《Reincarnated as the Baby: The crazy heir of Ravencrest》 0.1 At the Edge of a New Dawn Setting: Earth, 2075 After the world war-IV which is the nuclear conflux between west and middle east reshaped the landscape of the Earth. With minimal resources and radiations levels dangerously high, the humanity reaches on the brink of extinction. In desperation to save the humanity, a group of bioengineers and geneticists known as "Elysium egos" decided to create a new breed of human. With the help of advanced genetic engineering techniques, CRISPR and other gene-editing technologies they decided to modify the DNA of human. After a series of radical genetic modifications, they succeed in developing a new species known as "Homo Aeternus". These bring possesses a remarkable array of supernatural abilities, like Photosynthesis mechanism, enhanced strength, rapid regeneration, enhanced senses, toxic resistance, environmental adaption and cognitive function. Yet, this miraculous transformation cast shadows over those who are left behind commonly known as norms. The only 1% of humanity which remains unmodified and are labeled as the failures of the Elysium project and I am Zelo, one of the members of this small community who failed to undergo the necessary genetic enhancements whose existence is a daily struggle for survival. ¡°Zelo, lunch is ready!¡± Selery¡¯s voice echoed from the kitchen, pulling me from my thoughts. ¡°Yeah, coming!¡± I called back, setting aside the magazine I had been reading and slipped on my blue t-shirt which was the last birthday gift from Selery. I ran my fingers through my messy hair before stepping from my cramped room which barely fits a bed and a chair. In the kitchen, I saw Selery sitting at the table with steaming bowl of soup which resembled mostly water, with just a hint of meat and a loaf of stale bread beside it. This was the fate of the Norms, surviving on scraps and living like ants who could be crushed at any moment. From the moment a child¡¯s status as a Norm is revealed, they are abandoned by their family and casted aside like broken toys. My fate was no different, After I was discovered as a Norm at the age of ten, I was thrown onto the streets by my family and left alone to fend for myself. I wandered the streets alone, consumed by hunger, until I stumbled upon Selery. Why she chose to save me, I¡¯ll never know. Perhaps it was pity, or maybe she saw a reflection of herself in me. I watched her struggle tirelessly for years, searching for a way to secure a better life for us both. Despite her own hardships and the constant threat of hunger. She never let me go to bed with an empty stomach. I still remember how often she sacrificed her own meals to ensure I had enough to eat. To me, she was my everything¡ªa mother who nurtured me, a father who protected me and a teacher who guided me through the darkness. I took a seat beside her and glanced at Selery. Her short, curly brown hair framed her face, hides her beautiful features. My eyes drawn to her slender, snow-white fingers, which were covered in bandages. ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt,¡± she said, noticing my gaze. ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± I picked up a loaf of bread and took a big bite. ¡°It¡¯s tasty,¡± I said, with my mouth full. ¡°Don¡¯t talk with your mouth full!¡± Selery scolded. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. I nodded, still chuckling at her fussiness, but my eyes wandered back to her wound. They were a painful reminder of the price we paid just for this watery soup and stale loaf of bread. Three years ago, Selery and I found a foothold in an organization that operates in the shadows. They call themselves "The Veil". It wasn¡¯t by choice that we joined, but in a world where Norms are treated like ghosts, there weren¡¯t any options. We were starving, desperate, and The Veil offered something no one else would - survival. The Veil isn¡¯t just any group but an organization who carries the dirty work for the Homo Aeternus, the powerful and modified humans who now rule the remnants of society. From smuggling illegal goods to the tasks that are too dangerous or too vile for the Homo Aeternus to dirty their hands with. And they use people like us¡ªNorms¡ªas their tools. It¡¯s not a glamorous life. The work is brutal, dangerous, and dehumanizing, but The Veil gives us what we need. They provide food, shelter, and a level of protection we could never find on our own. While most Norms scrape by on the crumbs of society, we have access to more than just leftovers. It¡¯s not much, but it¡¯s better than starving on the streets or being crushed like fly''s. So, we keep working. It¡¯s a brutal existence, but in this world, it¡¯s the only one we have. ¡°What¡¯s today¡¯s plan?¡± I asked while gulping down the last of the watery soup that barely had any flavor to call food. Selery looked up to me, I could her eyes sparkling with excitement, and she replied to me with a wide smile breaking across her face. ¡°We have a big client this time,¡± I raised my eye browns in curiosity, "Big client? How big?" ¡°The client is willing to pay us a big bag just to retrieve an item from a lab which is run by a Norm couple. Easy work, right?¡± ¡°Why on Earth would someone want to steal from Norms? What could possibly be worth taking?" Selery just shrugged and she stepped closer to me. Dropping her voice in whisper she drops a bombshell on me. ¡°And you know what who the client? The current CEO of Elysium ecos.¡± ¡°What?¡± the word burst loudly out of my mouth. My heart started racing in a mixture of shock and confusion. This is the grandson of the founders who created Homo Aeternus. Why would someone who could have anything with his ultimate powers hiring an illegal organization like ours to snatch something from Norms? ¡°He could definitely buy whatever he needs. Why resort to stealing?¡± I muttered, still trying to process the information inside my head. Selery replied with somber voice. ¡°This isn¡¯t the first time those Homo Aeternus have used us. We have always done their dirty work, and you know our only goal is survival. This job could be our ticket out of Leftorif.¡± But¡­ ¡°Stop hesitating and get dressed. We¡¯re leaving with Jack in thirty minutes,¡± Before I could argue she left towards her room leaving me to grapple with my conflicted feelings. I tried to convince myself that Selery was right. We had done so much dirty work for those in power, and we needed the money to move somewhere safe. Even though the thought of stealing from Norms left a bitter taste in my mouth, I still decided to trust Selery. Then why the chilling body of Selery lying in front of me. 0.2 The End of the Beginning After retrieving the item, we made our way to the designated location¡ªan abandoned building on the outskirts of the city. It was eerily quiet, and the most peculiar was the sheer number of cars parked around the building. "Why do they send so many people just to retrieve an item?¡± Selery muttered. She wasn¡¯t one to get rattled easily, but the sight of this many vehicles definitely put her on edge. She scan the area with sharp eyes for a moment, then she turned to me. ¡°We¡¯re going to do the handoff like we always do. Wait here until I get the money. When I give the signal, come in with the item." "Wait, Selery, I don¡¯t know why, but something feels wrong about this." I glanced again at the number of parked vehicles. She smiled at me with the usual grin that always masked her real emotions. ¡°Kiddo, this is what we always do. Just wait for my signal until it is safe.¡± I wanted to argue, but I knew it wouldn¡¯t help. Selery always took the lead. It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t trust me; it was her instinct to shield me from harm. Over time, I had come to know the lengths she would go to keep me safe, even if it meant throwing herself into the fire. I recalled a night when she returned with a gaping wound in her stomach after a deal had gone horribly wrong. Since then, she has become even more cautious. I watched her as she walked away, her figure growing smaller with each step. I opened the box containing the item we were about to trade, the syringe. Its contents glowed faintly like some otherworldly substance. Why would one of the most powerful men in the world need something from a Norm lab? And why would he send a small army to retrieve it? I clenched my fists, my eyes still locked on the glowing syringe. As I waited for Selery''s signal, I heard the gunfire erupted inside the building. My blood ran cold, and without thinking, my legs started moving on pure instinct. I sprinted toward the entrance. My worst nightmare flashed before my eyes¡ªthe memory of Selery bleeding and barely alive. I couldn¡¯t let that happen again, not while I stood outside doing nothing. The moment I stepped inside, a chill ran down my spine. There she was¡ªon her knees, bleeding from her shoulder and stomach. "Selery!" I shouted with cracking voice. She turned her head toward me and whisper. "Hey, Zelo..." "Hey." That single word meant more than danger. This was not just a deal gone wrong¡ªit was a trap. ¡°You can run if you think you¡¯re faster than my bullet.¡± The voice came from a man exuding an exclusive aura. He is the CEO of Elysium ecos, the very man whose face I saw daily on television. He is sitting casually on a chair, pointing a gun at Selery''s head. The sight of Selery, bleeding and helpless, sent a wave of panic through me. I wanted to move, to act, but I was frozen. It all made sense now, the vehicles. They hadn¡¯t come just to retrieve the item, but they were here to kill us. My mind raced desperately for a way out. The only option that came to me was the syringe. I didn¡¯t know what it was or why it was so valuable, but it was clear this man is desperate for it¡ªdesperate enough to show himself. Without a second thought, I grabbed the syringe from my pocket and held it up. The man¡¯s eyes widened as he noticed the syringe. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t do that if I were you,¡± I said, holding the syringe near my neck. ¡°Let her go, or I will inject this into myself.¡± The man stood up; his calm face turned to something else, panic. Pure, panic. He stared at the syringe like his life depended on it, and maybe it did. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he warned me; his voice is no longer as composed as before. ¡°You have no idea what that stuff will do to you.¡± I smirked while taking a step closer to Selery. ¡°And you have no idea how fast I can inject it. Do you really want to find out if your bullet¡¯s faster than mine?¡± He took a step forward towards me but then hesitated, knowing that one wrong move could cost him everything. "Let her go," I said again. "Or I swear, I¡¯ll push this inside me." His desperation grew, and a visible sweat beaded on his forehead. His hand trembled slightly as he lowered his gun. ¡°You don¡¯t understand,¡± he said. ¡°You inject that, and it is all over¡ªfor you.¡± ¡°And for you,¡± I added, pressing the needle lightly against my neck. ¡°So, do you want to test your luck, or do you want to let her go?¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. For a moment, the room was silent. I could see the man calculating his next move. He knew well that I wasn''t bluffing. Slowly, he moved away from Selery. "Zelo..." Selery¡¯s voice was barely a whisper as I crouched next to her. Her eyes were half-lidded, filled with pain and exhaustion. ¡°You need to run. Get out of here... while you still can.¡± I shook my head, and tears started welling in my eyes. ¡°No, I¡¯m not leaving you behind.¡± ¡°Zelo, please,¡± she said with her voice trembling. ¡°This is my fault. You have to go now; don¡¯t waste your life... not for me.¡± Tears burned in my eyes, but I couldn¡¯t let her go, not like this. I glanced back at the man, whose gaze was still locked on the syringe. He looked like he was on the verge of breaking. ¡°Let us go, and or I swear I¡¯ll end this for all of us.