Blood Assimilation

Randy bombarded the Grand Librarian with questions as if the cosmic being was responsible for his hardships in life.

Even though he had resolved to uncover the secrets his parents were keeping from him by becoming stronger and demanding answers directly from them, he couldn't help but outburst with emotions upon hearing the same lines his parents had insinuated when he overheard their secret conversation.

Carefully listening to the sudden outburst, the Grand Librarian retained his indifferent demeanor, impassively gazing at the young aspirant before him.

"I do not know because I chose not to know. What I can confirm from your past is that the parents you're referring to are not responsible for your past struggles." The Grand Librarian stated cryptically.

Hearing the calm reply from the Grand Librarian, Randy came to himself, realizing he was losing control of his emotions despite managing to keep emotions related to his past in check all this time. Regaining control, he sought clarity in the Grand Librarian's remark.

"What do you mean by that statement? Didn't you say my parents neglected me because of some ultimate purpose?" He inquired, feeling confused.

The Grand Librarian didn't directly respond to his inquiry, stating instead.

"With their achievements from their temporary stay in this universe, I assumed they wouldn't act without purpose. Even to someone of my caliber, possessing nigh infinite wisdom of the cosmos, their intentions and motives are incomprehensible and unfathomable, making it impossible for such existences to cause their child to feel neglected without an ultimate purpose."

Randy felt exasperated by his words, sensing that the Grand Librarian was evading his questions rather than providing direct answers. Despite his frustration, he retained a degree of calmness as he prepared to reiterate his query. He opened his mouth to speak, but the Grand Librarian's voice preempted his action.

"Be that as it may, I suggest you don't dwell too much on your past circumstances. Moreover, I would advise against harboring resentment toward your parents. Your mortal mother endured excruciating pain to deliver a being of your caliber to the mortal world."

"What are you talking about? Just tell me who my parents are. If a strange old man like you knows their identities, why am I, their son, the only one kept in the dark?"

Randy's frustration mounted as he demanded answers, feeling increasingly agitated by the Grand Librarian's elusive responses.

Despite listening to the Grand Librarian, Randy found himself no closer to learning his parents' identities or unraveling the secrets they withheld from him. Instead, the Grand Librarian's indirect and cryptic manner of speaking only deepened the mystery surrounding them.

"Young aspirant, disclosing your parents' true identities is unwise. It would alert hidden forces currently wreaking havoc across the cosmos. If these sinister forces were to be alerted, it would lead to catastrophic consequences, engulfing countless worlds in death and misery.

Your carefree lifestyle would be jeopardized, with the certainty of peril and death looming over you." The Grand Librarian solemnly explained, prompting Randy to furrow his brow as he sensed the sincerity in the words spoken.

The Grand Librarian's manner of speaking made Randy realize something was fundamentally amiss. Initially, he believed his current struggles were significant, but the Grand Librarian's explanation implied a greater purpose beyond his earthly comprehension.

This led him to ponder what the Great Librarian had mentioned about hidden forces currently ravaging the cosmos, and how they would be alerted merely by learning about his parents' identities. Stirred by a growing sense of urgency, a sense of curiosity began to sprout within Randy, and his desire to learn more about his parents skyrocketed.

Before returning to his home world, Randy resolved to elevate his combat power and strength to unprecedented levels, surpassing his peers. At that point, he aimed to confront his parents, compelling them to reveal their true identities and the reasons behind their past mistreatment of him in a time of need.

With this newfound determination, Randy's gaze became firm, his mind no longer filled with cluttered thoughts of consideration.

Sensing the change in Randy's demeanor, the Grand Librarian nodded in appreciation, finally deciding to broach the main subject.

"You have been chosen to receive great wisdom, young aspirant."

Snapping out of his reverie, Randy regained his calm mental state and asked: "Why choose me? I'm sure there are others out there who deserve this so-called great wisdom more than I do. I don't have any grand ambitions or promises to fulfill."

"Fate works in mysterious ways. Your ambitions and promises are irrelevant. What matters is that you have met the criteria set forth by the creators of this library, and thus, you have been brought here to fulfill your destiny." The Grand Librarian announced grandly, his ethereal starry robe fluttering in the non-existent wind.

With a mixture of awe and trepidation, Randy watched as the Great Librarian gestured toward a shimmering portal, through which unfathomable knowledge seemed to beckon.

"What kind of wisdom would I be receiving?" Randy ventured for an explanation.

