Planet Master

“Planet Master System…” Smagenrog weighed the choice whether to tell Tatsumi or not since the Planet Master System even monitored the Afterlife Model of the Planet Master.

“All I can say is that your Father God definitely know what it is. You have asked him about this, right?” Smagenrog said.

“Yes. But He said that we are under the management of the Planet Master which is supervised by the Planet Master System. That’s all He said.” Tatsumi frowned whenever he recalled it.

It was because the implication that such a powerful being was tied and supervised by something grander that caused Tatsumi’s mind to be shaken. If not for his family reminding him that he had them, he would be broken down.

“Well, there is something called a filter which censors out things that are not meant to be known for lower-level clearance. You know about this too, right?” Smagenrog said.

Tatsumi felt a bit strange since the wording of the dragon was not only meant for him.

The question was who else other than him could know about this information? When Tatsumi thought about it in detail, he realized one such figure existed.

“Of course, I know about that.” A man in his twenties with a black suit and black pants, along with black shoes, appeared right behind Tatsumi.

Tatsumi’s eyes widened as he was surprised that Dian appeared so suddenly. But he had expected Dian to know almost everything that had happened in his influence.

“Planet Master of the Human Race…I can’t believe that I have to witness this scene where humanity began its journey anew.” Smagenrog said while letting out a snort.

“I also can’t believe that you have evaded my detection. That is some great achievement.” Dian replied without being servile or overbearing.

“So what are you doing hiding here?” Dian asked.

“The moment I entered that Slayer’s mind, I gave him all of the knowledge I have. But it looks like some restrictions are in place and I could only give him all the transcendent knowledge I have. As for the other thing, it was censored.” Smagenrog replied.

Then he added, “The moment I finally let my consciousness fade from his mind, I found myself in this Afterlife Model. Knowing that your races are fearing me, I’d hide from their eyes and ears, of course.”

Dian nodded while Tatsumi opened his mouth but then shut it down.

“Then you found a suitable place for yourself to rest and enjoy.” Tatsumi said while looking straight at Smagenrog’s eyes.

“That’s right. This place is the most suitable place according to my existing knowledge. This place is deserted and there are no people to wander into my hidden place.” Smagenrog added.

“Ha, this turns out to be slightly complicated. Especially about the Planet Master System, we need to be careful not to attract the Universe Council unwanted attention.” Dian sighed as he said this.

“I am sorry for triggering the censors. I promise that I will only talk about it when you have sufficient clearance.” Smagenrog apologized.

“Hey, how about we go around the Library of Consciousness?” Tatsumi waved his hand to gain attention since the two were done with their conversation.

“Sure. Let’s ride on his back.” Dian said.

“Fine. This is a rare thing to do but you two are worthy. Get on!” Smagenrog then lay on all four while letting the two climb up on his back.

Then Smagenrog slowly crawled out of the cave and emerged. Tatsumi and Dian enjoyed the view outside the cave.

Smagenrog then expanded his wings as he finally ascended to the sky. The sun in the sky of the Library of Consciousness was actually from the Violet Sun Virya reflected to this place.

“We’re flying!” Tatsumi had never experienced flying on a dragon. Dian too felt that this was his first direct experience flying on the back of a dragon.

The scenery below them changed quite quickly since Smagenrog’s flying speed was quite high.

“I feel almost no wind passes through me. Is this your doing?” Tatsumi asked since he felt that the air flow should go through him at a high speed.

“Yes. Do you feel uncomfortable?” Smagenrog asked.

“Not at all. This is the most pleasant flying other than on a plane and a helicopter.” Tatsumi replied with a slight smile on him.

“Your flying skill is still there, it seems.” Dian commented which was actually a compliment.

“Thank you, esteemed Planet Master.” Smagenrog said which felt like he was smiling but Tatsumi could not see it clearly.

They flew through cities built that was built by memories, through plains, mountains, rivers and even beaches and sea.

Smagenrog flew to almost all the terrains which was an eye-opening experience for Tatsumi. Flying on the back of the dragon was the first to him so he savored it.

Dian, on the other hand, used this opportunity to look at the entire Library of Consciousness through the perspective of a living sentient being. It was not bad at least.

Then Smagenrog returned to near the cave where he resided and let Tatsumi and Dian land.

“Can you become smaller? You are so big that the entire people down there are reacting so strongly.” Dian suggested.

Smagenrog realized that in this place, his presence would bring unease so he changed his size to become as small as a bird.

Then he perched on Tatsumi’s shoulder.

“Well, looks like I need to wake up.” Tatsumi said. After some time in the Library of Consciousness, he needed to wake up and continue his life. Despite being a Perfect Connection to the Library of Consciousness, he still needed to live his life.

