Chapter 62: The Conclave Invitation
The cracked balcony was silent, save for the wind carrying flecks of ash and mana residue. Philip stood still, processing the wild turn of events. One moment, he had been fighting for his life. The next, standing among living legends and the friendly atmosphere unnerved him
Lucius crossed his arms, watching Philip with glowing amber eyes.
"You're invited," he said flatly.
Philip blinked. "Invited… to what?"
Adeline stepped forward with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "To the Conclave. Philip blinked still confused.
Every fifty years, the demigods and the mythical gather. To discuss the future of earth and what direction we should follow but this year we decided to hold it early due to the changes on earth
She reached into her coat and tossed him a black medallion.
It shimmered with a tri-sigil—a wolf, a serpent, and a crowned flame.
"You'll need this," she said. "The world's eyes are already on you. It's best you come and hear what the rest of us have to say."
Philip turned the medallion in his palm, frowning. "I'm not interested in your politics. I didn't ask for territory. I'm just trying to understand what's happening to me."
Lucius grunted. "That's exactly why you need to come. The Atlantic Island hosts the truths of the world and don't you want to advance I see your mana core is still sage level. B ut it should be easy for you your since your soul is at the demigod level.
Adeline leaned against the scorched railing. ". When a demigod awakens, the land responds. Your mana calls to the soil. The rivers hum your name. Whether you want it or not, this region is becoming yours."
"And if the foreigners who've infested it displease you," Lucius added with a growl, "we'll remove them. Permanently."
Philip's expression hardened. "I'm not interested in massacres or power plays."
Adeline laughed. "Who said anything about massacres? Influence is power. Presence is power. You think we run empires by force? No. We whisper to kings, bend institutions."
Lucius cracked his neck. "Sometimes we also kill."
Philip looked away, staring into the scorched city skyline.
He didn't answer.
Adeline exchanged a glance with Lucius, then stepped closer, eyes narrowed.
"But one thing still bothers me," she said. "Your soul power."
Philip turned back to her.
She was no longer playful.
"Demigods like us—we rise through mana, through law affinity, through domain resonance. But soul power?" she said, almost reverently. "That's different. It is harder to improve
Lucius spoke again. "We've only seen that kind of soul pressure from ancient dragons and awakened dreamers. It is not normal. Not even for us."
Adeline nodded. "The only known ways to cultivate soul power are either through rare drugs or by diving into the Dreamscape."
She paused.
"But even we avoid the Dreamscape. It is boundless. It stretches across the stars. What feels like a shadow of a dream can become a corridor to a forgotten god's tomb. We've lost demigods to that realm."
Lucius muttered, "And found others broken. Raving. Or worse."
Adeline stepped closer. "So tell me, how? How did you temper your soul? Because it didn't just grow.
Philip was silent for a moment, then said quietly
It easy just let a giant hammer your soul repeatedly for month or years on end
The demigods fell silent.
The wind picked up.
Lucius's eyes widened slightly, then he let out a deep, surprised chuckle—the kind only warriors make when they recognize a madness that mirrors their own.
"You're crazy," he said with genuine respect. "No wonder the land listens to you."
Adeline's lips parted, and for the first time, she seemed genuinely taken aback.
Beside them, another figure—The Wayward Pritchard, a soul-healer who had quietly arrived with them—stared at Philip, pale. His hand trembled as he pointed.
"You… how are you alive?" he asked. "Do you think healing soul injuries is easy? Even a single tear can cripple someone forever."
"Interesting."
Adeline's grin returned. "Then that settles it. You must come to the Conclave. She stepped back, gesturing to the world around them.
"Philip clenched the medallion in his hand.