Re:Awakening with Ultimate Power as a Cosmic God
Chapter 56: Ch 56: The Chosen Ones - Part 3

Chapter 56: Ch 56: The Chosen Ones - Part 3

Malrik led Nova through a wide archway that opened into a vast stone courtyard.

Dozens of people—soldiers, trainees, and temple guards—were scattered around the grounds, sparring or practicing aether manipulation.

Despite their movement, the moment Nova stepped into view, everything slowed.

All eyes turned to look at him.

The aether in the air shifted with unease.

The crowd didn’t hide their scrutiny. Some stared in confusion. Others in distaste. But most held a dangerous mix of curiosity and hostility.

Malrik didn’t seem fazed. He strolled forward, waving at a few familiar faces before glancing back at Nova.

"Try not to look too self-conscious. They’re just not used to seeing outsiders walk through these gates untested. Especially not ones who come with me."

He said casually.

Nova gave a small nod but kept his posture easy and unreadable. His eyes scanned the courtyard, noting the aggressive tension in the gazes pointed his way.

Whispers stirred like wind in a dying forest. Not many were subtle about it.

"They look like they want to gut me."

Nova muttered under his breath.

Malrik chuckled.

"Let them look. You’ll either earn their respect or remind them why they should fear strangers."

As they walked past a group of trainees, one of them stopped mid-form and turned to face them directly.

His stance was proud, his uniform more ornate than the others—clearly a leader among them.

He stepped forward, wiping sweat from his brow, and spoke with a forced calm.

"Commander Malrik, who is this, and why is he in our temple yard?"

He began.

"His name is Nova. He’s a guest. I brought him here to see what he can do in combat."

Malrik replied.

That answer didn’t seem to satisfy the man.

"Guest? Since when do outsiders get the honor of entering the holy yard of the gods as ’guests’? You know what the doctrines say."

The man’s voice hardened.

Malrik’s smile dimmed.

"I’m aware of the doctrines. I also know the gods didn’t stop him at the gate. Did they stop you when you came here your first time?"

The man took a step closer, his gaze darting briefly to Nova.

"That’s not the point. Just because the barrier let him through doesn’t mean he belongs here. This is a sacred place. If the gods grow angry—"

"That’s enough."

Malrik’s voice cracked like a whip across the courtyard.

The air trembled.

A sudden pulse rolled through the temple ground, the aether around them flaring like a ripple across a pond.

The tremor was brief, but powerful—enough to make even seasoned warriors stagger for half a breath.

All conversation stopped.

All movement stilled.

Everyone turned to Malrik.

His expression was still calm, but the gleam in his eyes made the temperature of the room drop a few degrees.

"Nova is here under my authority. Anyone who has a problem with that can bring it to me directly."

He said, voice low but sharp.

Silence.

Even the man who had spoken first backed down slightly, though his jaw was clenched tight.

"I’ll remind you all. This courtyard is not for judgment. It is for growth, strength, and discipline. If any of you think you’re strong enough to ignore that—then prove it. But don’t hide behind imaginary rules and pretend it’s about the gods."

Malrik continued.

No one stepped forward.

The aether settled slowly, like water finding its stillness again.

Malrik exhaled.

"Good. Then get back to your training."

The crowd dispersed quickly, some returning to their drills, others whispering more carefully now. The air remained tense, but it no longer crackled with threat.

Nova walked beside Malrik in silence for a while longer. He watched how the others cast him sideward glances—less aggressive, but still wary.

"You didn’t have to do that."

Nova said finally.

"I didn’t do it for you. I did it because they need to be reminded that strength isn’t inherited. It’s earned. It’s also weird. Usually, I don’t mind them questioning me like this, but I lost my temper this time."

Malrik replied with a dry grin.

Nova said nothing, but the meaning behind Malrik’s words wasn’t lost on him.

Whether or not these people understood it, he had been allowed entry for a reason. And as long as Malrik stood behind him, they wouldn’t dare act.

Still, their hostility lingered in the air, thick and sour.

Respect would come—eventually. But only after Nova gave them a reason to see him as something more than an outsider.

And that... he didn’t mind at all.

As the trainees slowly returned to their drills, still casting glances Nova’s way, Malrik exhaled and ran a hand through his hair.

"That was more noise than I expected today. I was hoping we could spar—test the edge of your blade and mine. But I think I’ve lost the mood for it."

He muttered. Then, with a slight smile, he turned to Nova.

Nova shrugged.

"That’s fine. We’ll cross swords some other time."

Malrik gave him a nod, appreciative of the answer, then clapped a hand on his shoulder before stepping away.

"Training’s starting. I’ve got to oversee today’s drill. If they mess up, it’s on my head."

He walked toward a stack of supplies, sighing as he noticed two trainees already holding bruised arms and bleeding knuckles.

"And of course, they’ve already messed up."

Nova watched him go, amused by the weary captain’s sense of duty. But the moment Malrik disappeared around the corner, a shift occurred.

The trainees who had been wary moments ago now abandoned all pretense of minding their own business.

They circled him.

A half-dozen figures—sweaty, bruised, hungry for something—surrounded Nova with forced smiles and glinting eyes.

"Hey, stranger. You’re not from around here, are you?"

One said with a sarcastic grin.

Another chimed in. "How did an outsider walk into our sacred training yard like it’s his backyard?"

A third crossed his arms and narrowed his gaze.

"Commander Malrik might tolerate you, but that doesn’t mean we do."

Nova tilted his head, his arms folded.

"That so?"

The group stiffened slightly, unsure whether to be offended or cautious. The tension sat just on the edge of exploding.

Then Nova smiled.

Calm. Cold. Mocking. NovelFire

"Well, if I had to guess, I’d say it’s because your god likes me more than he likes fools like you."

He said lightly.

A silence fell.

It lasted a second. Maybe two.

Then came the angry voices.

"The hell did you just say?!"

"You’ve got a big mouth for someone who doesn’t belong here!"

"You dare speak of the divine like that?!"

Hands twitched toward practice weapons. One trainee took a step forward, nostrils flared.

Nova just stood there, eyes half-lidded, completely unimpressed.

"You lot should really be more careful. If your god hears you getting rattled by an outsider’s words, he might start thinking you’re not worth keeping around."

He said casually, voice low and taunting.

The insult hit like a slap. Their faces twisted in outrage.

And yet—none of them moved. Not really.

Because underneath all that fire... they weren’t stupid. They’d seen how the barrier let Nova through. They’d felt the weight in the air when Malrik defended him.

And something deep in their instincts told them... picking a fight with Nova might not end well.