The entire Nation erupted in cheers and parades, with celebrations lighting up every corner of every village. After the Chosen Pupils ritual was held in each region, the chosen were paraded through the streets, accompanied by thousands of villagers. A profound sense of joy and reverence filled the air. A year's worth of devout worship had finally been answered—the future protectors of the nation had at last been born.
In stark contrast to the festive atmosphere of rituals in other temples, the scene at Morphogen Temple was devoid of victory cheers. No triumphant chants, no celebratory crowds—only the stunned faces of the five people who were there. They still couldn't believe it. After 160 long years, the God Cellaris had finally chosen a human to inherit its power.
Yet, amid the heavy silence of Morphogen Temple, a celebration stirred—one that bloomed quietly within Jack.
"What... is this sensation?" Jack pressed a trembling hand to his chest. "Is this... happiness? Ahhh... I'd nearly forgotten what it felt like—after a century of pain. Pain was so constant that it drowned out every other emotion."
"It hurts," Jack choked out. "God, it hurts so much… more than anything I've ever felt. This pain—it's overwhelming. And yet… It's warm. It makes me want to cry. To scream. To live, it feels like this sensation is devouring every last remnant of pain in my body."
For the first time, not a single thread of pain coursed through his body.
He looked down at the Divine Beast cradled in his lap.
"Is this your doing?" he whispered. "Has your divine power already begun to affect me?"
Another person, still reeling from the shock, finally began to process what was happening.
"Wait… did that Divine Beast just choose Old Man Jack? This can't be real…"
Helix's mind spun in confusion. He blinked rapidly, his heart racing. Slowly, he turned toward Jack—only to see a sacred beast peacefully slumbering in the old man's lap. Its breath was calm. Its posture, completely trusting.
Then it hit him.
The truth.
The miracle.
The impossible.
"He… he became the master of the Cellaris Beast?"
His heart hammered against his ribs. His vision blurred—from tears or sheer disbelief.
"After all these years... after watching you crawl back half-dead every damn time—"
Memories flashed through Helix's mind — Jack's bloodshot eyes after yet another rejection, the way his gnarled fingers gripped the arms of his wheelchair.
"And now... now you're the chosen one?
Of course. Of course it was Jack—the man too stubborn to die, too proud to surrender, even when the gods themselves seemed to mock him."
And then, overwhelmed by a surge of emotion, Helix broke down—no longer able to contain the storm within.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaah!!" Helix screamed,
Old man! You—you actually became the chosen disciple?!"
Tears burst from his eyes, as he sprinted toward Jack and threw his arms around him in the tightest hug he'd ever given.
"UWAAHH…!"
Helix sobbed uncontrollably.
"You finally got chosen, old man!
All the pain… all the suffering… it's finally paid off!
BUAAAHHH…!"
If there was anyone who truly knew how much Jack had sacrificed for this moment—it was Helix.
He had been the one who had pushed Jack in his wheelchair since he himself was just a kid. Dozens of times, he had wheeled Jack's fragile body to the year-end ritual selections—a body forced to keep living, accumulating fresh wounds and new pain each year, only to return empty-handed.
"Mmm… mmm!!" Helix cried even harder.
"You really did it!"
You're the Chosen Pupil now!
You finally—FINALLY—made it!"
But then...
"Euurrghhhh…"
A low, strained groan escaped Jack's lips. It didn't sound human—more like the dying growl of a wounded wild animal.
Helix froze, still clinging to Jack.
"W-What was that?!" he gasped, pulling back just enough to see Jack's face contorted in pain.
"Oh NO! Old man?! I—did I hug you too tight?!
Please, don't die now! Not now!"
"UWAAAAHH! OH NOOO—BWAAHHAAAAHH!!"
"AND YOU… Hik…!" Helix rounded on the beast, finger shaking. "YOU majestic beast! I'd kiss you if you wouldn't maul my face off."
The Beast cracked open one golden eye, blinking sleepily at the chaotic display.
The Beast's growl seemed to say, "Is he always like this?"
Jack felt the pain return to his body. He realized: "For a second, I thought the divine power of God Cellaris had begun to flow through me, washing away every trace of pain. But it was only the adrenaline, born from a joy too great to bear."
Of course, just being the Chosen Pupils wouldn't instantly grant him control over the God's divine power. He still had to train—learn the sacred arts, master the divine energy, and train again, and again.
