Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 915 - 850: Spirit Summon: The Deity

They said: Let there be light.

It was as if the world had overturned, the ocean reached the heavens, and the Sea of Holy Light descended from the skies. No rainfall could compare to its terror, like an apocalyptic deluge.

Its majesty and splendor coexisted, and the Phantoms caught within its range stood still to admire it, expressing their awe. The sanctity within the liquid light was indistinguishable from the most beautiful qualities of humanity. Phantoms inclined to goodness did not evade this baptism, as even the faintest thought of retreat was overwhelmed by an intense reluctance.

Lyle’s internal mental space was being submerged by Holy Light.

The reactions of the two Omens, as embodiments of his mind, were different from the Phantoms. They instinctively avoided the Holy Light energy, unwilling to be tainted by these pristine and surreal positive traits. This flood seemed tailored specifically for them; joyful laughter from the Phantoms rippled through golden waves, chasing the two Omens like sharks scenting blood.

With nowhere to escape, vast amounts of Holy Light seemed intent on thoroughly purifying Lyle’s spirit. The Omen incarnations, as reflections of his psyche, undoubtedly became focal targets of the Holy Light’s attention.

One Omen seized the opportunity, clumsily retreating into the black mud covering the mental ground. Deep Sea Omen was less fortunate; the shimmering mental ocean pulled him into the light with rebellious waters, emitting a howl of discomfort.

The rising tide finally ebbed away, revealing the blackened land. The Omen pulled himself out from the crevices, stretching his limbs. The entire mental space became bright and transparent, with a trace of warmth lingering in the air. The Phantoms quickly gathered around, their gilded, pulsating forms dancing around the Omen, their inner joy exuding not a hint of dissatisfaction.

There was no doubt—Holy Light had transformed Lyle, though not in a brainwashing, assimilative manner, but rather coexisting with his original Power of the Evil God. Lyle’s apartment had acquired new tenants.

The Omen stared at the familiar yet unfamiliar figure walking across the sea, both parties silent in mutual gaze.

The newcomer had curled chestnut-brown hair, a bearded chin, draped in a white robe. His bare feet treaded upon the water’s surface, his exposed skin glowing with light so dazzling that his features were indistinguishable. Yet simply gazing at him conveyed sanctity and compassion.

The Omen’s intuition told him that this radiant human was another version of himself—more precisely, he was the Deep Sea Omen who had been captured by Holy Light energy. Now, he lacked the rebellious horns, the concealed mask, and the chaotic tentacle-like body.

Even his dejected expression carried a hint of a compassionate smile.

The Omen racked his brains and used all his wisdom to comfort himself: "Should I give you a new name—’Holy Light Omen’? You’re no longer connected to ’Deep Sea.’"

He laughed as though crying.

"Can I even say no? That would merely be self-deception. What frustrates me even more is, why haven’t you been transformed?" In truth, the Omen incarnation understood the reason; Lyle’s abilities had been split into two halves, with authority from the First to the Fifth Locks imprinted on the skeletal remains formed by the Omen. The former Spirit Summoner’s identity had been anchored. Holy Light reconstructed Lyle’s present state, developing a new Holy Light system starting from the Sixth Tier in the Deep Sea Omen.

This led to Lyle’s peculiar situation.

His individual strength manifested in Liches-related Spirit Summoning skills and his unique Phantom Clan. Yet the group that truly regarded Lyle as their spiritual leader, willing to follow his orders and lend their strength, belonged to another collective—the Congregation of Holy Spirit Bishops, who bestowed him the title of Honorary Priest.

The transformed Holy Light Bishops now viewed Lyle as the spokesperson of the Holy Spirit and the leader of the Holy Light.

Power of the Evil God and Holy Light tightly gripped in his hands. Chains of obsession entwined his body, while Feather Wings of Light sprouted behind him. The titled entities—Honorary Priest, Nominal Lich, Evil God Child, Light’s Saint Heir—formed the identity of Lyle Toth.

