Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100

Lucas's lips curved into a polite smile, his head inclining just slightly.

His voice, though measured, carried across the area. Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

"The Lower Domain rarely witnesses an occasion where Ascendants gather in such numbers."

A pause.

"What brings such esteemed guests all the way to the East Region?"

The question hung in the air.

And then—

From within the ranks of the Ascendants, one man stepped forward.

Immediately, the tension shifted.

Unlike the others, who wore robes of varying colors, this man was different.

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, every line and fold pristine. A neatly tied black tie sat at his collar, immaculate.

His jet-black hair was combed back meticulously, not a single strand out of place. Every inch of him radiated control—a man of order in a world of chaos.

His movements were deliberate. Calm. Measured. Absolute.

Even before he spoke, his presence alone demanded attention.

Then—his voice followed.

Smooth. Even. Devoid of emotion.

"I am Cain."

His sharp black eyes scanned the gathered leaders—observing, calculating, unshaken.

"Second-in-command of the Ascendants."

A single introduction, yet it carried a weight that could not be ignored.

Another pause.

Then—

His next words shattered the silence.

"We have come for the Ascension Ceremony."

"Ascension Ceremony?!"

The words rippled through the area like a shockwave.

The gathered leaders—Envoy Lucas, Kate, Norton, Aurelia, and the others—stiffened, their expressions shifting from shock to grim understanding.

They knew what this meant.

And for the first time, the weight of true danger settled in their eyes.

The Ascension Ceremony was no mere recruitment.

It was an unspoken law, a sacred ritual among the strongest forces of the Lower Domain—a ritual that no one could refuse.

A ritual held by the Ascendants.

Every major power had heard of it.

Few had ever witnessed one firsthand.

And now—it was happening here.

In the Ascension Ceremony, the Ascendants would choose one individual—

A warrior.

A genius.

A potential recruit.

The chosen would be issued a challenge.

And they had no say in it.

They would have to fight.

Their opponent? A designated warrior from the Ascendants themselves.

A battle with only two outcomes.

If the chosen won—

They had the right to decide whether to accept or decline the invitation to join the Ascendants.

If the chosen lost—

They would be taken.

No negotiations.

No refusals.

They would cease to be part of the Lower Domain.

From that moment on—they belonged to the Ascendants.

But what made the Ascension Ceremony truly terrifying wasn't the battle.

It wasn't even the stakes.

It was the absolute rule.

One could not decline the challenge.

Refusal meant death.

There were no exceptions.

No power, no authority, not even the Monarch himself could interfere once the challenge was issued.

It was a law older than kingdoms, a ritual beyond mortal control.

And now, as the weight of Cain's words settled over them, the area plunged into a suffocating silence.

Max's eyes darkened.

He knew—

They had come for him.

The invitation from before.

And now, their arrival.

Too many coincidences.

Too many threads leading back to him.

Max's mind raced, piecing together the events, but before he could dwell on it—

"Ascension Ceremony…"

Envoy Lucas's voice cut through the silence.

His tone was neutral, but there was a knowing edge behind it.

A small smirk played at his lips, though his eyes were as sharp as ever.

"I wonder who is lucky enough to be chosen by the Ascendants."

His words were purposeful.

But everyone already knew the answer.

There was only one genius in the East Region who could be considered worthy.

Only one name that carried enough weight.

Max.

All eyes turned toward him—some filled with wariness, others with schadenfreude.

And then—Cain moved.

His gaze landed on Max.

There was no hesitation.

'Damn it,' Max cursed internally. 'They really are here for me!'

Cain took a step forward.

His expression remained calm. Unreadable. Absolute.

"I am here for that boy, Max Morgan."

The words were spoken without flourish, without theatrics.

Just a fact.

A statement of certainty.

Cain raised a single hand, pointing directly at him.

"Our plans for Max Morgan were different," he continued, "but after seeing his battles in the Temple, we realized he holds far more value than any other candidate in the Ascension Ceremony."

Silence.

The area stood still.

Some warriors and guild leaders looked at Max solemnly, realizing what this meant.

Others… smirked, gloating at his misfortune.

'Max is chosen by the Ascendants…'

Aurelia's thoughts churned as she observed Cain, her golden eyes flickering between Max and the gathered Ascendants.

'Is it because his strength defies logic?'

Or—

'Is there another reason?'

Cain turned to Max, his gaze unwavering, his voice calm and absolute.

"There are two choices for you."

His words carried a finality that could not be ignored.

"Either you willingly join us, the Ascendants…"

A pause.

"Or you will participate in the Ascension Ceremony."

Cain's tone was neutral, devoid of threat or persuasion.

Just pure, cold certainty.

"What's your choice?"

Max let out a deep sigh.

He glanced at Cain, then at the black rift hanging in the sky, before shaking his head.

"Do I have a third choice of just watching?"

A few in the crowd nearly choked at his words.

Cain, however, remained unfazed.

"No."

His tone didn't change, but there was something in his gaze—a flicker of unspoken meaning.

"You were chosen by the Lord himself. It is in your best interest that you join the Ascendants."

His voice was even, assured.

"With the blessings of being an Ascendant, and with the fact that you have been personally chosen by the Lord, your strength will reach a realm that no other genius could ever hope to achieve."

Max's eyes narrowed slightly.

'The Lord?'

That name stood out.

But he didn't care.

Strength? Given to him?

That wasn't real power.

Strength that came from an external source was nothing more than a borrowed crutch.

If it wasn't earned by his own hands, then it wasn't his.

Max exhaled, shaking his head.

"I see… I understand."

His tone remained calm, but his eyes sharpened.

He then met Cain's gaze directly.

"But tell me again—what is the goal of this organization?"

His voice carried a challenging edge.

"If I'm to join any group, I'd like to know everything about them before making my decision."

Cain's response was immediate.

"You will know everything… once you become an Ascendant."

That was all he said.

No elaboration.

No explanation.

Just a single, absolute truth.

Max's smile faded.

"So, either I join you people blindly, or I take the Ascension Ceremony challenge, is that it?"

Cain nodded.

Max fell silent for a moment.

His gaze flicked toward Aurelia, toward the leaders of the Phoenix Order guild, but he already knew.

Even if they wanted to help him, they couldn't.

Not against the Ascendants.

The situation was set in stone.

If he wanted to maintain his freedom, there was only one path forward.

Max let out a slow, deliberate breath.

Then, he locked eyes with Cain and spoke, his voice steady, firm—unwavering.

"I would like to join the Ascension Ceremony."

Silence fell.

The area felt colder.

The choice had been made.

And there was no turning back.