¡± Selery¡¯s grip tightened on my arm. ¡°Zelo... listen to me. You can¡¯t save both of us. You have to live. Run.¡± ¡°No,¡± I choked out, my throat tightening as the emotions overwhelmed me. ¡°Not without you.¡± Her bloodied hand touched my cheek and eyes full of both pain and tenderness. She spoke with her trembling voice. ¡°You¡¯ve always been a stubborn kid... but sometimes you have to know when to let go.¡± I tighten my grip on the syringe. My heart was racing. The man still stood there, frozen in his desperation, but Selery''s grip on my arm was fading away, and her eyes began to flutter shut. ¡°No, Selery, stay with me!¡± I pleaded. But I knew¡ªshe was slipping away. The warmth in her hand was disappearing, and her breath is slowing. ¡°Zelo¡­¡± She whispered, her grip on my arm loosening completely. ¡°Run¡­¡± And then she was gone. ¡°No... no, no, no...¡± My voice broke, and the words choked in my throat. The world stated blurring as my tears trailed down my cheeks. The world around me blurred as everything came crashing down. Selery was gone. The one person who cared for me and who fought for me is gone. The man took a step forward. ¡°Let her go, boy, or you will die like her if you don¡¯t do as I say.¡± Something inside me snapped. "This bastard. He¡¯s taken everything." I clenched my teeth, feeling the heat of the syringe in my hand. If Selery was gone, then there was no reason to care anymore. No reason to fear. He had snapped away the only light I had. Now, I would take something from him. Rage burned through me like a wildfire, blinding me to everything else. ¡°If he wants this so badly, then he¡¯ll never have it.¡± Without hesitation, I plunged the syringe into my neck, feeling the sharp prick as the glowing substance went into my bloodstream. ¡°What are you doing?!¡± The man¡¯s eyes bulged in disbelief as I injected the substance into myself. His gun wavered as panic spread across his face. He barked orders at the person beside him. "Call Doctor Samuel! We need to extract the micros." Chaos erupted around me, but I barely noticed. My body was on fire. It started with a burning sensation in my veins, searing my flesh from the inside. My muscles were twitching uncontrollably as the world began to warp and twist. Cold... so cold. Yet, my heart felt like it was trying to explode in my chest. A throbbing pain ripped through my skull, and strange, fragmented whispers echoed inside my mind, growing louder with every passing second. But none of that mattered. Not the pain, not the chaos around me. Only one thing burned brighter than the agony is the need for revenge. He can try to extract the item, but if I¡¯m dead... he gets nothing... nothing. The thought twisted into something dark and satisfying. For once, I had the power. I had control. The one thing he needed, the key to everything, was inside me, and I could take it all away in an instant. A cold smile tugged at my lips. After everything he had done, everything he had taken from me, this is my chance to take it all back. I reached for the small knife I¡¯d been hiding. My fingers trembled, not from fear but from the anticipation. I didn¡¯t hesitate nor waver. Without a second thought, I turned the blade on myself, aiming straight for my heart. As the blade pierced my skin and plunged into my chest, a searing wave of pain tore through me, but I welcomed it. The pain meant that I was still in control. My warm and thick blood spilled out, and I gasped. I could feel my life draining away. ¡°NO!¡± The man screamed with his desperate voice, but it was too late. His panic echoed in the distance as he rushed toward me. He grabbed my hand with his firm grip and tried to stop the knife from going deeper. His hands trembled as he pressed against the wound, and his fingers slick with my blood. ¡°You fool! You don¡¯t know what you¡¯ve done! I needed that¡ªI needed YOU!¡± But I only saw the terror in his eyes. The arrogance was gone. His control had slipped through his fingers, and he was afraid. He pressed harder and desperately tried to stop the bleeding, but it was futile. He feels my life slipping away, and I feel it too. And with that, I smiled with the coppery taste of blood bubbling on my lips. ¡°You... took everything from me,¡± I laugh weakly. ¡°Now... I take it from you.¡± The desperation in his expression was undeniable. The control, the arrogance¡ªall of it was gone. Now, he was just a man whose life is slipping through his fingers. His hands were frantic, trying to keep me alive, trying to stop the flow of blood, but he was too late. The life was already draining from me, just like it had drained from Selery. ¡°No¡­ No, no, no,¡± he muttered under his breath, as if repeating it would reverse what was happening. His face was pale, eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°You can¡¯t die... You can¡¯t die! I need the micros! I need them!¡± I could see it in his eyes¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just about power or money. This was his obsession. His desperation. He couldn¡¯t let go. He couldn¡¯t lose. But I was already slipping away. ¡°You¡¯ll... never... get it,¡± my last words barely escaping my lips. My vision faded, and the world around me went dark. As the coldness settled in, a strange voice echoed in my mind, distant and robotic Registration successful. Synchronizing with Aster... What... what is happening? Warning: Body is not suitable for Aster synchronization. The voice rang again, louder this time. I almost panicked. Was I hallucinating? I couldn''t tell. Warning: Stop the synchronization to prevent self-termination. Self-termination? What did that mean? The words spun in my head, but I couldn¡¯t make sense of them. Warning: Heart is overheating. Warning: 10 seconds remaining. I notice the man whose desperate face was now turned into terror. Why is he retreating, as if he saw a monster? I glanced down at my body, which turned reddish brown from the severe burns. Huh? But I don¡¯t feel any pain. What is happening? Forced synchronization with Aster succeeds. "Huh, what?" Self-termination activated. 1. Awakened in the void The last thing I saw was my body erupting into flames, the heat tearing through my flesh and bone as the explosion engulfed the entire building. In an instant, everything seemed to erase its existence and was swallowed by a blinding flash. I remember it very clearly¡ªthe agonized screams of that proud man as the fire consumed him. And then there was Selery, whose body was caught in the fire¡¯s merciless grip and the flames curling around her like twisted fingers. But how was I seeing this? How could I be recalling my own death with such clarity? It was impossible, yet the memories were very vivid. And after that... nothing. I was surrounded in darkness. An endless and suffocating void. There was no ground beneath me, no sky above me, only a crushing emptiness that wrapped itself around me like a shroud. I couldn¡¯t move. I couldn¡¯t see. My all senses were cut off, leaving me with nothing but only thoughts, and I was suspended in an eternal abyss like a prisoner in a place that had no shape, no sound, no escape. Idle host detected. That voice again. That cold, emotionless voice, echoing in this darkness and repeating the same commands over and over that I never understood. Initiating synchronization process... A sudden jolt surged through me again, like a pulse of electricity racing along my nerves. My consciousness seemed to quiver, but then the sensation faded, slipping away like water through my fingers. Synchronization failed. The darkness thickened around me again by wrapping me tightly and suffocating me in with its nothingness. Searching for a new host... I had heard this voice so many times that I had lost count. It brought the same result every time¡ªfailure. At first, I tried calling it out, begging it to answer my questions. What was happening to me? What was this... host? And what exactly was Aster? But the voice never responded to my desperate pleas. It just continued its cold and calculated loop. Trapped into this endless cycle, I began to wonder if this was my punishment. Was it some kind of purgatory for my sins? Or had I become a ghost who was bound to this darkness? Memories of Selery were the only thing keeping me from unraveling completely. Her smile, her voice, the way she¡¯d laugh... They were the threads holding me together. Though I could no longer feel tears even when I wept for her. "What had I become? What was left of me in this place?" All I ever wanted was to live a peaceful life with Selery, sharing simple moments and savoring her cooking. But everything was gone. It could have been years¡ªcenturies, in this dark abyss, where time had lost all meaning. The only thing that remained was this darkness, which is suffocating and relentless. Idle host detected. "Here it comes again." Synchronizing with a new host... Initiating synchronization process... "Another failure, no doubt." Synchronization successful. "What? Successful? I mishear it, right?" Suddenly I feel a surge of energy shot through the endless void. Something stirred. Something inside me. I felt... a presence, a connection, like I was being pulled out of the endless dark. I tried to move after my senses, which are long dulled by the endless void, began to return. I felt limbs, weight, and the pull of gravity. A light flickered on the edges of my vision, which is harsh and glaring. My lungs screamed for air, and with a violent jolt, I gasped¡ªmy chest heaving as if taking in breath for the first time. The sensation was raw and almost painful. I blink rapidly to adjust to the blinding brightness. Everything was hazy and feels like I am seeing through fogged glass.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Suddenly a face loomed above me, enormous and blurry at first, but slowly becoming clearer. It was the face of a woman, but everything about her seemed... too large. The scale was all wrong, like looking through a distorted lens, which makes no sense. She leaned closer to me and scanned over me with a stern expression. Her lips moved, but the sounds that reached my ears were nothing but a jumble of incomprehensible sounds. The volume was overwhelming¡ªtoo loud, too close¡ªand it felt as though I was hearing for the very first time. "What.........is this?" Her hands reached down to me, and warmth spread across my skin as she touched me. She continued her motions and started wiping me down with a damp cloth. "Why was she cleaning me? What was happening?" I tried to understand, to make sense of the strangeness surrounding me, but confusion clouded my thoughts like a thick fog. I struggled to move my head¡ªor rather, I tried to. It took every ounce of effort, but finally, my vision shifted, and what I saw next made my breath hitch. A woman lying on the bed and the sheets around her was soaked in blood. Beside the woman, an older lady was holding her hand, speaking in gentle tones, but the words were blur for me. "Who are they?" I wanted to cry out and demand what was happening, but my voice refused to cooperate. Panic gripped me as I tried to move, but my body didn¡¯t respond the way it should. I struggled to lift my hand, but it was sluggish and trembling as if weighed down. My fingers flexed awkwardly and refused to obey me. The motions of my hands were clumsy, weak, and unnatural. "Why can¡¯t I move properly? What¡¯s happening to me?" With great effort, I managed to look at my hand, and a chill ran through me. It wasn¡¯t my hand. It was small and delicate; the skin is pale and wrinkled like that of a newborn. My breath hitched as I noticed how everything around me loomed so large, the ceiling, which was impossibly high, and the figures around me towering like giants. Everything seemed distorted and blown out of proportion, as if I had been shrunk to the size of an insect. Then the realization hit me like a punch to the gut. This is the body of a newborn, and somehow I had been placed here¡ªreborn into this tiny, helpless form. Confusion twisted in my mind and a tangled mess of fear and disbelief. I had died. I