Four Angels guarded the surroundings, behind them was the Congregation of Holy Spirit Bishops, allied forces of various races, Liches and dragons, and the Support Troops of Light.

"I hear the hearts of everyone—their prayers, their wishes. The living, the deceased, their obsessions as well as their hopes. I shall fulfill them, for this is the reason they offer me their strength."

Lyle felt countless hands lifting his body, the light gathering upon his form. Raymond, George, Gallaron, Raphael, Aldington, and everyone channeled their light of hope toward him.

[Angels Guide, God Manifests]

The radiance falling upon Lyle’s body expanded, and divine nature awakening was becoming a true deity.

God required flesh. Among the legions, a towering creation of muscle and sinew—a Necro-Gundam—strode forward. This Spirit Summoning construct, led by Lyle’s design, became God’s physical vessel due to its connection with him.

God required a persona. The Omen and Holy Light Omen alike felt resonance—this was essentially a unique Spirit Summoning Ritual. Lyle needed to divide a portion of his soul to imbue the vessel, becoming the primary persona of God. The two Omens felt exhilarated; manifesting God before the world was an unparalleled accomplishment, an act worthy of reverence and awe—precisely what their existence as Omen incarnations originally sought. Now, both Omens had the qualifications to become God’s persona.

Both believed Lyle would choose themselves, certain it was inevitable.

Omen: "I am the original future; you are merely an accidental split. Becoming God of the World has always been my destiny. Even though Lyle altered some aspects, I am still the most fitting choice."

Holy Light Omen: "Lyle doesn’t even like you! You represent a rejected future. Besides, this is a deity forged of Holy Light—if you possessed it, the divine nature would rot! I’ve been purified by Holy Light; my existence is sacred beyond doubt, making me a perfect fit for the God of the Heart."

The light emanating from Lyle had already enveloped the Necro-Gundam; God was about to appear. The two Omens jostled each other, responding to the summons as they merged into the radiance. The divine figure began to emerge, formed perfectly in accordance with the soul’s incarnated self.

Sentient beings turned their gazes toward the towering Giant of Light, though they could not make out clear details.

The Legion of Holy Light, accustomed to the glaring brilliance, looked at the angel-surrounded towering entity with both reverence and emotional fervor.

"That is our Holy Lord..."

God is...

"It’s Nia!"

Scaled-up proportions of stubby little hands and legs, a slightly chubby yet adorable face—God appeared as a giant human girl, seemingly no older than a toddler.

Omen & Holy Light Omen: ...

The Legion of Holy Light also fell silent. This divine manifestation reflected Lyle’s inner self. Lyle Butler’s subconscious had determined that the most powerful and intimate form of his persona was Nia, leading God to take on Nia’s likeness.

Those who understood Lyle found clarity in their hearts, though others did not comprehend.

"Our newly acknowledged Saint Heir imagined a five-year-old girl?"

"...Had this happened in my time as the Master, we wouldn’t even hold a trial—straight to the execution flames."

"Great, we sent off the unreliable Raymond only to have his replacement be equally absurd."

Archbishop Aldington Mellock, however, chuckled lightheartedly.

"The form Lyle envisioned as the strongest is that of a young child. An innocent child is the purest and holiest incarnation. Strength is not what we seek; youthful innocence and pure goodness are the true essence of power. I believe this is precisely what Lyle wishes to convey."

The Paladins came to realization, their perspective of the divine shifting. The Holy Light Bishops applauded in agreement, reflecting on their previously narrow-minded views. Someone proposed to promote this as the new Holy Light doctrine: that young girls are the world’s purest and most beautiful existence.

Soon, the congregation of aging Holy Spirit Bishops, dedicated to Holy Light, reconsidered the gender implications of this vision, amending their stance.

"Actually, boys would be better! The Saint Heir is male—let’s use him as the ideal model."

"That’s right! Boys are a better choice!"

"Young boys are the most beautiful beings in the world!"