Instead of offering an explanation, the Grand Librarian retrieved something from the void of space and hovered it toward Randy.

"Take this jade stone, young aspirant. It will serve as your guide and protection during the trial." The Grand Librarian urged.

Determined and filled with anticipation, Randy accepted the jade stone, feeling its energy pulsating beneath his fingertips. With the stone in hand, he approached the portal, ready to embark on his spiritual journey into the unknown.

Standing before the portal, Randy couldn't resist another question.

"What lies beyond this portal?"

"That, young aspirant, is for you to discover." The Grand Librarian stated cryptically.

Before Randy could voice any further inquiries in protest to the cryptic reply, the Great Librarian declared in an enchanting tone, as if reciting an incantation.

"Enter, young aspirant, and receive the wisdom predestined for you. The cosmos awaits the awakening of the champions in this tumultuous era."

Randy was astounded by the Grand Librarian's recitation, which immediately beckoned him to step through the pulsating portal, ignoring the possible dangers inside.

As Randy stepped through the portal, a mixture of awe and trepidation coursed through his psyche. He braced himself for the revelations that awaited him.

Simultaneously, behind him, the chamber reverberated with the whispers of ancient secrets, its surroundings bathed in a golden hue cast by illuminating mystical runes. Observing the changes unfolding around him with a profound expression, the Great Librarian patiently waited for Randy to emerge.

..

Moments later...

The Grand Librarian's gaze, transfixed on the pulsating portal, glowed visibly in cosmic light, his lips curling into a satisfied smile. Not long after, Randy emerged from the portal with a profound expression on his face, his demeanor solemn as he gazed at the crumbled pieces of the Jade Stone in his hands, which had served its purpose during his time in the space the portal led him to.

Earlier, inside the space beyond the portal, Randy was greeted by nothing but complete emptiness, devoid of any source of light. He found himself unable to move his towering figure within the void of total darkness for reasons unknown.

Before he could regret his impulsive decision to heed the Grand Librarian's counsel, he felt the same boundless consciousness from earlier scanning his prodigious body.

Kaleidoscopic rays of light manifested out of thin air, converging and entering the Jade Stone in his hand. Instantly, the stone began to glow with intense luminosity, enveloping him in its luminous light.

Soon, mysterious characters began to manifest in his spiritual mind. Though Randy sensed a profound knowledge entering his mind, transmitted from the Jade Stone, he couldn't decipher its meaning.

Despite his inability to comprehend the mysteries of the knowledge he received, Randy instinctively believed that upon returning to his true body, he would understand and be able to decipher the knowledge engraved on his consciousness. When the transmission process was completed, he was teleported out of the portal space.

In the present...

Squeezing the crumbled jade stone still in his grasp, it scattered, transforming into stardust before disappearing altogether.

"It appears that you've succeeded." The Grand Librarian commented.

"What would have happened if I failed?" Randy inquired, sensing a hidden implication behind the Grand Librarian's words.

"Then your consciousness would have been destroyed, akin to dying in mortal terms." The Grand Librarian casually replied, sending a chill down Randy's spine.

"I know you have many queries and concerns. While I cannot divulge the answers to your demands, I can assist you in reaching the full potential in one of the skills you possess." The Grand Librarian stated calmly, causing Randy's eyes to widen with surprise.

However, his surprised expression vanished the next instant as he felt skeptical of the Grand Librarian's motives. He suspected that the reason he received the knowledge earlier was most likely due to the simultaneous activation of his skills, but receiving something else from the mysterious Grand Librarian might suggest that the latter wanted something from him in return.

Randy was hesitant to subject himself to any constraints for a temporary boost in just one of his skills.

The Grand Librarian noticed Randy's change in demeanor and reassured him.

"No need to worry. I'm merely helping out the son of a friend, nothing more."

This statement made Randy infinitely certain that his parents might be influential figures, to have a friendship with such a cosmic entity.

He stood amid the expansive chamber, his eyes fixed upon the Grand Librarian who moved with otherworldly grace, his robes billowing in a cosmic breeze.

With a wave of his hand, the Grand Librarian produced a scroll from under the depths of his starry sleeve, its ethereal glow illuminating the chamber in ethereal light.

"Behold, young aspirant. This is the Wisdom Scroll envied by myriad living beings of the cosmos. I shall bestow it upon you at this moment in hopes that you might put it to good use during your journey." The Grand Librarian declared with a hint of pride in his intonation.