of Game of Thrones."

Glenn gulped.

Depending on how Exan took his answer, things might get out of hand.

***

Milena winced, looking hesitantly at the middle-aged man standing some distance away, his hands clasped behind his back and his gaze turned to the fake sky.

"Are you sure he's going to be okay?"

Glenn nodded. "He will be, yes. He just needs some time to... to grieve."

Milena's eyes widened. "That Game of Drones was that important!"

"Game of Thrones," Glenn corrected. "And yes, it was. Some people grew up watching it. Imagine that. He must have been thinking about the end of the show for ages. How did it end? Was it good? And most importantly, was it loyal to the books?"

"You do realize I don't understand what you're talking about, Glenn?"

Exan suddenly sends a massive ray of Mana into the sky, piercing through the red sun and the magical veil making up the Royal Library. The world shook for a few moments before the fissure created by the spell mended itself. Exan returned to sit with them, his expression serene.

"Next subject, please," he commanded. "I don't want to speak of it. I don't want to think of it. Glenn, here's your reward."

Exan waved his hand above the table of roots. A book appeared out of nowhere, an unknown constellation drawn up on the cover. Glenn took the book confusedly, opening it up at the title.

"A cosmology book?" He questioned, even more confused. "...Why?"

The Omniscient looked at him like he was an idiot. "Aren't your spells based on astral formations? I've heard of the Sun, a Black Hole, Solar Flares... even Earth's constellations, names you shouted back during the war. Something about Orion?"

Glenn looked at the cosmology book in a new light. "You think this is going to help me develop my spells?"

Exan shook his head. "I don't think. I know. You still don't want to get rid of Diamanes?"

"That was one hell of a change of topic, young man," Diamanes blurted out. A vein popped on Exan's head as a new spell was woven behind him.

"You are calling me young...?" He paused and brushed his beard in satisfaction. "That's actually nice. Thank you, ancient demonic creature. I'll take the compliment."

"Y- You're welcome," stammered Diamanes, surprised.

"And no, I'm not interested. And I can get rid of him whenever I want anyway, so don't worry," Glenn replied to Exan's question, unbothered. The Omniscient raised an eyebrow, curious.

"Oh? You can manipulate your soul to this extent? May I watch?"

Glenn shrugged. "Sure."

He repeated the same process he used to have a private conversation with Liara earlier in the day. His eyes shut, he sank back into his soul space, withholding a laugh as Diamanes suddenly popped in front of him.

"Let's reconsider this, yes? Who knows what this weird pervert wants with me? And I don't want to end up inhabiting a bird again, damn it!"

Glenn rolled his eyes. "Whitey's isn't here to eat you, you'll be fine. Perhaps I should ask Pebble to try his teeth on you?"

"You little—!"

"Oh well, that's a thought for another time. Anyway, out you go!" Glenn wrapped Diamanes in his Mana before connecting a tendril of power to the makeshift capsule. With a thought, he expelled the Diamanes capsule out of his body, kicking out the entity's consciousness temporarily. This was the best way he found to get the best of everything. Diamanes would stay connected to Glenn, only he wouldn't be able to watch life through his eyes for a temporary time.

Glenn opened his eyes to a vaguely hand-shaped purple cloud floating before him, a dejected mouth opened in its palm.

"Kicked out of my own house! Again! Twice in one day! Liara's having a terrible influence on you, Glenn! I'm telling you!"

Exan rubbed his beard, the silver gears replacing his right eye spinning slightly faster. "That's an interesting solution... You only pulled out his senses, not exactly his soul. Even if the connection between the temporary vessel and the main body is severed, the demon's soul wouldn't be affected. Clever, very clever."

Glenn scratched the tip of his nose, smug. Not everyone received compliments from the Omniscient himself!

"Ah, look at him. Just a few nice words, and his ego blows out of proportion. Tsk..." Diamanes fluttered in the air, Mana swirling around his ethereal form. Milena passed her hand through the magical cloud curiously.

"It's so strange..." She turned to Glenn with an impressed look. "You can get rid of that annoying parasite, yet you still keep him? Why?"

"Hey!"

Glenn leaned back in his seat with a small smile. "I wouldn't be alive without Diamanes. And... Well, I got used to having him in my head. I wouldn't know how to think without him," he joked.

Exan scratched his chin, pondering. "A symbiotic relationship..." He glanced at the floating purple hand and frowned. "Who are you really, Diamanes? Are you the remains of an old Ruler? Perhaps a reincarnated Demon soul? Even if, from what I've seen in my trip to the Beyond, the Demons aren't like you at all..."

Diamanes cleared his throat and rose above them proudly. "I am the one and only Diamanes! I traveled through stars and space, sealed in a crystal, to finally find myself stranded in Limbo!"

"I don't really see what's there to be proud of..." Milena muttered.

The armrests of Exan's armchair suddenly shattered, and the Omniscient stood up in shock. "You travelled through stars and space? That's what you said, right? How?"

Diamanes floated back, taken aback. "I, uh, well, was sealed in a sarcophagus of some sort, and had to split myself in three before wandering to find... to find..." Diamanes took a big pause. "...Limbo, I think? I don't know why, but I know I needed to come... back? Huh?"

Diamanes' ethereal shape suddenly destabilized, the entity mumbling confusedly. Glenn's eyes widened as he sent more Mana to maintain the temporary vessel.

'This isn't the first time this happened! Damn it, there has to be something wrong with Diamanes' memories.'

Despite Glenn's best efforts, the purple hand cloud disappeared, retracting back to Glenn's soul.

Diamanes grunted painfully. 'W- What? Wait, what were we talking about? Why do I feel hungover... Oh, this sucks...'

Exan looked incredibly serious, his fingers clasping his jaw. "Memory tampering on a remnant soul... This is strange. Very strange. And he says he moved through space too..."

He shook his head and exhaled heavily. "No matter. Glenn, Milena, there are some things you must be aware of."

Milena and Glenn leaned forward. The latter kept the matter with Diamanes in the back of his mind. Questioning the entity about his past had quite the unpleasant consequences. Maybe, when he's grown even stronger, Diamanes' memories would be able to remain uncorrupted. 'I can hope.'

"You have only a few weeks of rest before things go haywire," Exan warned. "I'll be taking care of the matter with the Sorenas, so don't worry about it, Milena."

She frowned and crossed her arms. "This is my mother's family. I have the responsibility to—"

"I know," Exan interrupted. "But you have to prioritize yourself for now. Alaric let me off the hook, thanks to all the achievements your team accomplished, Glenn. I have exactly twenty-one days to train you and your teammates to grow strong enough to help us on the frontlines."

His expression grew grave as he pressed his hands together. "In twenty-one days, the Celestial Gods will attack."

"And if nothing changes, we will lose."