The Oracle Paths

948 The Oracle Palace

Moments later, five figures, four human and one alien, materialized side by side atop a towering structure of black steel - one of the many Transportation Towers encircling Thelma. Each of the four individuals was exquisitely dressed, including the handsome man with a deadpan expression at the center.

Faced with the insistence and sensible arguments (and Ulfar's digs) of his friends, Jake, with newfound resolve, had opted to don a striking ensemble that walked the line between sophistication and futuristic combat wear, thanks to cutting-edge nanotechnology. His attire, an amalgamation of black, blue, and silver hues that harmonized perfectly with his fairy wings, consisted of boots, trousers, a shirt, and a high-collared overcoat - a perfect blend of elegance and power, ensuring he would make a lasting impression on the Oracle Overseer.

His instantaneous change of look, of course, left his companions gobsmacked, as they couldn't believe he had such attire in his wardrobe. And they were absolutely right to think so.

During the year spent in seclusion on Quanoth, Jake had not only accumulated knowledge but also put it into practice.

Replacing the artifacts he had lost had, of course, been one of his priorities. By immersing himself in the fascinating universe and the almost infinite potential of nanotechnology, Jake had naturally drawn inspiration to design his future equipment.

The elegant clothes he currently wore, which did not hinder his movements or combat abilities, were actually the same casual clothes he had been wearing a minute earlier. Their true form was a dense mesh of nanobots composed of several ultra-precious alloys of his own creation. Not only could they rearrange themselves to take the shape of any clothing Jake could imagine, but they could also change their texture and a number of their properties.

As the cherry on top, if Jake urgently needed energy or suddenly craved a snack, he could also reabsorb his own armor. These nanobots were fine enough to pass through the barrier of his skin (not that it would have prevented him from achieving his goals if they were larger).

This cutting-edge armor, reflecting the pinnacle of expertise Jake had reached, bore the symbolic name: Nanosuit No. 657.

Every day, he absorbed a wealth of knowledge so vast that an insatiable, frenetic urge gripped him - an impulse to reimagine and reforge his entire armament, down to the very last detail. This feverish obsession evolved into a habitual tic.

In the beginning, his creative spark would birth names that echoed inspiration and ingenuity, but eventually, weariness and pragmatism prevailed. And so, his current armor and, candidly, the entirety of his equipment, bore monikers that spoke to a more generic, utilitarian nature.

However, beware. One should not be misled by his dubious labeling sense. This equipment was the real deal. This unassuming nanosuit was an authentic mid-Bronze Aether Artifact.

This armor could withstand attacks that even Jake's Cosmic Chitin Scales couldn't endure, and it boosted his stats by 1500%, placing his performance well above that of his previous Myrtharian Adamantium Armor Set. But what made it invaluable was that it passively increased Jake's energy absorption by 20% while he wore it and could even double it if Jake activated the Aether Symbols inscribed within.

In return, this would lead to the destruction of the nanosuit in less than an hour, but with Jake having already forged 656 versions before this one, it spoke volumes about the emotional attachment he had for his creations.

These energy boosts may have seemed insignificant compared to other Bronze Artifacts that amplified, even multiplied, their bearer's energy a hundredfold, but one must keep in mind that Jake was no ordinary Evolver. Boosting the energy production of his Grade 10 Energy Body was no small feat, let alone doubling it.

Upon receiving the explanation of his clothes' sudden transformation, Lucia and Ulfar were instantly filled with envy. The only difference between the two was that the princess immediately invoked her girlfriend status to claim her right to her own Nanosuit No. 657.

As for Hade, he too wore a nanosuit. However, as it was not something he could easily manufacture due to a lack of precious materials and time, he had never mentioned it.

"We'll be there just in time," Hade nonchalantly reminded them, glancing at the time.

It was 2:59 PM. They had but a minute to reach their destination. His confidence in their punctuality seemed somewhat... misplaced.

"Let's teleport," Jake calmly said, enveloping his three companions with his Fairy Force and mental sense. "Just go with it."