was certain of it. So how could I be here, alive, in the form of an infant? "What happened to me? Why am I here?" But before I could grasp its meaning, a scream shattered the stillness. The old woman¡¯s voice trembled with shock and disbelief. The lady who had been wiping me suddenly set me on the bed and ran out. I blinked through my blurry vision, trying to make sense of the chaos. Then I saw the old woman draping a white cloth over the face of the motionless figure with her hands trembling. It took a moment for the truth to sink in¡ªthe woman beside me, the one whose body lay still and cold, was the one who had brought me into this world. My birth mother. Until now, I hadn''t known. I hadn''t understood. A strange and overwhelming wave of grief surged through me, knotting my tiny chest. I didn¡¯t know her, not really, yet there was an aching familiarity in her lifeless face. She reminded me of Selery. Memories of losing Selery flared up like flames, mingling with this new raw sense of loss, and my eyes welled up with tears. My small body craved the warmth of the mother I never knew. Was this what it felt like to be a newborn¡ªto instinctively long for a mother¡¯s touch? It felt as though something precious had been ripped away from me all over again. My grief was jolted by the violent crash of the door bursting open, yanking me back to the present. An older man stormed into the room followed by a lady, his twisted face in rage. The man''s face was lined with age, and a few deep furrows were carved into his skin. His graying hair and dark gray eyes were filled with a mix of rage and something else¡ªpanic, perhaps. He appeared to be in his early sixties, with a bulky frame that seemed ill-suited for the fine tailoring of his expensive suit. The fabric strained over the roundness of his belly, clinging tightly to his chest and shoulders as though it were barely containing him. Without hesitation, he slapped the old woman, and the sharp sound of his hand hitting her cheek echoed throughout the room. He started yelling loudly with his angered and panic voice. In sharp contrast to his outburst, the woman beside him remained disturbingly composed, and a faintly amused expression was dancing on her lips. She looked to be in her fifties; her dark reddish hair was twisted into a high bun, and the strands were secured with jeweled pins that sparkled coldly in the dim light. Her gown was a garish shade of gold, and her jewelry was heavy and expensive. She placed her hand on the man''s shoulder and whispered into his ear. In an instant, his anger drained away as if she had cast a spell, and a chilling calm settled over his face. Together, they turned their eyes toward me, and the shift in their expressions sent a shiver crawling down my spine. The old man¡¯s eyes narrowed, and his lips curled into a grin like a devil. There was something unsettling in the way they looked at me, like a pair of hunters savoring the sight of helpless prey. The man stepped closer, leaning over me. His breath was hot on my face and smelled like alcohol and something bitter. His eyes shone with a strange kind of amusement, and he let out a low, rumbling laugh. He spoke in a language I didn¡¯t understand, the words sounding like meaningless noises in my ears. Even though I couldn¡¯t make sense of what he was saying, I could feel that something wasn¡¯t right. The way he hovered over my crib reminded me of a hunter enjoying the sight of trapped prey. In the midst of this, I felt a wave of fatigue wash over me, perhaps because of this small body that betrayed me. I struggled to keep my eyes open, but exhaustion clung to my limbs like a heavy blanket, and the world around me grew dimmer with each blink until I fell into the darkness again. 2. Soul partner I slowly woke up feeling like I was coming out of an eternal sleep. As my vision cleared, I found myself in a crampy and dirty room, lying in an old baby cradle made of wood. The bedding under me was rough, and the air around the room feels heavy with the smell of mold. The spiders were attached all over the broken ceiling and cracked walls like some ghost. "Why does it feel like I''ve woken up in some kind of horror story?" I thought after analyzing the crampy room. This place was nothing like the last one I remembered. Before, the air was clearer, and the furnishings were simple but well kept. Now, it felt like I had stepped into a nightmare, and even breath tastes like dust. Just as the reality of my situation began to sink in, a sharp growl from my stomach yanked me from my thoughts. "Great. Not only am I stuck in some creepy, rundown room, but I¡¯m starving to death, too." I forced myself to look around again, trying to make sense of my surroundings. The scattered objects in the room looked oddly old-fashioned, and then it struck me. The previous room decoration, the wallpaper, even the memory of the woman I had seen earlier, her attire, her hairstyle¡ªit all seemed retro, like something out of an old movie from the 19th century. Tailored suits, voluminous gowns, ornate hairpins... "Did I... end up in the past or something?" I blurted out the absurd question bouncing in my mind as I tried to process my situation. I couldn''t tell if the hunger was making me delusional or if I had actually woken up in the past before I was born. Before I could dwell on any longer, a voice echoed, slicing my confusion. It¡¯s not time but space travel. You are currently 45695 x 103221 light-years away from your last known location. I gasped and my tiny body trembled as I twisted my neck to search for the source of the voice. But there was no one else in the room. I thought that I must be hallucinating because of hunger, but the voice came again. Zelo is not hallucinating. The words echoed in my mind again, sending a shiver down my spine. My heart raced as I struggled to grasp the situation. The voice is not reaching through my ears, but the voice was inside my head, as if it spoke directly to my thoughts. Fear gripped me, and my mind began to spiral. What was happening? Why was I hearing voices in my head? Was I possessed by some kind of ghost? As I was fighting with my thoughts, that same shadow caught my inner voice and replied to me again. Zelo is not possessed by a ghost. I froze as my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Someone¡ªor something¡ªwas actually talking to me. I tried to scream to demand answers, but the only sound that escaped was a garbled mess of gurgles and coos. ¡°Damn this useless body! Why can¡¯t I speak properly?¡± As I fumed over my tiny, useless body, a light chuckle echoed in my head, mocking my entire existence. That would be because you are currently toothless and fresh out of the womb. Controlling anything right now is beyond your capabilities. As for me, I am Aster¡ªa genesage, artificial intelligence, and cosmic gene modulator. The words rattled in my head. Aster? Gene Modulator? None of this made sense. I was beyond confused. What the hell was happening to me? I died. I was trapped in some dark void for who knows how long, and now I was in this helpless body with a voice talking inside my head? Before I could even begin to make sense of it, the voice interrupted my chaotic thoughts once again. I¡¯ve already introduced myself. Honestly, I¡¯m stuck with an idiot. I froze and thought, Did that thing hear my thoughts? Congratulations on figuring that out, idiot. Now stop dwelling and listen. I¡¯m Aster. You, idiot, injected me, remember?Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Clarity began to emerge from the fog, and memories of injecting the bright substance into my veins surfaced in my mind. "Are you saying you¡¯re that... that bright thing I injected? How did you end up in my head?" Bingo! The bright substance you pumped into your system was me. Well, technically, macroparticles carrying my quantum data construct. When your previous body exploded in a rather... dramatic fashion, the emergency transfer protocols activated. I latched onto your soul''s energy signature and followed it, seeking out the next viable host that could support both our consciousnesses. My jaw dropped as the explanation sank inside my brain. "You attached yourself to my soul? How is that even possible? Aren¡¯t you just... code?" Because I¡¯m not just any AI. Aster paused for a second and responded me again with tone tinged with pride. The geneticists who designed me didn¡¯t want to be limited by traditional technology and was designed as a quantum data construct capable of integrating with consciousness itself, bonding with the energy matrix of a soul rather than merely residing in a physical body. "So¡­ You can follow my soul? Even across space?" Precisely. I am designed to interact with the metaphysical and transcend the limitations of physical form. That¡¯s why you remember who you are. Without me, your soul would have just found the nearest available host, and you¡¯d have been reborn. Well, who knows? Maybe as an insect without your memories. This all felt like some kind of fever dream, the sort of plot you¡¯d find in the reincarnation novels where protagonists gained overpowered systems and were leveled up by sheer luck. My thoughts raced, trying to make sense of Aster¡¯s words, but nothing quite added up. The doubt settled in, twisting like a knot in my gut. I found myself thinking that maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªAster was like one of those systems. "So, you¡¯re kind of like one of those systems, right?" Don¡¯t insult me by comparing me to glorified training wheels. I am leagues beyond anything your limited imagination can fathom. I can rewrite genetic instructions at a molecular level and synchronize with living organisms to create beings of unparalleled potential. I clenched my teeth as a wave of irritation was washing over me. His voice, which is always so calm and superior, made me want to shout just to disrupt that maddening composure. Before I could disrupt his, he flatly delivered a notification. Warning: A presence has been detected outside the room. Shortly after his warning, the door opened, and I heard footsteps approaching towards me. A woman in a maid¡¯s uniform came into view. She looked to be in her thirties; she glared at me with an expression like she was staring at something filthy. Without a word, she shoved a bottle of milk into my mouth and began speaking in a language I couldn¡¯t understand. While I am still trying to make sense of her words, Aster casually answers. She is cursing you for being born. "Huh? Why?" Because she¡¯s stuck serving you. I shot back, with frustration bubbling up inside me, "How can you understand her?" Because I¡¯m Aster, the brilliant AI stuck babysitting an idiot who compares me to with those trashy systems. I immediately wanted to shut him up for good, but my curiosity got over me. I finally gave in and asked, "Okay, brilliant Aster, would you please enlighten this baby on how you managed to understand her language?" Aster chuckled and replied to me with his usual mocking voice. Obviously, baby. I collected the data from your birth mother when you were still tangled with the umbilical cord after birth. Want me to transmit the language to your brain? "Wait, what? You... you gathered data from another person? How is that even possible? And how would you even transmit it?" I collected data at a cellular level while deciphering the genetic instructions. As for the transmission, well, did you forget I am a part of you? I can transmit information directly through your neural pathways. It¡¯s not rocket science¡ªfor me, at least. I felt my jaw tighten, a mix of awe and annoyance bubbling inside me. "Fine, go ahead and transmit the language data." Before I could even finish my sentence, a sharp pain shot through my head like a bolt of lightning. It was as if someone had taken a hammer to my skull. I clenched my eyes shut, gritting my teeth as the pain coursed through my brain. Then, just as quickly as it had started, it faded away, leaving my mind surprisingly clear. When I opened my eyes again, I could understand the maid¡¯s words. "When will he finish the milk? I can¡¯t stand this foul smell," she grumbled with her twisted and disgusted expression. "Laily is serving the young master at the Wing Palace, and I¡¯m stuck in this old building serving a bastard son. It didn¡¯t take much to piece together that I am the illegitimate child of that old nobleman. A bastard and an unwanted child who will be treated like a burden. I felt like I jumped from one miserable life to another. Before I could even finish the thought, Aster¡¯s voice cut in again. