Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Three days later, Vesperin arrived at the village, exuding his typical air of arrogance. His sharp eyes surveyed the surroundings with disdain, clearly finding the humble village beneath him. He strode into the central square, his black robes flowing behind him, and without preamble, barked out, "Where is Elder Thalnor?"

The villagers who had gathered there immediately stiffened at the sound of his voice. One of them, a middle-aged man with graying hair and trembling hands, cautiously stepped forward. He bowed low, keeping his gaze on the ground.

"Young master Vesperin, Elder Thalnor is still in his lab," he said hesitantly, his voice wavering slightly. "Please, if you could wait for just a moment while we inform him—"

Vesperin's expression darkened, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Wait?" His voice was sharp, carrying a tone of irritation. "Do you think I have the time to stand around in this backwater village waiting for an old man to finish his experiments?"

The villager winced at Vesperin's words, his shoulders shrinking even further. "My deepest apologies, young master," he said, bowing lower. "I assure you, Elder Thalnor will be informed immediately."

Vesperin waved him off dismissively, the gesture laced with impatience. "Fine, but don't waste my time. I'm not here to sit around while you stumble over yourselves. Tell him to hurry."

With a flourish of his hand, Vesperin walked over to a nearby bench, settling himself down with a sense of entitlement.

As he reclined, his eyes swept over the villagers, his expression clearly conveying his dissatisfaction. He drummed his fingers impatiently on the armrest, his lips curling into a sneer.

The gray-haired villager nodded frantically, backing away with haste before hurrying toward Elder Thalnor's lab. The others, equally unnerved by Vesperin's presence, kept their heads down and avoided his gaze, not wanting to draw his ire.

As Vesperin sat there, the weight of his growing frustration settled heavily on his chest, making each second feel like an eternity. His foot tapped against the ground impatiently, the rhythmic sound betraying the storm of emotions simmering beneath his calm exterior.

"Damn that Zeus," he thought bitterly, his fingers curling into a fist. The news he had received recently gnawed at him like a relentless pest.

Zeus, the one person he had been determined to eliminate, had not only slipped through his fingers but had also managed to secure something far more dangerous—protection. And not just any protection.

Vesperin's jaw clenched tightly, his teeth grinding together. "Accepted as the private disciple of one of the top elders at the Celestial Academy, of all things," he fumed inwardly, his thoughts spiraling. His expression darkened as the implications weighed heavily on him.

He scowled, unable to shake the thought. Worse still, this elder wasn't just any figurehead. This was an elder with no ties to Necrovauld Academy or its allies, making any attempt to carry out his plans far more treacherous.

Vesperin's eyes flickered with anger as he leaned forward, his voice barely above a whisper, but filled with venom.

"How the hell am I supposed to kill him now?" he muttered to himself, his frustration boiling over. The words came out harsher than intended, but they felt inadequate to express the rage he felt brewing inside.

As he muttered, one of the nearby villagers, too afraid to approach but close enough to hear, stole a nervous glance toward Vesperin. Sensing the attention, Vesperin's gaze snapped toward him, sharp and cold. The villager quickly looked away, trembling slightly.

Vesperin scoffed at the display, feeling his temper rise further. "Zeus," he growled, the name leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. "You think hiding behind that elder will keep you safe forever?"

He clenched his fist tighter, the knuckles turning white from the strain. The very thought of Zeus standing untouchable enraged him.

The Celestial Academy elder had no allegiance to Necrovauld, making any subtle manipulation or assassination attempts near impossible without drawing unwanted attention.

"Damn it!" Vesperin cursed again, this time under his breath but loud enough for it to carry in the air. His frustration boiled over, the tension in his body palpable. His mind was racing, trying to devise a way to bypass the newfound obstacle, but each idea felt weaker than the last.

His gaze turned icy as he whispered to himself, "No matter what it takes, I'll find a way. Elder or not, Zeus... your time will come."

Forcing himself to lean back again, Vesperin's eyes narrowed as he stared into the distance, already plotting his next move. The rage simmering beneath the surface didn't fade—it only intensified as he sat there, waiting for Thalnor and trying to contain the beast of anger growing inside him.

Meanwhile, back at the lab, one of the villagers cautiously approached the entrance. His heart raced, knowing how impatient Vesperin could be. With a hesitant knock on the wooden door, he called out, "Elder Thalnor, young master Vesperin has arrived and is waiting for you."

A moment of silence followed, the villager nervously shifting from foot to foot, unsure of what to expect. Finally, from deep within the lab, a voice drifted out, smooth and composed, with an air of indifference. "I see. He's here already. Give me a moment—I'm just finishing up."

The villager blinked in surprise at the calmness of the reply. There wasn't a trace of urgency or concern in the elder's tone. It was as though Vesperin's impatience was of little importance to Thalnor. The villager nodded, even though no one could see him. "Y-Yes, Elder. I'll let him know you'll be out shortly."

There was no response, only the faint rustling of movement from inside the lab. The villager stood there for a moment, unsure if he should stay or leave, before the door creaked open slowly, revealing Elder Thalnor.

Thalnor stepped out, his appearance impeccable, not a hair out of place. His robes were pristine, and his expression was just as cold and detached as always. His pale eyes gleamed with a hint of arrogance, as though the very world around him was beneath his notice.

"Lead the way," Thalnor ordered, his voice carrying an air of superiority. His words were not a request but a command, leaving no room for hesitation or argument.

The villager bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly. "Of course, Elder Thalnor. Right this way."

Thalnor barely acknowledged the gesture, his gaze piercing as he stepped forward, his posture rigid and his stride purposeful. The villager, still unnerved by Thalnor's cold demeanor, hurried ahead to lead him back toward the waiting Vesperin.