“Smagenrog, let’s meet again if the opportunity allows.” Tatsumi said while waving his hand and slowly dissipated.

Smagenrog was hovering in the air while looking at Dian.

“Let me introduce you to the people I find reliable.” Dian then snapped his finger and the two were teleported to the inside of a building where the three forefathers were busy dealing with a large flow of new information.

“Oh, those three. I think I know what they are doing.” Smagenrog said while keeping himself in the air.

“What are you doing here!?” Goto, who raised his head since the appearance of the two was sudden, looked at Smagenrog and knew that the dragon should not be here.

“Looks like he is hooked by our Library of Consciousness. The good news is that he is no longer hostile toward us.” Dian said with leisure.

“Hah, I thought so. Of course, the dragon would be here. But what I don’t understand is why he is hiding from us?” Kudungga sighed before throwing a question.

“Most of you fear me, making me a symbol of terror. If I suddenly appear in front of you, what would you think?” Smagenrog asked in a calm tone.

“Fair enough. But now, you don’t need to hide. Since we are in the same place in the Afterlife, we might as well enjoy it. You even bypass the punishment that is due for everyone so I don’t know what that means.” Chi You said.

Smagenrog was not punished by the system that worked in the Library of Consciousness and that was the strange part.

“Actually, I have been punished.” Smagenrog said something that made all the Nafs there surprised.

“What punishment do you receive if I may know?” Goto asked.

“Punishment of separation. Unlike you, who can connect to the living, I cannot form a bond with any living being. Although, this punishment actually befits a living being more than me.” Smagenrog was a dragon and a dragon could glean so much information from observation alone.

“I see. Similar to mine but you are not confined to a dark space so that’s fortunate for you.” Chi You said.

“Is that envy I sense?” Smagenrog was sensitive to emotion and realized that the Nafs who had the essence of the individual known as Chi You felt envious of him.

"I see. Being confined and isolated is the punishment here." Smagenrog had a sudden realization and knew that the punishment was severe.

"Well, Tatsumi and I enjoyed riding him for some time before coming here so don’t be too hard on him.” Dian was giving a suggestion.

“Oh, no wonder I feel something flying past. That’s the reason.” Kudungga nodded in understanding.

“So how’s your impression on one of our Star Child?” Goto asked Smagenrog. According to the knowledge that Tatsumi had shared, Smagenrog knew so many things that digesting it took years.

Now, they wanted to know what kind of opinion did the dragon had with their Star Child.

“He is shouldering the advancement of the transcendent world. For someone like him, perhaps it is a fitting objective.” Smagenrog said after a pause.

“But I believe he is not the only Star Child you have, is that right?” Smagenrog already had an idea that the number of Star Child the Cerulean Planet possessed surpassed one. It was a certainty and not a probability, which was why he tried to verify this.

“Well, can you accept that our Star Children form a family with each other?” Kudungga asked.

“What does that mean?” Smagenrog felt that something extraordinary had happened.

“Precisely what it means. They are a family. You don’t believe it?” Kudungga tilted his head and teased the dragon which had much knowledge.

“That means the fortune of the planet and the destiny seed of the Human race are concentrated. That’s not bad.” Smagenrog commented after thinking and projecting the probability of this happening and its significance.

“Indeed, it is not bad, but they deeply affect each other in a way that is both a strength and a weakness. That’s what I’m worried about.” Goto said.

“I only visited that man’s mindscape for a moment so I don’t know about his situation. My only knowledge related to the entire civilization of the Cerulean Planet’s transcendence and faintly about its technology so forgive me for not knowing.” Smagenrog apologized which was something rare.

“Don’t mind it.” Chi You knew that he needed to placate the dragon who humbled himself.

He continued, “After all, it is perhaps the workings of fate. I believe that is the case for this and the Father God probably had a hand in it.”

Smagenrog was listening when he realized that Dian had become the background character, only listening to the conversation.

When Smagenrog’s eyes turned to Dian, Dian smiled slightly as he nodded. Dian knew that hiding something from a dragon was a hard thing to do. Especially when the trace was obvious, he only needed to follow it to reach the source of the trace.

“I wanted to change the fate of that young man but who would have thought that he was actually the most suitable individual to become a transcendent.” Dian said honestly.

From Dian’s perspective, it was an unexpected boon. If it were not for Tatsumi, the development of the transcendent world would have been delayed for a few decades or even a century.

“I can see that. No wonder I feel familiar with him. It was because he shared the same hardship with me. But since you changed his situation, it looks like the pain he has suffered is for his loved ones so he feels that it was worth it.” Smagenrog realized this thing and explained it to the others.