Baffled, his friends nevertheless complied without hesitation, including Ulfar and the Oracle Guardian Saros, who watched over him like his own shadow. Switching to Lucid Aetherdreamer mode, Jake converted their bodies into a stream of Aetheric data, and in the blink of an eye, they reappeared before a majestic building they had only seen from afar:

The Oracle Palace.

The building stood as a breathtaking testament to the brilliance of its architects. Stretching for miles, this immense, futuristic edifice, comprised of three interconnected structures, appeared as if it had been hewn from a single block of an unknown white metal, its seamless expanse an enigma to all who beheld it. The vast structure, with its sweeping curves and soaring spires, conveyed an air of otherworldly grandeur that left visitors in awe.

Surrounding the palace, magnificent gardens flourished in resplendent beauty, dwarfing the fabled Gardens of Versailles. These grounds, meticulously tended by skilled Oracle Drones, boasted an array of flora both familiar and exotic, their vibrant hues painting a vivid tapestry across the landscape. Graceful fountains adorned the gardens, their cascading waters dancing in the sunlight, while labyrinthine hedges invited visitors to lose themselves in the verdant embrace.

Within the palace, the wonders continued. Intricate mosaics adorned the floors, depicting celestial patterns and abstract motifs. The walls were adorned with a myriad of artwork and masterful sculptures, paying homage to the great minds and artists of the time. Towering ceilings were illuminated by ethereal light, bathing the opulent chambers in a soft, inviting glow.

Throughout the ages, the Oracle Palace remained a testament to the power and ingenuity of an unknown civilization, forever capturing the imaginations of those who ventured into its storied halls. Its design was immutable, but each Overseer was free to personalize it in their own way. Oros, even lazier and more minimalist than Jake, had kept the Oracle Palace's appearance and decor exactly as it had come from the factory.

Hade, Lucia, and Ulfarl s eyes widened slightly as they recognized the majestic building. It was not the grandiosity of the Oracle Palace that had unnerved them but the fact that they hadn't received the Oracle System's notification asking them to pay the Aether fee to enter the Oracle Capital's barrier.

They turned to Jake for an answer, but time was pressing. The truth was simple. Jake hadn't dodged the fare. He had merely paid their Aether Fee during their two-step teleportation.

"Oros will receive you in the Oracle Chamber," Saros informed them, his face impassive. "You cannot teleport directly there, so I suggest... you hurry."

Realizing they had only 20 seconds left, Jake and his friends took his advice to heart, sprinting through the building at a speed far beyond supersonic. Three seconds later, they found themselves at their enigmatic destination.

The Oracle Chamber was a hallowed sanctum where the Oracle Overseer would share their wisdom and guidance. A sense of reverence permeated the air, as if the very walls of the chamber were imbued with a sacred energy.

Depending on the situation, the room could rearrange itself to resemble the grand amphitheater with suspended platforms and tribunes of the Oracle Senate. At other times, it resembled the minimalist chamber that Jake and his companions had just entered.

What struck them upon entering was the heavy atmosphere, followed by the astonishingly small number of guests. Aside from their party of five, there were only 33 people, divided into eight groups of four and a ninth group consisting of a single person. The unaccompanied Evolver was factionless.

"Saros..." Jake inquired telepathically, his brow furrowed. "Why are there so few of us?

Considering the number of Evolvers on B842, shouldn't there be more? Even if it's just the Oracle Knights promoted today, we are far too few."

Hade, Lucia, and Ulfar cast curious glances at the Khaanul warrior, wondering the same thing. Unperturbed, the Oracle Guardian calmly confirmed, as if he was accustomed to hearing this observation,

"There are indeed many more new Oracle Knights each day than this. However, in addition to your performance in the Ordeals, there are other criteria. Unlike the Oracle Rank, where accumulating enough merit is enough for promotion, the number of noble titles is limited for each planet."

Seeing their change in expression, Saros chuckled and reassured them, "Don't worry. B842 is a young planet. There are still plenty of noble titles to be distributed and claimed. As for why you are so few in this room, it's because newly promoted Oracle Knights typically have five to six Ordeals under their belt. Sometimes seven. These Oracle Knights are indeed much more numerous, but their accomplishments don't carry the same weight. Their ceremony is held separately by someone else. Oros only makes the effort to attend for truly promising recruits like yourselves."