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention something important. "What now?" I growled mentally as my irritation was already at its limit. The milk you¡¯re drinking is laced with poison. 3. First taste of danger The moment Aster dropped the word "poison", it felt like my soul has left my body. My survival instinct quickly kicked in, and I yanked the bottle out of my mouth with my shaky little hand, but the maid grabbed my hand with her rough hand and forced the bottle back to my mouth. "I don¡¯t have all day to serve you. Just finish the milk quickly." she snapped at me and stared at me as if I were nothing more than a bug. I struggled desperately to free myself, but the weak, underdeveloped muscles of my infant body betrayed me, and despite my best efforts, I couldn¡¯t stop myself from swallowing more of the milk. In desperation to break free, I held my breath, hoping it might trick her into removing the bottle. But after barely thirty seconds, my useless body rebelled against me, and my lungs started burning for air. A fierce coughing fit rattled through my useless frame. My situation forced the maid to finally pull the bottle away. Her face shifted from cold indifference to pale horror as I gasped and coughed. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± she muttered, her once firm grip turning shaky. Her trembling hands lifted me up closer to her, and she started rubbing circles over my back, trying to soothe the violent coughs. Her panicked face didn¡¯t seem to match the expression of someone who would knowingly feed me poison. But then, who was responsible? My mind racing of the thought about Who would poison a newborn¡¯s milk? And why would someone target an infant? My mind raced with a dozen of horrifying possibilities. Had that old man I saw earlier, decided to end my life to erase the stain of an unwanted child from his history? Or was it his wife? Maybe she was desperate to secure her own children¡¯s inheritance, willing to poison an innocent infant just to clear her family¡¯s future from any complications. The thought sent a cold shiver through me, the idea of being so unwanted¡ªso despised¡ªthat they¡¯d rather kill me than acknowledge I existed. But what could I do? I was helpless, caught in the body of a baby, vulnerable and powerless. Already, my vision blurred as I imagined my death, slow and agonizing, from the poison that flows through my veins. Just as despair began to settle in, Aster¡¯s voice cut through my thoughts. Analysis complete: methamphetamine detected in small quantity. Methamphetamine? The name was unfamiliar to me yet sound something lethal. Was it some kind of hidden poison that would kill me quietly, without arousing suspicion? My pulse quickened again as my mind racing through the terrible possibilities. So, this is it, I thought bitterly. This is how I die again¡ªa cruel, pointless end, not even a week into this new life. Stop panicking, idiot. It¡¯s not potent enough to kill you, so calm down. The words hit me like a splash of cold water and relief washed over me, followed by a surge of irritation that burned through my fear. ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you say so sooner, you jerk?¡± I wanted to yell, though I knew he could hear every furious thought. I¡¯d been bracing for death, and he¡¯d casually let me go on thinking I was doomed. But the relief was only temporary. If methamphetamine wasn¡¯t enough to kill me, why was it there at all? The mere fact that they¡¯d chosen this drug meant someone wanted me impaired in some way. Methamphetamine¡ªit might not kill me quickly, but what would it do over time? ¡°Aster, if it¡¯s not lethal, then¡­ what exactly does it do?¡± He paused for a moment and replied with a clam voice. It¡¯s a neurotoxin. A slow-acting one designed to damage your mental growth and the nervous system. In short, if you keep taking it, you¡¯ll be a mindless husk¡ªa forever infant.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. The words struck me harder than any fatal poison could have. My body went rigid, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. A poison that would slowly dismantle my mental health¡­ It is sentence to a living death. The fear was so raw that it sent shivers through me and my newborn body quaking about the thought of the result. If I kept drinking the milk, my mind would be locked in this infantile state, never maturing, never understanding, never able to fight or think for myself. A prisoner within my own body, I would live out my days as a hollow shell¡ªa husk. No freedom. No choices. Just an existence without any purpose, like an empty vessel waiting to be discarded. My pulse hammered in my ears as the horrifying image of that future burned into my mind. How could anyone do this to a child? To me? But then, what if I refused to drink it? The realization clawed its way into my thoughts, spreading a different kind of terror. If I didn¡¯t consume the milk, I¡¯d starve to death in this tiny, helpless form. I¡¯d be faced with a cruel, inescapable choice¡ªan endless, empty life or a swift, silent death. No matter which path I took, I was cornered, left with no freedom to escape this cruel fate. The worst part was the question gnawing at me: Who would want this? Who would poison an infant? I was suffocating under its weight, and my tiny fingers curled in frustration. Each breath felt heavier than the last, as if the very air I drew in were a poison tightening around me. Is this how I am going to die again? The whole situation felt hopeless and unbearable until a spark lit- Aster. He may be a jerk, but he is also a genius. If he could travel with me across dimensions, then maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªhe could find a way to counter this poison too. Gathering the little hope, I forced my thoughts in his direction. ¡°Aster, can you do something about the poison?¡± His sarcastic voice cut in as if he had been waiting for my struggle to become interesting. I was just waiting for your useless thoughts to settle down. Relief flooded through me, but my stomach twisted with a bad feeling like the calm before the storm. ¡°Wait¡ªwhat are you planning?" I barely finished the question before his cold, clipped response cut through. Activating Phase One. Phase One? I barely had time to process his words before an agonizing heat ignited in my heart, spreading through my entire body leaving a feeling like I was being burned alive. My heart pounds like crazy, sending heat waves through my veins. It felt like my cells were tearing apart and rebuilding, nerve by nerve. I wanted to cry out and scream until the pain finally stopped, but the intensity left me breathless. "Aster, what... what did you do?¡± Modifying your genetic code. This phase is originally set for your first birthday. But to counter the poison, we¡¯re starting it early. It may hurt a bit, but bear with it. The detachment in his voice nearly shattered me. Just a bit? My whole body felt like it was on fire, and he was calling it "a bit." "Jerk, I feel like I¡¯ve been set on fire!" Stop whining like a child, he replied coldly. It may hurt, but this will ensure your survival¡ªand make you superior to others. So, consider yourself lucky. ¡°Lucky?¡±, I thought bitterly, biting down a wave of nausea. If this is luck, I¡¯d hate to see what he considers misfortune. Warnings kept flashing through my mind, one after another, each one grimmer than the last: Heart rate unstable. Temperature exceeding safe limits. Just when I was sure the pain would be the end of me, the unbearable burning subsided, replaced by crushing fatigue, as though every cell in my body had gone through an intense workout. My vision blurred, spots dancing in front of my eyes. I felt a strange sensation, almost as if I were floating above my own body. Is this how it feels to die? Again? ¡°What¡­ what¡¯s happening to me?¡± Congratulations on surviving, idiot. I was nearly certain you¡¯d die, but you managed to hold on. Well done. I could almost feel the smirk in his voice, and I clenched my fists under the lingering pain. "You... did you do this knowing I might not survive? You reckless maniac!¡± Of course,¡± he replied smoothly, as if the answer were obvious. To gain poison resistance, it¡¯s essential to undergo genetic modification. ¡°You¡ª!¡± Now your body is stronger enough to resist the Methamphetamine. ¡°Stronger?¡± I could barely contain my frustration. ¡°You nearly killed me!¡± Nearly, but not entirely. You¡¯re alive, and that¡¯s what matters. I want to curse him, but I felt nauseous, and I vomited all over the maid, who is still holding me in her arm. The sudden release of pressure in my stomach brought a sliver of relief, but Maid¡¯s horrified gasp cut through my daze, and she recoiled, her face twisted in disgust. ¡°Filthy brat!¡± she spat, a hint of rage seeping through her shock. She roughly deposited me back into the cradle, her eyes glinting with disgust as she wiped at the mess on her dress. ¡°Bastard, you¡¯re as worthless as your mother.¡± 4. Unseen Bonds My vision blurred with shock as the maid tightened her grip on my fragile neck, barely holding her rage. "If the Baron hadn¡¯t ordered me to keep you alive, I have already twisted your neck." Her wrathful expression shook me to the core. I had encountered many adults in my previous life, but there was something disturbingly vile about her. After a moment she finally losses her grip and stormed outside while shouting. "You¡¯ll starve for two whole days, you filthy creature." I listened to her vanishing footsteps, but even after she was well beyond the room, I could still hear her¡ªevery stomp down the corridor, the hiss of her curses, and even her heartbeats. "Wait... how can I hear that clearly?" Confusingly, I sat up, scanning the room, and felt the world sharpen around me. Every corner, every faint crack in the walls, and each little bug all came into startling clarity. Not only that, but my hearing stretched out too, and I can hear everything, to the edge of the hallway. Then I noticed my hands. Moments before, I could barely clench my tiny fingers, but now they responded effortlessly. A shaky breath escaped me as I called for the only one who might have answers. "Aster. What¡­ What¡¯s happening to me?" And the reply to my question came quickly with a slight scoff. Finally noticing the upgrade, are you? "Upgrade?¡± I blinked, flexing my fingers smoothly. ¡°Is this because of the...¡®modification¡¯ you mentioned?" Yes, congratulations on your first wild card jump. ¡°What exactly did the modification change?¡± I asked with an excitement. Let me show you. Aster said, and before I could respond, a transparent screen appeared in my line of sight, displaying rows of words just like those of the systems. Status: Genetic Modification, Phase one activated (Survival Mode) Physical Abilities: Level-I -Enhanced Strength -Rapid Regeneration -Enhanced Senses -Toxic Resistance -Environmental Adaptation -Heightened intelligence Skills: locked until further modification My mind spun as I read through the list. Enhanced strength, toxic resistance, even... rapid regeneration? "This is... incredible,¡± I muttered. Yes, yes, revel in the wonder. Aster replied, sounding particularly proud. Your perception, reflexes, and physical strength have all been enhanced. My brain whirled with possibilities. If this was only the beginning, what would happen next? Aster answered before I could ask. Survive a bit longer, and we¡¯ll reach a whole new level. But for now, try to rest. Your body¡¯s still adjusting to the enhancements. I leaned back, letting the new clarity of his senses wash over me. I was given a second chance with something truly unique. "Okay, but what¡¯s the range of my senses right now?" Right now? Roughly 500 meters. You can detect everything within that radius with impressive precision.