“Yeah. I mean he is a strong one. When I peer into his future before changing his situation, he had to endure so many things just to achieve something. I just gave him a shortcut and he connected with so many influential people that he could achieve more.” Dian agreed and explained some things from his perspective.

“Since you’ve become part of my Afterlife Model, you can probably participate in the Afterlife Arena.” Dian said.

Smagenrog who listened, realized what he wanted to do.

“Do you want me to become one of yours?” Smagenrog asked something that even he did not expect.

It was at the spur of a moment but Smagenrog felt that he asked the question too hastily.

He was still an Infant Dragon, not a fully developed one, so he felt the struggle to become stronger and mature into an adult.

Then all of the people in the building planned something for Smagenrog to participate in the Afterlife Arena. The thought of letting the dragon out would be so thrilling to them but probably devastate many opponents.

-

“How long have I been sitting?” Tatsumi returned to the living world and felt like some time had passed. The problem was that he did not know the exact time so he checked his multifunction wristwatch.

Seeing the time and date, he realized that he had been in the Library of Consciousness for some time, and it matched the time he had spent in seclusion.

‘Fortunately, nothing significant changed the flow of time.’ Tatsumi thought with a happy face.

Even though he could participate in the Afterlife Arena, he did not dare to say it to anyone since he was afraid that the higher laws would prevent him from visiting ever again.

Then Tatsumi checked his transcendent energy circulation, his core which started to form a debris of a proto planet, as well as his physical body and mindscape.

“Well, I can say that I am a healthy transcendent.” Tatsumi concluded. After all, there were cases where a transcendent had difficulty flowing his or her transcendent energy in their pathway due to various reasons.

Furthermore, some transcendents had difficulties forming their core.

Some had difficulties breaking through to the next realm.

Some had difficulties opening the first gate inside their bodies.

Some had difficulties with entering their mindscape.

Whatever the case, there was always something that Tatsumi needed to do to optimize the best way for everyone to feel comfortable doing the routine of a transcendent.

Of course, the top transcendents were talented enough that they could manage on their own, and a bit of guidance was enough for them to develop rapidly.

“Now, let’s go out. I have enough of this.” Tatsumi said while trying to stand up. He could feel that his legs became slightly numb so he used the transcendent energy to flow into his legs and it became comfortable for him to stand.

The small room was dark because Tatsumi wanted to seclude himself in the darkness. It was comfortable that way and he could rest for a bit. He sat down cross-legged previously because before he fell asleep, he was focused on opening the second Psyche-Locks as well as the second gate.

Tatsumi then went out of the room which was designed for seclusion and found that everyone was present in his home.

“Oh, you're finally out. Done with your seclusion?” Charlene was the first one to react.

“Yeah. It feels good that I met someone familiar.” Tatsumi yawned and blinked his eyes before he sighed.

Charlene’s eyes did not leave his presence as her eyes glimmered.

“That’s good for you and everyone, right?”

“Hmm. Good enough that we will be able to do so much more.” Tatsumi replied while his gaze swept around the dining room.

The time was right for dinner, so he expected that the smell of delicious food would waft around. The family was once again together, so he thought that he needed to spend it with them.

Sitting on the chair of the dining table were Ame, Tetsuya, and Ivana.

Staring at Tetsuya, Tatsumi asked, “How’s your progress?”

Tetsuya blinked before he realized that his father asked him something.

“What do you mean?” Tetsuya suddenly felt nervous because he could see that his father’s gaze had a knowing look in it.

“You went into the Royal Sacred Tree to train. You definitely have someone you fancy there.” Tatsumi said with a smirk.

Tetsuya felt blood rush to his face as the other member of his family looked at him with an amused expression.

Ame looked at Tatsumi and realized that even he knew about the subtle change that had happened in the family.

“Just…introduce her when the time comes.” Tatsumi said before he went in to eat.

The rest then eat with relish since the food was their favorite.

“But she is someone you know.” Tetsuya said after some consideration.

“You took this too long. Might as well go for it, you know.” Tatsumi was exasperated by the progress of his child trying to get his daughter-in-law. The effort could be seen but the progress felt like being stuck in the important phase and Tatsumi felt that it was enough waiting and now wanted to take action if necessary.

“But Father…” Tetsuya wanted to reply but was interjected.

“Your Father is right. We are all waiting but you still haven’t made further progress. If you need help, we will help you.” Even Ame said this because she wanted Tetsuya to be able to bear more responsibility.

She knew that Tetsuya liked someone from the Elf Race but the progress somehow stuck so despite spending more time there, Tetsuya’s progress stalled for a certain reason.

Tetsuya was stunned and went silent.

“Are you having difficulty expressing your feelings? Or is it because you thought you were not worthy of her?” Tatsumi tried to guess what kind of obstacles his son had.