Single Wish: Rise Of The Omniscient Paragon Chapter 2 2: Take My Pain Away

"Oh Lord, guide us from the illusory to the absolute.

From the shadows into the radiance. From the state of mortality to immortality.

Bestow upon us serenity within the celestial realm.

Grant us peace, rather than death, upon this Earth.

May the sacred flames burn for eternity.

Látom."

"Látom."

"Very well, everyone. Let us give a warm welcome to Corey, our newest companion."

Clap Clap Clap

"Welcome, Corey!"

"Welcome, Corey. Please introduce yourself and share what inspired you to join our ranks. Should you face any struggles or hardships, feel free to speak openly. We are here to support you in any way possible."

A man appearing to be in his sixties smiled as he addressed Corey. He was dressed in black trousers and a black long-sleeved shirt, accentuated by a chain around his neck. The pendant on the chain featured two black axes crossed in a diagonal fashion.

Corey observed the man, who served as the Pope of the Temple of Flames and was the one who had led the previous prayer. Shifting his gaze from the Pope, he surveyed his environment. Ten individuals, all wearing the same chain and pendant as their leader, sat in a circular arrangement of chairs.

His original intention upon visiting the temple was to pray in solitude, but he had unexpectedly encountered the Pope and these ten members.

Initially, he had hoped to bypass them, but the Pope’s persuasion led him to stay. Not wishing to appear disrespectful to such a high-ranking figure, he joined the circle. He soon discovered it was Scriptural Study Day, causing him to groan internally at his unfortunate timing.

After a brief silence, Corey let out a soft sigh and faced the Pope. Studying the man’s smiling face, he contemplated his next words—specifically, how to politely inform the Pope that he desired solitude rather than participation in this scriptural nonsense.

"I appreciate you allowing me to join you, Sir Pope. Even though I have not yet become an official member of the temple." Corey hesitated for a moment, watching for any shift in the Pope’s expression. Seeing none, he pressed on.

"I would actually prefer to spend some time alone with your god. I wish to speak with him privately." As Corey spoke, the Pope’s friendly smile remained unchanged.

"It is commendable that you wish to converse with Lord Ogun in private. However, as the Pope, how could I witness someone in distress and fail to offer assistance through my God?" the Pope replied, prompting another soft sigh from Corey.

He simply wanted to be left alone.

Was that such a difficult request?

Just as he prepared to respond, the Pope’s next words caught him completely off guard.

"Let me guess, are you struggling with your studies?"

Corey stared at the Pope, his shock clearly visible.

"How did—"

"Discerning a minor issue like that is a simple matter for our Lord Ogun." The Pope’s grin grew a bit wider as he noted Corey’s stunned reaction.

The look of shock on Corey’s face quickly transitioned into one of desperate hope.

"Then, could you please provide me with a solution?" Corey asked, his voice filled with yearning.

"Have you ever heard of the most intelligent man to ever walk this earth?" Instead of answering directly, the Pope posed a question of his own.

Corey felt dazed and perplexed.

He had no knowledge of anyone titled the wisest man on the planet.

In fact, could any person truly claim such a title?

After thinking it over for a few moments, Corey gave up; the concept was entirely foreign to him.

"I have never heard of such a man, sir," Corey answered.

The Pope didn't respond immediately, instead leaning back into his chair.

"I discovered ancient texts that spoke of a man living thousands of years before the history we know. To be honest, I laughed at the sheer absurdity of the claims when I first read them." The Pope gave a soft chuckle at the memory.

"The writings refer to this wise man as Solomon—King Solomon. He was not only regarded as the wisest to ever live, but the texts also claim he was the wealthiest man in history. His riches were supposedly so vast that pure silver was as common as stones in his kingdom." The Pope shook his head, chuckling again as he spoke.

"Beyond being so 'wise' and 'wealthy,' he possessed an incredible number of wives and concubines. Seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, to be exact. Can you imagine such ridiculous nonsense?" The Pope laughed so heartily that a tear escaped his eye.

Corey himself looked skeptical, wondering why the supposed wisest and richest man on Earth would choose to have a thousand women.

Didn't he realize the immense stress women could cause?

How could he possibly attend to them all?

While Corey’s mind raced with questions, the Pope settled down and continued.

"Despite his riches and his women, it was his wisdom that earned him the greatest praise during his era. Do you know how he obtained this so-called 'unmatched wisdom'?" the Pope asked, fixing his gaze on Corey.

"Was he born with it?" Corey guessed, his expression uncertain.

