The Innkeeper
chapter-1209

Lex felt the overwhelming power of annihilation, and began to appreciate how genuinely awesome the power of laws could be. He knew that he could not genuinely be hurt during this challenge of the tower, probably, but even then, the power of annihilation felt like it would devour him. More importantly, if the application of the law didn't allow for a challenger to directly overcome the effects of the law, Lex knew this would have been the end of his climb in the tower.

Yet the clear loophole was there, and so Lex survived some version of the attack that destroyed a whole realm. He was certain that it was not really on the same scale as the realm destroying attack, but it was impressive nonetheless. It would have been even more impressive if he knew exactly which one of the many things inhabiting his body allowed him to do it.

After passing through the final challenge, Lex was brought to a plain, simple room with a single pedestal in front of him. There was a note pinned to the side, and a golden ring on the pedestal.

"Better luck next time," read the note very simply, and a hint of surprise flashed through Lex's eyes. He was fairly certain that he had zoomed through the levels in the tower, but apparently Giselle had been faster. It seemed like he had underestimated her.

Lex picked up the golden ring and was not surprised to find it was a spatial ring.

Within it was his prize, or maybe the ring was also a prize since its storage capacity was even larger than his spatial bangle!

It was still nowhere near large enough to fit a planet, but a small country might not be an issue. More importantly, it contained a crystal ball filled with a liquid that was in a constant state of flux, not only rapidly changing colors, but also the texture of the liquid itself.

All he needed to do was look at the ball to know that contained within were a portion of the laws of the destroyed realm - the very thing that the Origin realm had been trying to absorb. He was not sure what benefits it would give, but he was certain that the Midnight realm would be greatly enhanced from this.

If nothing else, the unique balance that the now destroyed realm previously operated under was unique enough to covet. There was something about it that Lex felt was immensely important, even if he couldn't understand why.

Lex grabbed the ring, and was teleported out, back to the lobby he once had entered from. Oddly enough, there was no receptionist around to welcome him. In fact, as he looked around, the entire place seemed deserted.

Just as he was beginning to suspect that something had gone amiss, he heard the sound of running, and an alarmed receptionist came into view.

"Mr. Lex, my apologies," she yelled from afar. "My sincerest apologies for making you wait. I did not think anyone would be coming back so soon. We weren't expecting you for a few more months."

"That's fine," Lex said. "When can I go to the Trial of Eternity?"

"Please wait a moment," the receptionist said as she returned to her station. "Let me find out for you."

Truthfully, before answering, she had to ensure if Lex even passed to begin with. The preliminary tournament was, in essence, just an elimination round to keep around the most competent to enter the Champions tourney.

The reason for that was that the Champions tourney took place in a few, very special places. Let alone completing the required trials, even failing the trial would greatly affect those places, which is why only the best of the best could go.

Of course, surpassing all the trials and coming out successfully at the end would lead someone to becoming a Champion candidate, or even a Champion directly.

Every single participant in the tourney would receive immense support not only from their sponsors but from the Henali themselves. Yet the Champion would directly get enough support to reach the Celestial realm - at the very least!

Emperor Jotun himself was a former Champion candidate, though he didn't quite make it in the end. Still, the value he was given by the Henali was evident, so the position of actual champions can easily be guessed. The best part was that one did not need to swear fealty to the Henali to receive the benefits of being champion.

They would get it from virtue of being champion itself.

"Mr. Lex it looks like you're all set to move on, but there is a small issue. The entrance to the Trial of Eternity is not open yet. You will need to wait around thirty-one days before you can enter. If you don't wish to wait, you can enter one of the other tourney locations."

"No, this is fine. How will I be able to enter the trial after thirty-one days? Shall I return here?"

"Not at all. You will be given your awards for completing the tournament in a stellar fashion, and one of them will be a key that will allow you to enter the trial. There is a complimentary, top of the line refreshment and rehabilitation treatment prepared for you. By the time you are done, preparations for your award ceremony will be complete."

Lex did not feel like he needed rehabilitation, but he was not in the mood to argue. He followed the receptionist as she led the way, his thoughts already focusing on the next steps.

During the next thirty-one days, he could continue eliminating clones, while at the same time begin laying the groundwork to lure out his grandfather.

At the same time, he would release the crystal ball containing laws into the Midnight realm. He was looking forward to seeing how it improved. Lastly, he had to send Moon to the Inn. He was not willing to stand by any longer. It was time for some drastic measures.