Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

The next day, Hades made his way through the academy grounds, heading toward Elder Thalnor's residence. He had asked a few officers for directions, and they all pointed him to a remote corner of the academy grounds.

As Hades approached, the atmosphere around Elder Thalnor's dwelling grew increasingly unsettling.

The sky seemed to dim unnaturally, and a cold wind whistled through the skeletal branches of nearby trees, casting long, twisted shadows across the ground. The air itself felt heavy, as if it carried a warning.

He halted in front of a large, weathered door, its surface marked by age and faint, strange symbols. Hades took a breath, his eyes narrowing. The place felt alive with a malevolent energy. He raised his voice, calm but sharp.

"Elder Thalnor, I have arrived. What did you need with me, Elder?"

For a moment, there was silence. Then, a slow, deliberate creak echoed through the air as the door opened inward, revealing the silhouette of Elder Thalnor standing just inside.

His figure was still, almost too still, like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike. A faint, hollow smile formed on the elder's lips, but his eyes remained cold, almost calculating.

"Ah, Hades." His voice was smooth, but there was an unmistakable edge to it, something dark lurking beneath the surface.

"I've been expecting you. It's simple, really. I want to prepare you. There's something important coming at the end of this year, something that will change everything... and I believe you'll want to be ready."

Hades arched an eyebrow, his lips curling into a knowing smirk. "Oh? What could be so important, Elder?" His tone carried a mix of curiosity and amusement, but there was caution behind his words, as if he were testing the elder's intentions.

Elder Thalnor stepped forward, his smile widening, but the coldness in his eyes never faltered. "The Abyss Hole will be unsealed."

At the mention of the name, Hades felt a slight shift in the air. He remained calm but couldn't help the flicker of intrigue that passed through his expression. "Abyss Hole?" He spoke the words slowly, tasting them as if they were of some forgotten, forbidden power. "What sort of place is that?"

Elder Thalnor's smile deepened, his eyes gleaming with something dark and secretive. His voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper, as if he were about to reveal a forbidden truth. "A place filled with thick Death mana and vicious souls," he said, his tone dripping with both reverence and danger.

"To the outside world, it's known as a forbidden zone, a place of nightmares that no sane person would dare enter." He paused, his smile widening, eyes narrowing with grim excitement. "But for us... it's a holy land. The Death mana that saturates the air, the ground, everything within it—it will empower us, make us stronger than you can imagine. It's a gift waiting to be claimed."

Hades tilted his head slightly, the corners of his mouth curling into a thoughtful smirk. "I see," he said slowly, his voice betraying the spark of intrigue growing within him. "So this so-called holy land will soon be accessible?"

Thalnor gave a slow, deliberate nod, his smile never fading. "Yes. At the end of the year, the Abyss Hole will be unsealed, for the first time in centuries."

Hades raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued even further. "But if it's such a sacred place for us, I imagine it isn't without its dangers."

"Correct," Thalnor said, his tone growing more serious as he clasped his hands behind his back. "Even though it's sacred to us, it's still a place of immense peril. The Abyss Hole is home to countless evil monsters, ferocious souls that have roamed the depths for ages. They are relentless, and they show no mercy. Only the strong can survive in that place."

Hades let the words sink in, his gaze steady as he studied Thalnor's expression. The elder's excitement was palpable, but there was also something else—an underlying eagerness, perhaps even desperation. Hades knew this wasn't just about training him.

Thalnor continued, his voice softening as he leaned in slightly, his eyes locking onto Hades'. "You'll need to be stronger than you are now if you wish to survive. But I've watched you closely, Hades. I've seen enough to know that you're different... a genius among your peers. That's why I want to personally train you, to ensure you're ready for what lies ahead."

Hades remained silent for a moment, his smirk fading into a more neutral expression as he considered the elder's offer. "You're quite confident in my abilities," he remarked, his voice calm but edged with amusement. "What makes you so sure I'm the one to invest in?"

Thalnor smiled wider, his gaze unwavering. "Because, Hades, I've never been wrong about these things. And with my guidance, you'll become more powerful than you can imagine. The Abyss Hole will not only be a test for you... but a gateway to your true potential."

Hades' smirk grew sharper, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Very well, Elder," he said with a smooth, almost mocking tone. "If that's the case, I'll accept your offer. Though, I can't help but feel there's far more to this than you're revealing."

Elder Thalnor's smile broadened, the gleam in his eyes now unmistakable—he was clearly hiding something. His voice took on a silkier edge. "You're perceptive, Hades. That's why you intrigue me. But all in due time. For now, you must trust that what I offer will lead you to power beyond your imagination."

Hades didn't respond immediately, his smirk fading into a calm, measured expression. He studied the elder for a moment, his gaze cold but curious. "Power, you say?" His voice was soft but carried a weight that hinted at both intrigue and suspicion.

Thalnor leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "More power than you've ever tasted. But first, we must begin your training. Follow me."

Without another word, Elder Thalnor turned and led the way, guiding Hades out of the academy and into the wilderness surrounding it. Hades followed silently, his mind calculating, as the eerie wind whispered through the trees.