Infinite Mana In The Apocalypse (WN)
chapter-3187

Ashmole.

An old man holding terrifying origins, with his existence searching for the very Origins of Existence themselves!

"Why do different Omniverses produce similar lifeforms but with different Sources of Existence? Why is the humanoid form of Existence the most prevalent, and yet with the weakest beginnings and values? Why…"

Questions flowed freely from this being as he seemed to be recalling everything he wanted to answer.

After going on like this for a while, he shook his head and locked his gaze on Noah once more.

"I have many questions that still need to be answered, and thus, I take great curiosity in any unique things I come across. I may not come close to being one of the terrifyingly powerful Existences within the Commonwealth, but I pride myself somewhat in my power. For you to have been able to hide from me to the extent that I couldn't pinpoint where you were…must mean you have a truly unique origin of Existence. The more of such origins I study, the more chances that one day, I may actually understand the origins of everything. So…for the sake of research, may I have a bit of your blood?"

"..."

Ashmole sipped his tea with seriousness after he finished speaking.

And Noah looked at him silently as his eyes turned to the Transformare of Existence all around them- what would be getting used to essentially farm Existence itself from this Omniverse that the Commonwealth was fattening up with Existential Terraforming!

"I won't just ask and take without anything to give back. Look here…"

Before his, Ashmole continued his musings as he pulled out a pure white book.

A Grimoire.

A Codex.

On its cover, it held the title...The Manuscript of Existence.

"A Record of the myriad parts of Existence I've come across over the eons. It ranges from the weakest lifeforms I've come across to the strongest ones who have complied with my requests. You share with me a drop of blood, and I…"

HUUM!

He waved his hand over the glorious white book as a fourth of its pages simmered as illusory pages came up.

"A portion of my records of Existence from the Manuscript of Existence are yours you read. From all sorts of life forms and oddities I've come across as I traveled under the banner of the Commonwealth."

The pages shone with potent waves of Existence as they floated towards Noah.

He looked at them carefully as this was exactly what he wanted for himself- records of different Sources of Existence and how similar or different they were to his Atlas of Existence!

But his expression remained placid as he asked first.

"Under the banner of the Commonwealth…why do you follow their Banner? Why make them The Transformare of Existence and be with them for all of these eons?"

The reason for this Alchemist to follow the Commonwealth.

It couldn't purely be to further his research, could it?

Ashmole smiled at such a question as he looked up at the enclosed wall in this space above while he replied.

"As vibrant as Existence is, there are also things that absolutely decimate and erase Existence. Many eons ago, I found myself coming to a realization of how hilariously outmatched I was when it came to forces whose natural aims are the erasure of Existence, and the Commonwealth was the only thing with the strength to stand against them. I may not agree with many of their methods. I may not like those who sit at the highest levels of power within the Commonwealth. But they are doing what must be done, and they have the power to do it. That is why I am where I am, Osmont. Why are you here?"

…!

An Entity of his caliber.

Someone that at this moment, Noah could not say with confidence whether he would even be capable of getting through his defenses!

Even now as his Atlas of Existence sought to analyze everything, seeing through this old man was an impossibility as much about him was unknown.

But he still stated why he was where he was- why he did what he did.

As for Noah…

He grabbed the illusory pages in front of his whole giving his reply.

"I'm actually following the same goal as you. Understanding all three different Systems of Existence out there."

…!

His words caused Ashmole to raise his head and stroke his beard as he asked dubiously.

"You wouldn't be among those seeking to assimilate different Sources of Existence, would you? I've looked into that route. All that I've seen has been instability and destruction to existence overall, my friend. Of course, it is also something the Commonwealth has outlawed…"

His last words were more of a reminder towards Noah- to caution him as he smiled while his Will delved into the few pages from the Manuscript of Existence.

"Why of course. The purity of Existence is what keeps the Wheel turning, is it not?"

…!

BOOM!

Simple words from Noah.

But in the next moment, the very weavings of Existence of Ashmole erupted out with immensity and grandiosity- purple tendrils of brilliance seething around him as his eyes became as deep as the Domains of Existence of an Omniverse!

He looked at Noah with immense somberness as he voiced out while emanating a terrifying aura.

Why did you say that?

Around Noah, silent and unseen tendrils of the Authority of the Laborer began to gather as his eyes became sharp while he asked.

Say what?

Both of their words were now filled with intent and authority.

"..."

Terrifying waves of Existence pulsed.

The eyes of Ashmole were deep as he seemed to be reigning himself in as he spoke slowly.

"The purity of Existence is what keeps the Wheel turning". Why did you say this, what do you know about the Wheel?

WAA!

The Wheel.

Noah's simple words had evoked such a reaction from this being as he pointed around them while replying calmly.

The massive Wheel shaped construct we are all in. The wheels binding the center of your hourglass constructs…it seems that a Wheel is a big theme with you all as I just said words related to it. Why did it cause you to get like this, my friend?

...

Noah truly had just spoken the words out freely.

But for them to evoke such a reaction…did he stumble onto a grand secret inadvertently?

The purity of Existence is what keeps the Wheel turning.

The Purity of Existence.

The Wheel.

Ashmole looked into Noah's eyes with interminable brilliance before moments after, his aura receded into nothingness as he simply sat back down in front of his teapot.

Noah did the same as the old man before him smiled apologetically, going back to speaking without authority.

"I seem to have misunderstood and made a fool of myself, excuse me for that. Now, you accepted the pages of my lifelong work. Can I expect a drop of blood?"

A drop of blood. Something simple.

Something small.

But the consequences for it…were things that not even Ashmole nor Noah understood at this moment!