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°And how many of these modifications phases are there?¡± I asked further hoping for good news but instead, Aster went quiet before finally muttering, I... don¡¯t know. ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Some of my data is locked and it will unlock as you level up. ¡°For someone who scoffed at being compared to ''systems,¡¯ you¡¯re awfully similar to them.¡± I¡¯m stuck with an infantile pest; otherwise, none of my data would be restricted. "Nice way to deflect your own shortcomings." I replied back suppressing my smirk. Just grow up and level up. The faster you progress, the sooner I can access my full capabilities. I could clearly hear the annoyance in his voice. Finally, my chance had arrived to get back at him, and I couldn¡¯t help but flash a cheeky grin. "So, you''re nothing more than one of those leveling systems, huh?" "You¡ª" I leaned back in my crib, relishing his flustered silence. "So there¡¯s something our genius can¡¯t do. Don¡¯t worry, my brilliant partner; this baby will quickly grow up to remove your restrictions. You can thank me later for being so amazing." -------------------------------------------------------------- I thought I¡¯d grow stronger in no time. But here I am, stuck in this rundown room for six long months. My days were a cycle of boredom and bare survival: sleep, choke down two servings of terrible milk, endure Aster¡¯s constant ego, and fall asleep again. Amid the exhausting days, I had managed to strengthen myself slowly. The modification had boosted my physical strength to match that of a one-year-old. At the end of my second month, I managed to roll over successfully; by the third month, I was crawling; and finally, by the fourth month, I could sit without any support. Now, I was working on standing. I gripped the edge of the cradle as I pushed my legs with all my might to stand up. "I can finally stand," I thought proudly. "And soon, I¡¯ll start talking too. I must be some kind of genius¡ªstanding and talking at only half a year old." But my happiness was short, of course, that jerk Aster had to interrupt. Genius, my foot. Even after the modification, you''re progressing at a snail¡¯s pace. And why are you so proud about ''speaking'' when you can¡¯t even get a single word, right? "Twat becouse I am coruntly mwssng my th,¡± I replied, trying to defend myself. (Which was supposed to mean: *That''s because I''m currently missing my teeth!*) Aster sighed dramatically. An idiot will always be an idiot. I rolled my eyes. If only I could land a good punch, but unfortunately, he was part of me now. Before I could think of a comeback, I heard footsteps approaching. The sound was different; it wasn¡¯t the maid who usually came in to feed me. Quickly, I lay down and stuck my fingers in my mouth, trying to look as innocent as possible. As I shifted my gaze toward the door, I noticed an old maid entering the room, followed closely by a little girl, perhaps eight or ten years old. The old woman glanced around the corridor before stepping inside and quickly closing the door. As she was locking the door, the girl rushed toward me and loomed over me with curious intensity. Her bright golden eyes sparkled like jewels, and her long, golden silky hair flowed around her like a halo, giving her an ethereal beauty. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder why this fairy is here, but in the next moment she shocked me with her weirdly action as she started opening my upper button. ¡°What is this fairy doing?¡± I thought as a mix of confusion and frustration bubbling inside me. I tried to stop her by wriggling my small body, but she gently held me and spoke. ¡°Let me examine you, baby.¡± Hearing her voice, I couldn''t help but think how sweet it sounds, as if it belonged to a fairy. Warning: Your heartbeat is rising. ¡°Stop interfering, Jerk,¡± I shot back, and before I could curse him more, the fairy flipped me onto my stomach. ¡°Young lady!¡± the maid exclaimed and quickly picked me into her arms. ¡°Baby is frail; you should treat him gently!¡± "Young lady? Is she the daughter of that old man? But how could he have given birth to this fairy?¡± I echoed internally. A fairy? It feels like you¡¯re falling in love. Aster teased. ¡°Shut up, jerk. You don¡¯t know anything about beauty. A gentleman should always acknowledge beauty.¡± Gentleman? And you? Aster shot back. You¡¯re just a baby, naked in front of two ladies. Aster''s words finally made me realize my predicament. I was completely naked, stripped by the girl. In frustration, I flailed my arms in the air and shouted, feeling utterly embarrassed. ¡°There, there,¡± the old maid patted me gently. ¡°Why is he shouting? Is he sick?¡± the girl asked, concern etched across her delicate features. Even her worried expression was beautiful, and a wave of warmth washed over me. Stop drooling, idiot. She can be your enemy. ¡°There¡¯s no way a fairy could be my enemy,¡± I retorted. Ah, how can you fall in love in this condition? ¡°This is not love.¡± I replied with a sigh. ¡°He¡¯s alright, my lady. Would you like to hold him?¡± the maid asked. ¡°Can I?¡± The girl¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. ¡°Hmm, here,¡± the maid gently shifted me into the girl¡¯s arms, supporting her as she cradled me. ¡°He is so handsome, just like Father. Right, Alice?¡± ¡°Yes, my lady. The young master is as handsome as the late count,¡± maid replied with a tone tinged with sadness. Confusion washed over me. What were they talking about? Father? The count? ¡°If only Mother and Father were still alive,¡± the girl tears up and hug me tightly. ¡°Young lady, you must be strong for your little brother.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! I promised Mom, I would protect him,¡± the girl declared and her eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she looked at me. ¡°Just hold on a bit longer, my baby brother. I will definitely free you soon.¡± 5. The birth of vengeance The girl¡¯s words echoed in my mind and the realization striking me like a bolt of lightning. Until this moment, I had assumed that the old man was my father. But hearing her speak with Alice shattered that assumption. If there¡¯s one thing I understand now, it¡¯s that our parents are gone, and this fairy-like girl is my sister. A wave of conflicting emotions crashed over me, but before I could process any of it, footsteps echoed outside the door, pulling my attention. Strange. It had always been quiet in the corridor, yet now I could hear multiple heartbeats approaching. Soon the door creaked open, revealing a figure that twisted my gut. It was the same woman I had seen the day I was born, grinning over my birthmother¡¯s lifeless body. I felt my sister¡¯s small arms tighten around me as her body began to tremble. I could feel her heartbeat thundering with fear. Without warning, the woman stormed forward, flashing out her hand, landing a hard slap across my sister¡¯s cheek, making us both tumble to the ground. Somehow, I didn¡¯t feel the impact because my sister had shielded me with her little body. Rage boiled up within me. My tiny fists clenched as I looked up at the woman, feeling helpless yet burning with a fierce, unrelenting anger. Aster¡¯s voice buzzed faintly in my mind, but I couldn¡¯t focus on his words because of that woman''s loud voice. "How dare you leave your room without my permission!" "You¡¯re just like your mother¡ªvile and dirty. I¡¯ll make sure to properly tame you." She extended her hand toward the maid who stood behind her¡ªa woman I recognized instantly. She was the one who¡¯d been feeding me. The maid smirked as she reached into her apron, pulling out a long and thick whip, the kind carved with small, sharp thorns. My eyes widened at the sight of that old hag taking the whip with satisfaction. Before I could process her plan, she rushed towards us, lashing out the whip. My sister, in an instant, shifted herself to shield me, wrapping her small arms around me, forming a protection, and closed her eyes, bracing for what was coming. But before the belt could strike, I saw Alice throwing herself over us, shielding us in her arms. My view was blocked, and I couldn¡¯t see anything. But I hear each brutal crack of the whip against Alice¡¯s body. Every blow made her flinch, her body jerking in the pain that was meant for us. My sister trembled beside me, and I could hear her silent sobs beneath Alice¡¯s protective arms. Rage bubbled up inside me, raw and fierce. How could anyone use such cruelty against another person? Against a defenseless child? My blood boiled with a helpless fury, but I was trapped, stuck in this tiny, powerless body, forced to swallow my anger as the woman¡¯s punishment continued. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the woman stopped. She dropped the whip, letting it clatter to the floor, and took a step back, breathing harsh and ragged. With her withdrawal, Alice collapsed in front of us, exposing her back, which was covered in dark purple bruises; some spots are torn open, and blood is slowly trickling down her skin. My gaze shifted to my sister, whose face turned pale with panic, and I noticed her hands¡ªsmall, trembling, and also bruised. My sister gently laid me on the ground and tried to support Alice with her little hands. Now that she wasn''t shielding me, my view cleared, and the sight of that woman brushing her hands off as if dusting away something unpleasant made my blood boil. Her lips were curled in a grin, and she is looking down at us with her eyes full of disdain. The fury inside me is blinding, fierce, and consuming. I wanted nothing more than to end that vile woman¡¯s life, to tear her apart for every ounce of suffering she had caused. For now, though, all I could do was swallow the rage, bury it deep within, and wait. My time would come. And when it did, she would regret every last strike. One day, no matter how long it took, I would make her pay a hundredfold for this cruelty. As I was making my vow in that suffocating moment of rage, I caught sight of that vile woman turning to leave. I thought perhaps she was done, but her next words sent a chill down my spine. ¡°Throw them both in the prison,¡± she commanded with a sinister grin spreading across her face as she glanced back at my sister. With her order, two knights behind her stepped forward. One of them, a hulking brute, held my sister brutally. While the other knights hold Alice and start dragging them. I watched helplessly getting them out of my sight. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Seeing them getting dragged, she approaches me while looking down at me with disdain, as if I were nothing more than a pest beneath her feet. She twisted her lips in a grin and then turned to her other maid. ¡°Are you adding the potion to his milk regularly?¡± The maid¡¯s eyes flickered briefly in my direction before she nodded with her blank expression. ¡°Yes, my lady. As you ordered, I am personally adding it every day.¡± The woman¡¯s grin widened as she crouched down to lift me up in her arm and mock me with her mix of sweetness and venom. "Isn''t my grandson''s sweet, Mary? Grandson? Did she just call me her grandson? Confusion flooded my mind. What kind of ugly game is this? Her hand slid through my hair, and she leaned close, whispering into my ear with a smug malice. "Grow up quickly, my dear grandson. You need to play the perfect role of a mentally disabled grandson who is loved by his doting grandparents. The grandparents who cherish you no matter how idiotic you might be." I could feel her mocking gaze assessing me, as if deciding how much use I might be to her in the future and she tossed me roughly into the cradle, turning to her maid with another command. ¡°Keep a close eye on Eveline and that maid.