Jack drew a long breath, filled with resolve. "So be it. I'll endure every ounce of pain—whether for decades or centuries all over again. I'll break and rebuild, again and again…"
"So long as you give me your power…"
From afar, two men in dark suits stood in stunned silence as a miracle unfolded within the sacred halls of the Morphogen Temple. Their expressions mirrored a mix of awe and the heavy weight of what they had just witnessed.
In truth, it wasn't just Jack, Helix, and the other three Divine Pupils who had come to witness the ritual at Morphogen Temple.
Two officials assigned by the central government were also required to attend and oversee the ceremony.
They had arrived at the temple early that morning to oversee the ritual.
(Some time earlier, before Jack was named a Chosen Pupil...)
Two officials stepped down from the carriage, stood around the temple, engaged in quiet conversation.
"Are we not going in this year either, sir?" the younger officer asked, glancing at the imposing temple gate.
"No, kid... same as always. We stay out here," the older man replied with a weary sigh. "I doubt God Cellaris has had a change of heart... and honestly, I'm tired of seeing that old man's face after every rejection."
"Yeah..." the young man murmured. "I've only witnessed it a few times, and it already crushes me. You've seen it... what, dozens?"
"Too many," the older officer muttered.
"But sir, how much longer do you think Mr. Montgomery can take it?"
The older officer gave him a sidelong glance. "You mean you don't know the limit of that life-extension machine?"
The younger man shook his head.
"That machine can only extend the human lifespan up to 160 years... if the subject can withstand the pain. After the first 60 years, the agony becomes nearly unbearable."
He paused, his eyes narrowing. "Mr. Montgomery has been using it for 160 years. He began this path the day he swore loyalty to God Cellaris... but god has never chosen another human since the first."
The younger man furrowed his brow, putting the pieces together.
"So, what... God Cellaris was just toying with him?"
The older man turned. "What are you suggesting?"
"I mean…" The young officer answered. "After choosing that one human, God Cellaris gifted the world with a machine to extend life. Mr. Montgomery was one of the first to use it—and he devoted everything to worshipping God Cellaris. But then... nothing. God never chose him."
He scoffed bitterly.
"It's like God Cellaris was saying, Here, Jack Montgomery. I grant you a longer life. Let's see how far you're willing to go for me...And then just watched him suffer."
The older officer chuckled grimly.
"No... more like: Here, human. Take this tool. Let's see who's desperate enough to endure centuries of agony just to worship me. And wouldn't you know it... the only one still standing is that old man."
"Sir, shouldn't we be there for his final selection ritual?" the young officer asked with concern.
"Ah, there's no need for that. Let's just stay here," the older officer replied.
Then—
"…And I present to you… the Chosen pupils, Jack Montgomery…"
The young officer's eyes widened. "Did you hear that, sir? I—I didn't mishear that, right?!"
He turned, only to find the elder official frozen in disbelief.
Without even realizing it, the two of them had already begun walking toward the temple steps.
"Mr. Montgomery—c-congratulations!" the younger one stammered, barely able to contain his excitement. "I never thought I'd see the day, but… you did it. You've actually been chosen."
"Congratulations, Mr. Montgomery," the older official said with quiet reverence. " You've finally been acknowledged."
Their voices overlapped as they rushed to offer praise, their tone a mixture of joy, relief, and something like guilt—as if trying to make up for every year he had been overlooked.
Then, one of them cleared his throat and straightened his uniform.
"Ahem… We should proceed with the next phase of the ritual."
"Yes... of course Sir." The other official nodded and composed himself before stepping forward.
"Mr. Jack Montgomery, 220 years old, from Biomara Village.
The Nation extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Divine Pupil for receiving the divine power of God Cellaris.
You now bear the title of The Chosen pupils.
As of this moment, you are officially recognized as a national asset of the Kingdom of Orhyntal.
From this point forward, you will be escorted to the capital by the government.
The next step is to undergo the Farewell Ritual, which must be performed before your official departure to the Capital—where the Divine Contract Ritual will take place, your soul will officially merge with your Beast—transforming you into 'Anima Dei,' a divine vessel of the Gods and a sworn protector of the Orhyntal Nation."
They bowed low.
"Once again—congratulations, Mr. Montgomery."