"Hahaha." The Pope laughed softly and shook his head. "No, no. It wasn't innate. He asked his God for it."

A frown creased Corey’s forehead upon hearing this.

"Why are you telling me this? How is this supposed to help my situation?" Corey demanded.

The Pope looked at Corey with a faint smile before answering.

"I won't force you to reveal the exact nature of your troubles. Since you wish to speak to Lord Ogun in private, I will no longer intrude. I only wish to guide you on what you should request from Him."

"If those ancient records are accurate and a man could attain 'unmatched wisdom' by asking a 'Great God,' then why shouldn't you seek wisdom from Lord Ogun? It would allow you to ace your future exams and resolve your educational struggles."

Corey gave the Pope a suspicious look, doubting if such a thing could actually work.

Noticing the skepticism, the Pope smiled gently. "There is no harm in attempting it, is there? Simply kneel and offer a prayer to Ogun. Ask for the wisdom needed to pass your tests. Ogun is the supreme God and can achieve anything, so just give it a try. A request so small is no trouble at all for Lord Ogun."

Corey stared at the Pope for several seconds before finally bowing his head.

"I appreciate the advice, Pope. I will do as you suggested." The Pope chuckled softly, a smile remaining on his lips as he spoke.

"Just remember to recite the Lord’s prayer," the Pope added, and Corey gave a nod of understanding.

"May I go now? I wish to pray to Lord Ogun as soon as I can," Corey asked, maintaining a polite tone to avoid offending the Pope.

"Yes, you may," the Pope replied with a friendly smile.

****

Inside Corey’s Room

"Oh Lord, guide us from the illusory to the absolute.

From the shadows into the radiance. From the state of mortality to immortality.

Bestow upon us serenity within the celestial realm.

Grant us peace, rather than death, upon this Earth.

May the sacred flames burn for eternity.

Látom."

Once he finished the prayer, Corey hesitated and gazed out his window. The full moon was visible, and while its beauty was striking, a random thought entered his mind.

'What would become of the world if the sun and moon were wiped out?'

Corey shook his head to clear the strange thought and took a deep breath. Resting on his knees with his palms pressed together, he began to speak.

"My Lord, Ogun. I have come to ask for your aid... Please, I beg of you. I need your help... Help me."

As he spoke, Corey was surprised to feel tears rolling down his cheeks. He stopped for a moment to touch his face.

The dampness of the tears was real.

"I'm actually crying," he muttered with a self-mocking chuckle.

"My Lord Ogun, please, I am in need of your assistance.

Please take this pain away from me.

Just remove the pain.

I am so tired.

I am exhausted by this life.

I labor so hard, yet I achieve nothing.

I strive with all my might, but there is no reward.

Just take the pain away.

I'm finished.

Lately, when people speak, I hear nothing.

My eyes have lost their spark.

My heart feels dead.

Is there even a reason to keep going?

I am weeping right now.

Please, just come and take my pain away.

I am starting to dread what lies ahead.

I cannot see a future for myself.

What am I supposed to do?

I truly do not know the path forward.

I am terrified of the future.

What do I do?

Just take my pain away.

My parents talk, but I no longer listen.

Sometimes I just want to vanish.

I desperately need your help.

Why do I feel so hollow inside?

I am sick of all these failures.

Can I not just have one victory?

Can I not just pass for once?

Ogun, take this pain away.

Come and help me.

Just… help… me."

Corey went silent for a few seconds, taking a sharp breath.

"You know what?

To hell with exams!

To hell with the teachers!

To hell with the schools!

To hell with everything!!

I try so damn hard, yet I fail every single time!

They claim hard work brings rewards eventually.

But all I have to show for it are daily tears.

What is the point of all this effort?

The Pope told me to ask for wisdom, but would you even grant it to me?!

Why would you bother?

I don't even believe in you!

What I really want is for schools to stop existing.

Keep your wisdom.

Just take away the schools and… my… pain.

Just take my pain away."

Drip Drip

Tears fell from Corey’s face onto his bed as he sobbed quietly. After a short while, the room grew still. The only remaining sound was the steady rhythm of Corey’s breathing.

He had drifted off to sleep.

Beep Beep

Minutes after he lost consciousness, a beeping noise echoed—not just in his room, but across the entire globe.

When the sound subsided, a glowing, translucent screen manifested before every person on Earth, including the slumbering Corey.

IF YOU COULD BE GRANTED ONE WISH, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

REMAINING TIME: 02:59:58