¡± The maid, instead of obeying, threw a bomb with a stern expression. ¡°That girl is clever, my lady. It might be best to... deal with her before she grows up.¡± Hearing her maid words, the woman let out a dark chuckle. ¡°That wench is a golden egg. Once she grows up, she will fetch us a fortune. Until then, we only need to put a leash on her. And this child will be the perfect leash to tame her.¡± She left the room after leaving my heart pounding with a rage I¡¯d never felt before. Hearing her plans of using us as tools made my blood boil. How could a grandparent be so cruel and ruthless? I clenched my tiny fists until my nails dug into my palms as anger seethed in me like a storm, a rage so intense it felt like it would consume me. I wanted to scream to break free from this fragile body and make her pay for every hateful word and every ounce of suffering she¡¯d inflicted on my sister. In the midst of my turmoil, Aster¡¯s voice broke through my thoughts. Calm down, kid. Right now, all that anger isn¡¯t going to help. I gritted my teeth, feeling a flash of irritation at Aster''s dry tone. ¡°You think I don¡¯t know that? But how am I supposed to just sit here when they''re plotting to use me like some puppet? And after meeting Alice and my sister, after seeing how far they¡¯re willing to go to protect me¡ªI can¡¯t just look out for myself anymore. I want to protect them too.¡± Aster sighed and conveyed exasperation and resignation all at once. Well, in that case, you¡¯ll need to be smart about it. First things first: you need to grow up safely. Strength comes with time and patience. A fresh wave of frustration surged in me, and I swung a fist through the air, as if I could hit the very walls holding me here. "And how am I even supposed to grow stronger with only poisoned milk to live on? They¡¯ll barely let me survive, let alone thrive. This filthy, rundown room isn¡¯t exactly brimming with training facilities or resources." Aster notices my growing stress and decides it¡¯s time to reveal a little more. Now, now, kid. Have you already forgotten? You¡¯ve got a genius at your side. With me, you can grow stronger¡ªeven without the ¡®luxuries¡¯ they¡¯d rather keep away from you. I narrowed my eyes as I caught off guard by his easy tone. "How? What could you possibly do in this sorry state?" Phase Two of the modification process. It¡¯ll unlock more skills and boost your physical capabilities. Plus, it¡¯ll let me access more of my abilities, which means I can assist you, well, in creative ways. My eyes lit up, and hope sparked in me. "Great! Then let¡¯s activate Phase Two right now." Eager to blow up again? Remember how things ended for you last time? I groaned, but there was still fire in my voice. "What''s the problem, then?" Your body. It¡¯s not ready. Phase Two needs a physically strong host¡ªor at least, stronger than a literal newborn. Normally, the next phase activates around the age of five. I could almost feel the weight of defeat pressing down on me. "Five years? Are you telling me I have to wait five whole years? How am I supposed to survive in this nightmare for that long? There has to be another way." Well, we can move things forward by working on that scrawny body of yours. If we train enough to match the strength of a typical five-year-old, we could initiate Phase Two early. My eyes lit up, and I felt a new spark of energy¡ªhope, maybe. There is a chance, however small, to push forward. My mind raced with possibilities, and a wide grin stretched across my face. If they wanted a puppet, I would play the role well. Let them believe I was harmless, a helpless little doll under their control. But when the time comes, I will turn the table on them. They think they are the storytellers here? No. I will be the storyteller, and they¡¯ll be the puppets in my show. They¡¯ll pay for every bit of this¡ªhundredfold. ¡°Buckle up, Aster. We¡¯ve got a lot of work to do.¡± For a moment, Aster was silent. Then its voice returned, dripping with usual amusement. Fine. But don¡¯t expect me to enjoy it. The only thing worse than watching you grow up is watching you play the role of an avenging idiot. ¡°Oh, trust me, partner. When I¡¯m done, they¡¯ll remember my name.¡± 6. Becoming the Unbreakable 20 21 . . . 30.......... My arms tremble with the strain as I push through each count. By 30, my body collapses to the floor, and I land flat on my stomach, gasping for breath. After a moment of rest, I roll over, pressing my palms to the cold ground as my chest-heaving sweat drips down my face. Before I could rest a bit, Aster''s voice buzzed loudly in my mind. Stop taking a rest. We have to go through one more round. I sigh, closing my eyes for a brief second. My body is on fire, and muscles are aching from the effort. But there is no time to rest. I push myself up, taking a deep breath, and start counting again. 1... 2... 3... Today marks two years since I descended into this world, and it feels like a lifetime of torment already. 21... 22... "Ugh! I can¡¯t do anymore..." 23... With a final groan, I collapse onto my stomach again, defeated at count 23. You dumbass. Is that all you can do? Aster¡¯s voice rings loud and scornful in my mind. ¡°Ugh! Stop shouting, Aster. Do you want me dead or something?¡± I shout back as the frustration bubbles in my chest. It¡¯s been a year and a half since I learned the truth. The truth about my sister, my hopeless situation and about my dead-end future. After that woman left, showing my fate, Aster and I began planning our next move. And I¡¯ve been training ever since. The training, this hellish routine, is meant to unlock Phase Two of my transformation. It is pure torture¡ªpain, exhaustion, and endless repetition. There¡¯s no rest, no reprieve. And for what? To become stronger. Today¡¯s hellish workout ends, and I brace myself. Time to check my progress. "Status." As I mutter the word, a glowing screen appears in front of my eyes automatically. To make me stronger, Aster made a leveling program, the one I read in light novels. A stat screen, which is supposed to help me track my progress.
Name- Zelo. Age- 2 year Physical Stats- 52/100

Training Status ¨C The Road to Glory

Muscle Madness (Strength): Level: 5/10

Endurance... Barely (Stamina): Level: 3/10

Speedy Gonzales (Speed): Level: 5/10

Limber Lizard (Agility): Level: 6/10

Stretch Armstrong (Flexibility): Level: 7/10

Marathoner in Training (Endurance): Level: 5/10

Mind Over Mattress (Mental Toughness): Level: 7/10

Lightning Reflexes (Reaction Time): Level: 5/10

Superhuman Vitality (Health): Level: 6/10

I glance at the numbers. Only two points added in the last week. Two. That¡¯s it. If I continue at this rate, I¡¯ll fall even further behind. The routine Aster has me follow is hell. I don¡¯t even get to rest. Every day, he forces me to push beyond my limits. He wakes me up early, drags me into the routine, and then makes me break. During my training, he stops my recovery process, so I can¡¯t recover immediately. Instead, I¡¯m left to feel every aching muscle, every injury, until I¡¯m on the verge of collapse. Then, when it¡¯s unbearable, he starts the recovery process, and in three or four hours, I feel better and stronger than before. After that, Aster starts it all over again. I have to run 20 laps around this cramped room, forced to do 30 push-ups, weight training, and stretching until my body screams. After all this hell, all I get to eat is milk twice a day, barely enough to keep me alive, enough to make me their doll. In the past year, I¡¯ve seen that woman twice again. She came to check on me, no doubt. To see if I am living up to her expectations. She left satisfied each time, seeing I haven¡¯t made any real progress, as if that was what she wanted. A frail, weak child¡ªone that stays helpless and obedient. A child who just lies there, sucking on his thumb, staring blankly with dead eyes. And then there¡¯s that maid. She comes every two hours, not out of care but to spy. To see if I¡¯m improving, to monitor me. It¡¯s nothing but a nuisance. She¡¯s a pain, always interfering with my training. Because of her, I have to crawl back into my cradle, lying there like a dumb child who only knows how to suck his thumb. As I curse that maid in my head, Aster interrupts with his usual annoyance.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Stop daydreaming, idiot. You¡¯ve got laps to run. "Yeah, yeah, I know. " I push myself up, my tiny body struggling to comply. What the hell am I doing? Kids my age should be sleeping, playing, and enjoying life. But here I am, stuck with an AI who throws sarcastic jabs at me. I glance at my stats again before forcing myself to start running in circles around the room. Sometimes, I think I should just quit¡ªjust die. Maybe this genius of an AI will find me a new body, and I can finally escape this hellish life. I could live a normal life, one I never had before, one I¡¯ll never have now. But then, my sister¡¯s face flashes through my mind. Her small, fragile body was trying to protect me, fighting back with everything she had. And Alice, the maid who shielded her, threw herself into harm¡¯s way without hesitation. They¡¯re the only reason I¡¯m holding on. Sure, a normal childhood, loving parents, and a happy family would be my ultimate dream. But I could still build something like that with my sister¡ªif I can just get us through this. All I need to do is eliminate those who stand in our way. After that, I¡¯ll finally have a chance to live in peace. And I wasn¡¯t born into poverty. From the lavish jewelry and fine clothing that she wears, I know my family is wealthy. I could turn this twisted life around if I survived long enough and could live in peace. That¡¯s the perfect plan I¡¯ve been craving for the last two years. "Ugh..." After thirty laps, I collapse back into my cradle, gasping for breath. I¡¯ve grown a lot over these years¡ªeven with their constant attempts to starve me. I¡¯m nearly 104 cm tall now, about the size of a typical four-year-old, thanks to my first transformation. My height and strength worry that woman. She keeps trying to sabotage my growth by adding more poison, hoping to stop my body from developing. But my transformation gave me resistance to toxins¡ªat least the ones that aren¡¯t life-threatening. That backfired on her, and I¡¯m still growing. I¡¯m short for my cradle now. It¡¯s pathetic. Can¡¯t they at least change my bed? Lost in thought, I almost miss the sound of footsteps approaching. My senses have sharpened since the training began, and I can hear three times farther than I could before. But something¡¯s off this time. These footsteps¡ªthere¡¯s a new presence among them. Well whatever. "It¡¯s time to play." And I quickly lie down, putting my thumb in my mouth, and let Aster do his job of dulling my senses. As I prepare myself to play the doll, the door creaks open, and four figures enter. Three are all too familiar: the couple who hold ownership over this pathetic doll of a life, and the vile Mary, their ever-loyal maid. But the fourth figure is a stranger. Soon they came closer and surrounded me. What are they planning? I wonder. Maybe they¡¯ve finally decided to end their doll. Aster mocks with his biting tone. I want to lash out, but our fight gets interfered with by the old man. He speaks as his stern gaze fixes on me. ¡°Please check on him.¡± The stranger who was standing beside him nods, and then he reaches out to me, placing his right hand over my eyes. I feel a strange sensation immediately, and a faint line begins to trace itself around me, forming a circle etched with symbols. Before I can fully process what¡¯s happening, light floods into my body, seeping every inch of me. "What the hell is this, Aster?" I scream internally. But there¡¯s no response. I scream desperately again. ¡°Aster!