The cobbled stone of the path up was long, but he appreciated the quiet. It was interesting. However much time had passed, there didn’t seem to be too many magical advancements… not that he had a great position to learn yet… But, there did seem to be some technological advancements.

Even just the road to the house, it was a very smooth cobbled stone, very clean, well-masoned. He wasn’t sure what the mortar they used was. He was accustomed to them being set in sand if the roads were nice, but most roads he had ridden on in the past were simply dirt paths.

Wisteria wasn’t too bad of a kid. He was still finding it ever so frustrating having even a kid look at him like he was small. She was loud, too. Her curiosity was good though. Perhaps she’d make a good scholar? That Vera goddess… the name sounded familiar, but he hadn’t fought anyone by that name in the past. He hoped he wouldn’t have to kill her and make Wisteria sad down the road…

His body was really good with divine energy, huh?

The class had been so strange and more stressful than it had any right to be. His capacity even garnered the attention of the god Iker… something he definitely didn’t want to do. Alister glanced up toward the sky. Was he watching now?

Why was this body good with such a thing? Was it because he had killed so many gods? Was it thanks to dying at the hands of one personally? How could he use this to his advantage?

Was this… could he become a god himself somehow? He chuckled at the thought, getting an odd look from a servant nearby.

An Archmage and a god in the same life. That sounded like a decent plan!

He could whip the gods into shape, and kill those that opposed him. He could make those bastards pay in blood for all the sins they had committed on humanity! Hah! He’d have to look into it more. Maybe there was a way.

Alister shook his head. Research needed to be done before he got too excited. Hell, he couldn’t even manage a single circle spell earlier! First, magic. Then he could think about such silly ideas. He was being greedy without the means to back it up.

A butler opened the door as Alister approached. They were… Harriet, if he wasn’t mistaken. A female butler. How odd. He gave her a smile and a soft thank you as he walked inside his house.

His home.

It still didn’t feel real. Eight years of this life of love and care. Before that, he had, what? Disciples he hadn’t seen in over a year, thanks to being hunted. No roof over his head for more than a couple days. He had to constantly move to avoid the damn gods. Even his death was one of strife, in the dirt, surrounded by enemies.

“Alister! You’re home early! Oh my gods your shirt is covered in blood. What happened? Are you alright? Come here let me see you!” his mother’s loud and worried voice startled him out of his thoughts.

Oh right. His shirt was a mess. He smiled and didn’t fight her as she checked him over and fretted, “Hello mother. I’m fine. I just slipped. I had a dizzy spell. The priests healed me.”

She paused, “Oh! Well, then we will have to thank the gods later for your health! The priests… how did that go? Were you able to get checked?”

“Ah… yes,” Alister looked away, the thought of thanking the gods for anything a bitter one, “So about that… you and father are going to get swarmed with offers and inquiries. Apparently, I have the capacity for divine energy similar to one of the high priests…”

Her face brightened, “Oh that’s wonderful! A mage and a priest both! You’re so amazing, my little love!”

“I don’t know that I would want to become a priest. I have no interest in tying myself to a god. I’m more interested in having my own power,” he said, shaking his head. He didn’t want her to get too excited. Better to squash that now.

Alliana looked at him with confusion, “Oh sweetheart… why is that? Is it too hard to choose just one god? I’ve heard of a type of priest that serves many instead but they’re pretty rare… the gods have to choose you to be a priest after all.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, mother, but…,” his voice lowered so the servants couldn’t hear, “In my past life, I didn’t have a great relationship with the gods.”

She furrowed her brow, “Then perhaps this is them forgiving you for the past?”

“I seriously doubt that,” he mumbled, then sighed and pulled away from her, absently scratching at his cheek, “I should probably get changed. I look like I lost a fight right now.” She was so forgiving of everything… even hinting at his poor relationship with the gods wasn’t enough for her to look at him with concern. After he said he didn’t want to share too much about his past life with them, his mother hadn’t even pestered him for more information.

Her smile returned, soft and loving, “I have some errands to run. Make sure to let your father know you’re home, ok?” He nodded and returned the smile, heading upstairs.

Before he spoke to his father, he wanted to do some meditation. He still had an excess of divine essence from what the priests did, so he wanted to do a couple of experiments with it. Plus, he wanted to continue with repairing his core.

Hours passed in meditation. It wasn’t until just before dinner that Alister finally left his room. He had changed into a loose blue blouse and simple black pants, but the effort of working with his core made his white hair slightly slick with sweat. He ran his fingers through it, combing it back so it was out of his face. It was short for his preference. A few more months and it’d be long enough for a ponytail.

His efforts were going well. It would take a bit before he could cast without pain, but there was a certain satisfaction to be had in working hard. As for the divine energy, it was fascinating - totally different to work with than mana. Alister could feel how much more power it held in the same amount when compared to mana. It was practically unfair. No wonder people wanted to work with the gods as their priests. This could be addicting, even more so with how the energy sank into you and revitalized you.

After he was done toying with it, he released the rest. There was no need for it at the moment. It would only serve to give him silly ideas.