The Glorious Evolution Chapter 444: Passing on The Crown.

'So I thought I was catching up,' Arthur mused, his expression growing serious as he replayed the events in his mind. He was aware his brother possessed three Origin Seeds, but witnessing him unleash their full power like this was a revelation. Defeating prodigies from formidable noble families seemed almost unimaginable to Arthur at this point.

'Hence the reason I revealed my second identity,' Levi communicated with Arthur through a stored wisp. This method, utilizing a fragment within Arthur's spiritual connection to Leywell, ensured their conversation remained private and secure.

'The Elder mentioned it would take roughly a year to transmute your Shadowlife Seed into an Origin Seed. Before that transformation is complete, you must focus on addressing your shortcomings.'

Arthur's expression hardened as he nodded slowly. 'I sensed it during the competition. My strength... it simply wasn't enough when the situation escalated. I still can't fathom being so thoroughly defeated by that mercenary.'

Though Levi understood Arthur had given his utmost against an elite opponent designed for Tier 5 combat, he chose not to disclose Fang’s true capabilities.

In Levi’s assessment, while Fang and Rain were undeniably potent, they were still within a comprehensible range compared to the monstrous entities he had faced in the Joker Game. Measured against those terrifying beings, Arthur was significantly outmatched. Levi harbored a deep-seated refusal to be outpaced by his brother, fully recognizing his immense latent potential.

'Precisely why this upcoming year is so crucial,' Levi stated, turning to face his brother directly.

Reaching into his dimensional storage, he retrieved a tarnished Platinum Crown. The artifact seemed to emanate a latent, ancient power.

This was the Titan’s Crown – the fractured SSS-grade Artifact!

Without a moment's hesitation, he extended it towards Arthur.

'I am entrusting the Crown to you,' Levi declared with a solemn tone. 'More than that, your mission is to restore it to its former magnificence. Though it is currently inoperable, this crown is no ordinary artifact. It represents the pinnacle of ancient craftsmanship, and if you succeed in fully reawakening it, it will resonate perfectly with your Aspects.'

Arthur’s eyes widened, his hand hovering over the artifact. 'Levi, this is...'

Arthur had never even laid eyes on an S-grade artifact before; now, he was being presented with an SSS-grade artifact of immeasurable value. While its current state rendered it useless, with the Titan’s guidance and Arthur’s dedicated efforts, its lost glory was certainly within reach.

Levi already bore an overwhelming responsibility and could not dedicate his attention to awakening the Crown. Entrusting this task to his brother would serve as a vital lesson, impressing upon Arthur the immense resources required to ascend to the highest echelons of power.

He couldn't perpetually guide Arthur, even if he were willing; his younger brother needed to cultivate his own methods for consistently acquiring resources. This self-sufficiency would ensure Arthur wouldn't be left vulnerable should some catastrophic event befall Levi.

'I require you to be at your absolute best from this moment onward,' Levi's expression softened infinitesimally, though his gaze remained intensely focused. 'The next time we step into the arena for the Great Campaign, I cannot stand alone at the forefront. I need you right beside me.'

Upon hearing this, Arthur reached out and took the Crown, his expression filled with newfound resolve. His fingers brushed against the cool metal and the vacant sockets of its gem heart, awaiting their crucial stones.

Despite its dormant state – as Levi had yet to imbue it with the Titan’s wisp – Arthur felt a distinct shiver cascade down his skin, as if the Crown itself were acknowledging his touch.

Given that the Titan’s bloodline flowed through him and his wisp was now housed within Arthur’s Shadowlife Seed, it was logical for the artifact to accept him more readily than it ever had Levi.

'I won't disappoint you, Big Bro,' Arthur vowed, his voice resonating with solemn determination. 'By the time we depart the Expanse, I will be the unwavering shield you can always rely on.'

'That's the spirit,' Levi replied with a faint smile, offering a fist bump, which Arthur gladly returned.

Levi then proceeded to outline the intricate steps necessary for awakening the Crown. He explained how the Titan’s wisp, combined with specific crucial resources, would facilitate the infusion of consciousness into the artifact, thereby unlocking its initial functionalities.

From that juncture, the Titan himself would assume the role of Arthur’s mentor, guiding him toward the acquisition of the rare materials essential for the complete restoration of the ancient treasure.

'Perhaps I could utilize my wish for this?' Arthur suddenly proposed. 'Since the Genie will be exclusive to my Aspects, I could acquire a substantial amount of resources to initiate the first stage.'

'No, it's not quite that dire yet,' Levi countered, shaking his head. 'I can manage the wisp's requirements, as they are primarily monetary. However, the remaining materials needed for its reconstruction fall entirely to you.'

'Then, should I consider using my wish for those specific materials?' Arthur inquired.

'Those are rather ambitious aspirations,' the Titan interjected. 'The materials you require are of S-grade at the very least. Your wishes currently lack the potency to procure items of such high caliber.'