¡± But nothing comes back again. My heart pounds as fear takes hold. What are they doing to me? Should I fight back? Maybe I should run while I still can. But if they find out I¡¯m not the mindless doll, they¡¯ll kill me. Or maybe... maybe that¡¯s their plan all along. In my panic, I tried to connect with Aster again, but I got no response. Just as I¡¯m about to make a break for it, the stranger opens his eyes, and soon the circle fades, dissipating the light from my body. As the stranger removed his hand over my eyes, the couple exchanged an eager look with excitement and asked in unison. ¡°Do you think it worked? Is the potion taking effect?¡± The stranger¡¯s lips curl into a chilling grin. ¡°Yes, the potion worked perfectly. His mind is undeveloped¡ªjust as you wanted.¡± The couple exhales in relief, but the woman isn¡¯t satisfied and asks further. ¡°Then why isn¡¯t the other potion working? Why is he growing so fast? Even though we¡¯ve been starving him, he¡¯s still healthy, still getting stronger.¡± The stranger thought for a moment and finally spoke. ¡°He is a descendant of the Ravencrest¡ªthe ones blessed by the god of darkness. Maybe that blessing could be protecting him.¡± The woman¡¯s lip''s part to speak, but the baron cuts in with his sharp voice. ¡°Well, that could work in our favor. No one will suspect anything amiss if we simply say he was born like this. Look at him¡ªthriving. No one will doubt us.¡± ¡°Baron is right,¡± the stranger nods approvingly. ¡°Even if the high priest or a saint examines him, they won¡¯t be able to detect the poison.¡± ¡°I¡¯m grateful for your assistance,¡± the baron replies with his voice dripping with artificial sweetness. ¡°Expect the donation you requested soon.¡± The stranger¡¯s eyes flash with greed as he bows deeply and leaves the room. As soon as he left the room, Baron turned to his wife with a decisive tone. ¡°Prepare a room for him.¡± ¡°For him? Why?¡± She snaps, barely containing her anger. The baron replied with a hardened face. ¡°The Ravencrest subject is starting to ask questions. If they discover where he¡¯s actually kept, we could lose guardianship over him.¡± She opens her mouth to argue, but he cuts her off with a voice laced with venom. ¡°You better control yourself, Camilla. If I find out you¡¯ve killed him too¡ªout of jealousy, like you did his mother¡ªI¡¯ll kill you myself.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll prepare the room... soon,¡± she mumbles with a hollow voice. A shuddering chill rushes through me, but it¡¯s swiftly replaced by something hotter¡ªrage, a darker¡ªrage. I feel my chest tighten, my small fists clench, and something unexplainable stirs inside me. My mother was murdered. I never knew her, never even held a memory of her in my mind, but knowing that this woman, this vile creature, robbed me of someone who was meant to love me fills me with a sorrow I can¡¯t name. As I imagined paying the woman for what she had done, the baron words hit me like a hammer again. "And stop your granddaughter from bullying Eveline." The anger bubbling inside me ignites into a full-blown inferno. They¡¯ve been hurting her too. For a moment, I see nothing but red, my body rigid, vibrating with fury. I want to scream, to throw myself at this woman and make her pay for every bit of pain she¡¯s caused. The anger surges through me, consuming every thought until a voice snaps through the rage, pulling me back to reality. Anger won¡¯t get you anywhere. Hearing Aster''s voice, the fire in me dims, shifting from rage to worry. During that strange ritual, Aster fell silent, which actually made me worried about him. The thought of losing him¡ªthis irritating AI that¡¯s been with me since the beginning¡ªfilled me with a hollow dread. ¡°Where the hell were you?¡± I shout internally. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you respond?¡± Busy wiping your ass, obviously. Aster replied dryly and paused before continuing with a hint of excitement in his tone. Besides, things are about to get interesting. His sudden shift in tone catches me off guard. ¡°Interesting? What¡¯s got you so excited?¡± Did you see that light? That wasn¡¯t just any light¡ªit was mana, the building block of magic. We¡¯re in a universe advanced in magic, kid. That stranger was using mana to examine your body. ¡°Magic?¡± I echo, as my previous anger replaced with a thrill I can barely contain. ¡°Are you saying magic is real here?¡± Yes, magic. Aster replies with excitement. And what¡¯s more fascinating is your body. Mana is usually invisible to the naked eye, but you could see it. ¡°Does that mean... can I use magic?¡± I ask, nearly breathless with excitement. I¡¯m not sure. Aster says thoughtfully. I don¡¯t have enough information on this world yet, but we¡¯ll figure it out in time. For now, just rest. You¡¯ll need to recover fully to tackle your quests. He¡¯s right. The rush of the day, the whirlwind of revelations and anger, finally catches up with me. I settle back into the crib, the exhaustion creeping in as my excitement simmers down. Still, thoughts of magic dance through my mind, and a grin spreads across my face. Magic. Real, actual magic. I¡¯m glad I held onto this body, held on through everything. Maybe, just maybe, the future won¡¯t be as bleak as it once seemed. 7. First Outing That evening, after the horrible couple left, Mary came into my room. Without making a sound, she quietly lifted me out of my small, rough cradle and covered me with blanket. After making sure I was fully covered in that blanket, she carried me out of my cramped little room, taking me out of an old building and moving very quickly towards a mansion. After walking for about fifteen minutes down a narrow, dark path, I finally caught sight of the back of the mansion. It was massive, grand, and exuded wealth in a way I had never seen before. When we reached the back door, Mary carefully slipped inside. Her all steps were slow and cautious, as if she was trying to make sure no one knew I was with her. The interior of the mansion was even more incredible and luxurious. Everything, from the golden ceiling to the furniture, was dripping from the richness. The beautiful paintings and sculptures are adorning the hallways, and the entire place felt like a palace, so different from the rundown building I had lived in for the past two years. As we walked through the mansion, I tried to memorize every turn and every detail of the mansion. After climbing a staircase to the third floor, Mary passes through a massive library before stopping in front of a door. She quickly glanced around, making sure no one was nearby before stepping inside the room. Without wasting a second, she placed me on the soft bed and quietly left the room, closing the door. Once her footsteps faded, I immediately sat up, unable to resist the soft bed under me. I pressed my hands into the fabric, feeling the softness, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile. After two long years of cold, hard floors, this felt like sinking into a cloud. ¡°Wow... this is so soft.¡± I took a deep breath, trying to calm the excitement bubbling up inside me. Then, I looked around the room. Everything was so different from the cramped, neglected space I had known. The room was spacious, and the entire room was luxurious, but in a modest way¡ªnot the loud kind of wealth that screamed for attention, but the kind that quietly stood out. I stood up, feeling the softness of the bed against my hands, and wandered around the room, taking it all in. My eyes landed on a large, full-length mirror in the room. I quickly stepped towards the mirror, and my eyes wide with surprise as I took in the reflection staring back at me. I hadn¡¯t seen myself once in this life, and now, after seeing my face, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a rush of excitement. My face, though smudged with dirt from lack of bathing, had a certain sharpness to it. My skin, which is pale and fair, seemed almost radiant in the soft light. My nose was sharp, defining the angles of my face, and my ash-purple hair framed it perfectly, shimmering in the dim light. It was a strange shade, like a shadow cast by twilight. But it was my eyes that really caught me off guard. They were striking, an almost unnatural shade of purple that seemed to glow with an intensity I couldn¡¯t ignore. They were bright, like precious gems, and when I stared into them, I couldn¡¯t look away. I didn¡¯t resemble my sister at all. She had a softer, gentler appearance like some fairy, while I... I looked different. Stronger, sharper. I recalled what she had once said about me resembling our father. If I looked like him, then he must have been a very handsome man, too. I could picture it¡ªhis face, just like mine, with those piercing eyes and commanding features. He must have had women fawning over him, all because of that same striking look. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder how many hearts he¡¯d captured just by walking into a room. A grin spread across my face as I looked at myself. ¡°I am really handsome!¡± Just as I was caught up in the wonder of it all, a familiar voice cut through my thoughts. It was laced with a mischievous tone, like it always was. Enjoying your new freedom? ¡°Freedom? It¡¯s pure luxury!¡± I shot back, running a hand over my face again, unable to contain my excitement. Are you done? This self-discovery session is wasting valuable time. I rolled my eyes and shot back. ¡°Let me have my moment, Aster!¡± Fine, fine, bask in your newfound vanity. Aster conceded with an exaggerated mock resignation and added. But you do realize you¡¯ve got to continue your training soon, right? ¡°So, you¡¯re going to turn my new room into a torture chamber, too?¡± Torture chamber? Asher responded me back with a feigning innocence. I¡¯d call it the gateway to your transformation. Trust me, I am going to make a masterpiece out of you.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. My heart skipped a beat. Aster had that gleam in his voice¡ªthe kind that meant intense training, maybe even the grueling ¡®break-you-into-a-million-pieces¡¯ kind of training. But for now, I decided to ignore it, pushing the dread aside. ¡°Let me at least enjoy this bed for a few hours,¡± I mumbled, sinking back into the softness, savoring the luxury beneath me, before sleep inevitably pulled me under. Just as I was finally sinking into peaceful slumber, a sharp jolt ripped through my body, jolting me awake. I shot up, heart pounding, and looked around in confusion. "W-what was that?" Wake up, genius. It¡¯s the perfect time to sneak out. Aster¡¯s voice snapped through my thoughts, a mix of impatience and excitement. I blinked twice trying to clear the fog of sleep. It was the middle of the night. ¡°You¡¯ve lost it, haven¡¯t you? It¡¯s pitch dark out!¡± I hissed. Exactly. He replied back, with a tone dripping with mischief. Night¡¯s our best time to gather intel. We¡¯re going to the library¡ªI need to update my data on this world. ¡°The library?¡± I nearly shouted, catching myself just in time. ¡°You want us to sneak out... to read?¡± Oh, please. Stop acting like I¡¯m dragging you to your doom. This floor¡¯s deserted, remember? Just us, the library, and some oblivious servants who couldn¡¯t care less about a doll who sucks his thumb forever. Despite myself, I felt a spark of intrigue. Sleep was tempting, but the thought of discovering more about this world and magic was far more alluring. I needed answers, and if Aster knew where to find them... ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go,¡± I whispered, slipping out of bed and quietly opening the door. The corridor was pitch black, but thanks to the night vision I gained from my first transformation, I could see clearly. I slipped through the shadowy halls and arrived at the library. But, of course, nothing was ever that simple. ¡°The door¡¯s locked,¡± I muttered, rattling the handle in frustration. Of course it¡¯s locked, genius. Who¡¯d leave it open? Aster buzzed in my mind, his tone dripping with sarcasm. I let out a sigh. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan now?¡± Well... He trailed off, as if savoring the suspense.
