Forming a core was the last step that Max had to complete to become a celestial.
A core was like an additional organ which helped god's process karmic essence and become a true celestial.
To form a core, one needed to separate their soul into three smaller portions in the ratio of 90-5-5.
90% of the liquid soul essence one had was condensed to form their soul core.
5% of their soul essence was cut loose and it floated freely in the universe accumulating karmic essence and solidifying into a seed of power.
The nature of the seed of power created depended on the strength of the ascending soul and the nature of the soul, but there was never a guarantee on output.
Finally 5% of the soul was transplanted into another body, transforming them into a soulmancer.
As long as even one of these three entities remained, a celestial could never die and their dissipated soul essence would always reform over a period of time.
It was for this reason that celestials chose their soulmancers carefully as only those individuals who were extremely strong could be entrusted with the duty of protecting one's soul.
Having a soulmancer like Odin was like having a bestfriend who was also your worst enemy as while the perfect warrior was directly connected to Odin, it was Odin himself who was desperately trying to end his life.
However, Max went a step beyond the traditional celestial route as he wished to accommodate not one but two celestial cores in his body.
One celestial core which he obtained from Bavuma, containing an inactive core of a fallen celestial and another of his own.
Having two cores would mean he would have double the speed needed to process karmic essence and it would also grant him greater strength than the average celestial.
However, the only judgement he had to make now was who would be his future soulmancers?
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( Mira's POV )
Mira was over the moon when she saw Max entering her private quarters in Draconia.
Max rarely left the Rajput Capital and this was probably his first visit outside the confines of Rajput Capital in over a decade.
" My husband! Welcome-" she said as she happily welcomed Max to Draconia, who quickly picked her up by her waist and carried her straight to the bedroom.
*YELP*
Mira helped, she was not expecting such a greeting, however, from the second Max touched her, her body temperature started to rise as she felt the heat.
With hundreds of dragon officials watching, Max took his wife to her private chambers like a boss and spent the next few hours passionately making love to her.
Even at tier8 Mira felt weak at her knees after her intense session with Max as she was completely over the moon now that her husband arrived unannounced.
" Mira, we need to talk-" Max said after their intense session ended as Mira absentmindedly said " Mmhmm?"
" As you know, I'll soon ascend to the celestial realm. I was wondering if you could accomodate a part of my soul and become my soulmancer before I go" Max said as he sprung the question upon Mira directly.
" What does becoming a soulmancer mean?" Mira asked as she had no idea what a soulmancer did.
" A soulmancer gains the ability to manipulate souls. That's what I understand.
You will be one of two people who will have a direct link with me when I'm in the celestial realm and I'll be able to give you missions if necessary.
You will be my representative in the universe, but you must never reveal to anyone that you are my soulmancer.
To kill me after I become a soulmancer, one must kill you and destroy my seed of power, so you must protect yourself at all costs" Max said as he tried to explain the functions of becoming a soulmancer to Mira as best as he could.
" So I'll still have a connection to you even after you ascend?" Mira asked ecstatically as she seemingly did not hear anything after Max spoke those words.
" What will I do with you?" Max said as he chuckled and leaned in for a kiss as sometimes he forgot just how much Mira loved him.
Agreeing readily, Mira was very happy Max chose her for this role and promised to safeguard his soul well in the coming years.
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( Sebastian's POV )
Max thought a lot about whom to make his second soulmancer and Kartikeya felt like a solid choice.
However, after a lot of evaluation, Max felt like when it came to life preservation, there was no greater man alive compared to the ultimate coward Sebastian and that if he entrusted his life to that man, he would be leaving his second core with the most responsible man ever.
Just like Mira, he too readily agreed to becoming Max's soulmancer and promised him that not even Beniogre would ever find out that he was harbouring a small part of Max's celestial core.
Sebastian expressed his regret that he could not become a celestial alongside Max and help him in achieving his goals in the celestial realm, however, Max dismissed his concerns as needless.
Max felt a little heavy at how much people cared for him in the controlled universe and just how lucky he was to have a friend like Sebastian who would readily die for him if needed.
Unfortunately, there was no room left for emotions anymore as once Max finalised the picks for his soulmancers, he started to prepare for his ascension with the queen and began wrapping up his affairs in the universe.
Naturally, there was one man he had to still visit before he could start his core formation procedure and surprisingly he had to trust that man to kill himself when the time came.
Just like Rudra before him, Max too needed the help of Odin to form his core before he ascended as he had to meet that sly bastard one last time before he got to face his master.