'Damn...'

Arthur’s eyelids quivered as he realized such an undertaking might consume his entire existence. However, he refused to let this dampen his spirits. He understood that immense assistance from the cosmos was crucial for him to keep pace with his brother’s colossal potential.

After all, Levi was a wielder of the Three Origin Seed; should he maintain this current momentum, he would become unstoppable in the later stages of their journey.

Arthur carefully placed the Crown into his dimensional wallet. “Speaking of wishes,” he inquired, “have you made up your mind? I believe the girls have already settled on theirs.”

“Not yet.”

“Hmm... I reckon we have merely a week left to decide,” Arthur quipped, scratching his cheek. “I’m contemplating using mine on a material vital for my next evolution.”

The Titan had assured him that he wouldn’t require a Perfect Evolutionary Formula after his Shadowlife Seed’s transformation. Nevertheless, procuring the appropriate materials remained essential for its creation.

Ascending to the Solarbound rank with an Origin Seed demanded the acquisition of exceptionally rare and high-tier materials.

“Indeed, that could be a viable option,” Levi concurred, nodding in agreement.

Had his brother’s evolutionary trajectory not already been charted under the Titan’s tutelage, Levi would have strongly advised him to seek out a Highborn Bloodline.

Meanwhile, Levi had already furnished Jojo and Nurah with recommendations for Highborn Bloodlines, should the Genie deem it permissible.

Jasmine, Arthur, and Shia’s paths were already brimming with future possibilities; these two were the sole individuals somewhat ‘deficient’ in that regard.

Naturally, Levi had enlisted Ash’Kral’s expertise to aid in the suggestions, thereby preventing them from embarking on a fruitless endeavor.

While everyone appeared to grasp the optimal utilization of their wish, a lingering uncertainty still clouded Levi’s mind.

He had dedicated the entire night to contemplation, yet every idea conceived was either excessively ambitious or a deplorable waste of such an extraordinary opportunity. To compound matters, he possessed only a week to articulate his wish before the Platform rescinded the privilege. After all, these Genies operated continuously, and multiple games transpired daily.

“I desire to utilize it for resources, yet I also wish for answers regarding the Three-Body Problem and the current state of my eyes,” Levi confessed, rubbing his temples. “However, soliciting such inquiries carries too great a risk.”

Levi was aware that Unique wishes, potentially superior in quality to standard ones, offered boundless possibilities. Yet, if he posed a question exceeding the Genie’s capabilities, the entity would not refuse but would instead provide an utterly nonsensical response.

It would be akin to receiving an answer devoid of complete context, and Levi harbored a profound dread of squandering a wish on an unsolvable enigma.

“I have but a week, and pursuing materials isn’t precisely the most strategic decision,” Levi mused profoundly. “I can always procure those eventually on my own.”

Considering Levi had already resolved the foundational conflict of the Three-Body Problem concerning the seeds, his path was secure until the Solarbound Rank. This afforded him ample time to acquire further wishes in the future.

“I must leverage this on something that can offer indirect yet significant advantages.”

Levi tapped his finger rhythmically, delving into the multitude of unresolved issues plaguing his thoughts. After dismissing several possibilities, his brow furrowed as a particular concern surfaced.

“I have an impending meeting with Bishop Va’ren in a few days, and I still haven’t devised a method to circumvent the contract signing without sacrificing either soul.”

A thoughtful smile played on Levi’s lips as he tuned out his younger brother, who had begun prattling about some of his viral clips from the Nocturnal Ring.

“What if I were to employ the wish to fabricate a soul bearing an identical ID to mine, intended for sacrifice during the contract signing with the Bishop? This approach would absolve me of any potential repercussions with either seed, while simultaneously guaranteeing my complete autonomy during our ‘partnership.’”

Previously, Levi had contemplated offering the Void Seed’s soul for the contract. Post-sacrifice, the soul would perish, but he himself would remain intact. He could subsequently restore it, albeit after a strenuous period of recovery.

The sole impediment to this elaborate scheme lay with the Seeds themselves. He had already ascertained their stance: any perishability of their souls under his stewardship would result in severe repercussions for him.

Levi had absolutely no desire to reignite conflict after finally establishing a semblance of harmony with the Divas.

Concurrently, he recognized that Bishop Va’ren represented too significant an asset to dismiss. Aligning a Tier 8 powerhouse against his nemesis? It would be utter folly not to explore the possibility of collaboration.

However, the crucial element was to forge this alliance while ensuring Levi retained the ability to betray him at any given moment. Furthermore, such a contract would grant him the leverage to disseminate their strategies and decisions to his confederates.

While this might appear as a subtle utilization of a unique wish, it precisely addressed Levi’s immediate needs. His ultimate objectives remained steadfast: vengeance against Bishop Na’thir and the reclamation of his eyes.If collaborating with Bishop Va’ren demanded a peculiar desire to initiate the process, Levi would readily embrace it!