Aleph only had the [Wandering] ability for a short time. Yet, he was able to see through the mysteries contained within it.
It was a part of a godless pathway. The origins of [Blink] and [Wandering] was a complicated world that put an emphasis on gods. They were more similar to the Lovecraftian deities.
The abilities they bore varied upon each Pathway. [Wandering] and [Blink] came from the so-called "Door Pathway" that majored in dimensions—be it locking, exploring, or escaping. Its skillset lied on the traveling part, hence the power to travel dimensions by [Wandering].
It did not even take a second before Aleph reappeared on the Mesosphere. The sight within this atmospheric layer was filled with auroras. The dark space and dazzling stars added another hint of charm to it.
'This is a good place to bring others.'
Nobody could have expected for him to turn it into a dating spot.
These idle thoughts did not last for long. A familiar voice appeared on his head.
{Announcement: Unique Skill [Great Sage] has finished transforming into Ultimate Skill [Metatron]. The Unique Skill [Investigator] was assimilated into the said skill.}
For some reason, Aleph felt more fluctuations appear on Great Sage—no, Metatron's flat voice. Her usual robotic tone previously held semblances with Bronya. Now, it sounded more similar to the Herrscher of Reason Bronya.
It seems like it wasn't done speaking yet.
{Announcement: Several authorities have been detected. Begin analyzing?}
A translucent blue phane appeared in his sight. It was reminiscent of the prompts the Achievement Hunter gave to him.
The moment he gave his affirmation, Metatron gave out a vague hint.
'Thought Acceleration..?'
When Aleph decided to use it, the world turned colorless. Everything became still in his eyes.
Time had stopped.
'No, this isn't time stopping. My thoughts are moving too fast…'
The changes from a [Unique Skill] to an [Ultimate Skill] surprised him. It was the equivalent of ascending to godhood in one step.
While it processed its analysis, Aleph took the time to observe everything using his elemental sight. This supernatural power that he gained in the early stages was now showing its full potential.
The ability to see the essence of information itself was not something everybody had. It was a completely unique ability given to the most special existences.
If there was someone who possessed elemental sight, Aleph had a hunch he would be a protagonist of his world.
'Ultimate Skills. The power to control fundamental laws of the world. A high-level reality-bending ability. It's a gift… no…'
He was trying his best to see its 'origin'. Elemental sight held the power to project the past. It was limited to forty-eight hours before. His 'level up' to a Spirit, consequently to a god, affected it.
When he completed the Sephira Crystal, Albion's container became complete. That granted Aleph the power similar to an Ultimate One's. However, it did not end there.
First, there was the Fragment of Nihility. It was directly thrown inside the Sephira Crystal along with Albion's strength.
Then there was the [Blank Pathway]. It pushed Aleph to the forefront of a [Path], becoming its "Aeon" in turn.
Things did not end there.
The [Blank Pathway] awakened the power inside him—the indescribable light. At first, Aleph thought it held the power to 'protect', but he was wrong. The confrontation against Acheron in the Horizon of Existence made him see its true concept.
Infinity.
The answer was with him from the beginning.
'The irony…'
Aleph. A letter that denoted the 'infinity'. It was a name given to him after the aleph null, the smallest infinite cardinal number.
Ain. Another letter, when formed, denotes 'nothingness'. In the contexts it was used, however, it often meant 'limitless light' (Ain Soph Aur).
'Perpetuity…'
He went into a daze. It was his first time pondering his existence. All of the meanings and signs he did not notice before popped up in his mind.
The most particular of them was:
'Why did I carry over my name, Ainsworth..?'
The Previous Era did not have the culture of bearing surnames. It could easily be seen on Kevin, Mei, Aponia, Pardofelis…
Nobody had a last name.
Aleph was the only one who did. The world considered it a second name by technicality, but he knows himself what it was—a name he bore in his previous life.
He did not notice how he derailed from Ultimate Skills. All of his thoughts were focused on his origin and the indescribable light he held.
The [Blank Pathway] took the form of an illusory orb of white light. It resided deep within his soul, a place protected by the said light. It was merely a catalyst at first, then it became a "portable connection" when Aleph left a bit of his information to Ling.
It did not necessarily mean that she was a follower of his [Path]. Aleph was not able to bring out the [Blank Pathway]'s strength up until now.
An illusory flight of steps appeared below his feet. The glow of the aurora borealis ensued despite time being stopped. It formed a mystical sight along with the white glow of the stairs.
{Result: The power of the [Blank Pathway] was fully activated. You have gained access to authority…}
Metatron stopped everything it was doing and focused its computing power to the Blank Pathway.
{...blocking all external influences with the [Combined Domain]...}
The world surrounding Aleph changed to the familiar black void filled with silver grid lines. It enveloped the space up to the end of the flight of stairs.
{...external influence blocked successfully.}
Metatron noticed the Cocoon's influence coming over and prompted Aleph's Domain to appear. Using that, as well as its own ability to affect the fundamental laws of the world, blocked it successfully.
Now, there was only Aleph and the end of the stairs.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The realization of oneself seemingly brought the answers he sought. Aleph was caught in a self-reflection that left no care regarding the outside world.
"I see. This is why everything happened."
He kept on climbing the flight of stairs until he finally saw what was at the end of it.
A throne made of an infinite amount of colors.
"This is my fate… the destiny I earned."
The Achievement Hunter left no secrets from him anymore.
*****
A/N: Fair disclaimer. Aleph's Metatron is different from the [Metatron] Ultimate Skill possessed by Leon. Aleph's [Metatron] is 80% similar to [Raphael], but of course, with something unique. It's a part of the plot line I decided since the reveal of his authority. As to why it was [Metatron]...
Why, indeed? Who is associated with [Metatron] along the lines of infinite light?
That should be enough clues to see what's going to happen in the future...