My eyes widened. ¡°No. Absolutely not.¡± Apparently, Aster¡¯s ¡°brilliant¡± idea was for me to climb over my balcony railing, leap across a 20-inch gap to the adjacent balcony, and somehow reach the library that way. I stared at the narrow ledge and the dizzying drop below. You can¡¯t even handle a little gap? And you¡¯re dreaming about revenge? Aster taunted. ¡°That¡¯s... different,¡± I grumbled, glancing down and feeling my stomach flip. Who knows how much your sister is suffering right now, and here you are, making excuses? I groaned. Whenever he sensed me hesitate, Aster would pull the ''sister card¡¯ to rile me up. And, like clockwork, it worked every time. Fired up, I gritted my teeth and climbed over the railing. After taking a deep breath, I launched myself toward the next balcony. But gravity had other plans. Halfway across, I felt my momentum falter, and I began to fall¡ªmy heart lurched as I scrambled for anything to hold onto. Miraculously, my fingers latched onto the iron balcony railing, leaving me dangling mid-air like some amateur acrobat. ¡°I told you this was a terrible idea!¡± I hissed at Aster, clinging to the rail for dear life. Oh, please. You actually made it. He responded, clearly entertained. I thought we¡¯d have to crawl back to ground zero. ¡°Shut it,¡± I muttered, gritting my teeth as I tried to pull myself up. Two more jumps. Aster chimed in cheerily. I rolled my eyes. ¡°You better hope I survive this, or you¡¯re going down with me.¡± Trust me¡ªyou¡¯ll survive. And by the end of this, you¡¯ll thanks me for training you. I swear, if I could just punch you, you¡¯d be lying half-dead right now," I shot in frustration, shaking off the nerves. Too bad for you, partner. Aster replied smugly. Now, let¡¯s pick up the pace. We¡¯ve got five hours to keep this little outing under wraps. I sighed, steadying myself. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s get it over with.¡± My first attempt failed miserably, but on the second try, I managed to hoist myself onto the balcony and landed safely on the balcony. Well, I don''t want to admit it, but this was all the result of Asher training that allow me to safely land on ground instead of falling. After my second jump, I started to feel a little more confident. ¡°Piece of cake." I mutter, jumping my final leap which went smoothly, and I landed perfectly on the library¡¯s balcony. My hands shot up in victory as I opened the door. Whether by luck or sheer coincidence, it was unlocked. I slipped inside, feeling Aster¡¯s excitement radiating through my mind. There must have been over 2,000 books lining the shelves. I could practically see Aster drooling, his imaginary eyes wide with the thrill of knowledge. Before I could even take a step, he shouted, practically vibrating with excitement. The history section! Get me to the history section, quick! ¡°Alright, alright! Calm down,¡± I chuckled. ¡°We¡¯re already here; no need to pop a circuit.¡± I quickly made my way to the section Aster had practically drooled over. There were around fifty books lining the shelves, and I grabbed one at random. The cover read "History of the Eldoria Empire." Without wasting any time, I opened to the first page, but before I could even start reading, Aster¡¯s voice buzzed impatiently in my mind. Next. ¡°Next?¡± I muttered, barely having processed the first two words on the page. ¡°I¡¯ve only read a single line!¡± Ah, did I forget to mention? Aster said, his tone unbothered. I have a scanning ability. One second, and I¡¯ve stored all the data. I¡¯ll sort and transfer the important parts to you later. ¡°What?¡± I internally shouted. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me that sooner?¡± Aster sighed dramatically. You didn¡¯t ask, and it¡¯s not like I had many chances to flaunt my skills these past two years. Now, shall we keep going? Shaking my head, I flipped to the next page, then the next, turning the pages rapidly for my self-proclaimed ¡°genius partner¡± to gather as much data as possible. His skill of instant data transfer made things far easier than expected. Page after page, book after book, Aster collected information faster than I¡¯d ever thought possible. By the time dawn crept over the horizon, we¡¯d scanned through nearly the entire history section, gathering volumes on the Eldoria Empire, our domain, and some introductory texts on magic. Exhausted but exhilarated, I slipped back to my room, feeling like we¡¯d stolen the knowledge of a lifetime. 8. The essence of magic After arriving at the mansion a month ago, my life became overwhelmingly busy. During the day, I train my body over its limits for the second transformation, and at night, I sneak into the library to gather knowledge about this world. In a month, I devoured nearly about 1,500 books with the help of Aster''s scanning skills. A month ago, if someone had told me that I could absorb this much knowledge in so little time, I would¡¯ve laughed. But thanks to Aster''s scanning skills, learning at a rapid speed becomes my second nature. The more I learn, the more I realize just how vast and dangerous this world is. The planet, Vareen, is nearly twice the size of Earth. It is a realm divided into nine vast continents surrounded by seven endless oceans. Humans are one of many intelligent races, alongside dwarves, elves, demons, fairies, and countless other beings, each with their own histories, cultures, and traditions. But it isn¡¯t just the people who are fascinating. There are plants that can walk, trees that hunt prey, and beasts capable of wielding innate magic thanks to the mana cores they are born with. And then there are the monstrous demonic beasts¡ªcreatures like goblins and trolls, with overwhelming strength and intelligence. Vareen is breathtakingly beautiful but equally dangerous. Power is the only currency that matters here, and without it, you are as good as dead.
¡°Today¡¯s the day!¡± The thought shoots through me like a spark of electricity, sending waves of excitement rippling through my chest. Today isn¡¯t just another day of training or late-night study. Today marks the beginning of my deep dive into the heart of this world: magic. Aster and I have been waiting for this moment. We¡¯ve spent the past month combing through books on history, politics, and geography, but this... is different. This is the core of everything¡ªVareen¡¯s raw, untamed power. Slipping through the balcony gate, I enter the grand library. I can feel Aster¡¯s excitement like an overeager puppy waiting for its favorite treat. ¡°I can feel your excitement,¡± I tease Aster. Oh, shut up. You have no idea how long I¡¯ve been waiting for this! Aster replies with his excited voice. I can almost picture him wagging an imaginary tail, vibrating with energy. As I stroll toward the shelves, Aster buzzes impatiently in my mind. Why are you walking like a snail? Are you savoring each step or just wasting time? ¡°Relax, we¡¯re not in a race.¡± Oh, but we are¡ªa race against your eternal slowness. At this rate, I¡¯ll grow cobwebs. ¡°You¡¯re awfully dramatic for someone who doesn¡¯t even have a physical form.¡± Our banter has become routine by now. Yet, in some strange way, it has also become comforting. At first, Aster didn¡¯t care about my feelings or emotions. But recently, I noticed he was trying to understand them more. In a way, he is becoming more human. His sarcastic tone is still sharp, but now there is an underlying concern in his words¡ªsomething that hadn¡¯t been there before. As I reflect on Aster¡¯s change in behavior, my attention shifts to the magic section. I walk over and glance at the two hundred books lined up neatly on the shelves. The selection is overwhelming, but one book catches my eye immediately. "The Essence of Magic." The title alone tells me this is an introductory book, perfect for what I need. I pull it from the shelf and make my way to my usual spot: a quiet corner by the window. As I open the book, I feel Aster¡¯s presence buzzing, his thoughts clearly circling around the book in my hands, impatient yet intrigued. ¡°Finally! Let¡¯s see what this world¡¯s magic is really about.¡± With Aster¡¯s scanning skills, precious information starts flooding into my thoughts, and I feel the words materializing in the air around me. The pages describe mana as the lifeblood of magic, a natural energy flowing through everything in Vareen¡ªthe air, the earth, even water. Without mana, no spell or enchantment could exist. I nod to myself, absorbing every word. This isn¡¯t just some abstract concept¡ªit is the very essence of survival here. I turn the page, and the next wave of knowledge hits. The mana core is a mystical organ that forms when an individual awakens their magic. The core is created when a person absorbs enough mana from their surroundings and channels it into their heart, crystallizing it into a solid yet ethereal core. This core acts as a reservoir, a conduit for all of your magical abilities. I let the words settle in. The mana core, I muse, is the source of all magic. Without it, there can be no spellcasting, no magic at all. It¡¯s as if it¡¯s the key to everything. Once the mana core is formed, it allows the individual to tap into the energies of the world and manipulate them at will. But... not everyone is capable of forming a mana core. It requires a combination of talent, will, and unique potential. The stronger your affinity for mana, the easier the process, but even then, it¡¯s not guaranteed. Some are simply... unable to form one. I shiver slightly at the thought. The idea that I might not be able to form a mana core, that I might be powerless in this world, is a terrifying one. But I force myself to focus. There are more details I need.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. To form a mana core, one must absorb ambient mana from the world around you. The air, the earth, and even the water around you contain mana. With time and the right environment, you can begin to gather it. Once enough mana enters your body, it flows toward your heart. This is the first stage¡ªthe awakening of your potential. I close my eyes, picturing it in my mind, thinking about the next data. The mana begins to circulate through your body, flowing toward your heart. That¡¯s when you¡¯ll feel it¡ªthe pressure, the warmth. The mana condenses, gathering in your chest, until it forms a small, glowing nucleus. This is where the real work begins¡ªwhen the mana starts to crystallize into a core. But you must control it. If you absorb too much without stabilizing it, the excess mana will cause damage. It can result in mana deviation, a dangerous condition that can destroy your body. Eventually, as the mana solidifies and stabilizes, it becomes your mana core. This core becomes the center of your magical ability; it¡¯s where your power is stored, refined, and drawn upon to perform spells. It¡¯s a living organ that pulses in sync with your heartbeat. The stronger your core becomes, the more powerful your magic will be. I sit there, digesting it all, thinking. So, once I have a mana core, I can just... start casting magic? Not really. Aster replies, sounding more like a teacher than ever. Once you form your mana core, you still need to learn how to manipulate it to control and direct the mana. But yes, your core will act as the foundation of your magical ability. The more you grow your core, the greater the power you¡¯ll have at your disposal. Trying to process Aster¡¯s words, I flip to the next page only to find a chart about mana core stages. Mage Ranks Based on Mana Core Stages
Mana Core Stage Rank Mana Capacity Mage Traits
Dormant core 8 Minimal Novice, weak magic
Spark core 7 Low Basic spells, weak control
Flame core 6 Moderate Versatile spells, increased stamina
Forge core 5 Stable Intermediate spells, good mana reserves
Stream Core 4 High Advanced spells, great endurance
Storm Core 3 Very high Destructive magic, intense focus
Star Core 2 Vast Extraordinary power, reality manipulation
Ethereal Core 1 Near limitless Mastery over magic, world-shaping abilities
Void Core 0 Infinite Near-godlike abilities, reality-bending
I stared at the chart, tracing the stages with my eyes. The more I read, the more I understood. The Dormant Core is where it all began. The first spark of magic. It is the beginner stage, barely anything¡ªjust a flicker of potential. Then, you worked your way through each stage, refining and strengthening your core until you reached the pinnacle. The Void Core... It is a dream, an impossible level of power. It isn¡¯t just more mana; it is infinite mana. A power so immense, it can bend the very fabric of reality. I can hardly comprehend it. Only ancient beings, like elder dragons who had lived for thousands of years, could even dream of achieving such a rank. My breath hitched. To reach the Void Core meant an unthinkable power. I could barely grasp it. But the Void Core isn¡¯t just some theoretical thing. It is the ultimate goal of every mage¡ªthough getting there would require passing through every stage before it, building power step by step. As I lingered on the words "Void Core," another set of thoughts crept into my mind, expanding my understanding. Magic wasn¡¯t just about raw power. It was also about the way you wielded it. The types of magic you could learn were just as varied as the mana cores themselves. I blink as the next piece of information floated through my mind, details forming one by one. There were different types of magic, each with its own unique way of using mana. ~Elemental Magic: Drawing on the fundamental elements¡ªfire, water, earth, air. It was the stuff of legends¡ªcasting fireballs, summoning lightning, creating walls of water. ~Healing Magic: Restoring health, mending injuries, curing poison. It was the power to save lives. ~Illusion Magic: Creating false perceptions, deceiving the senses. Disappearing in plain sight, confusing enemies, creating distractions. ~Necromancy: A dark path, dealing with the spirits and the dead. Raising the deceased, communicating with spirits, even controlling the undead. ~Spatial Magic: manipulating space itself. Teleporting, creating barriers, bending dimensions to your will. ~Time magic: It is a dangerous art, requiring immense control. Slowing time, speeding it up, altering your perception of time itself. ~Runic Magic: Using ancient symbols to carve out magic. Protective wards, enhancing weapons, creating powerful traps. ~Enchanting Magic: Imbuing objects with magical properties. A sword that could never break, a cloak that granted invisibility. ~Alchemy-Based Magic: Combining magic with scientific methods. Transmuting materials, creating potions, and even turning lead into gold. ~Summoning Magic: Calling forth spirits, creatures, and mystical beings from other realms. ~Beast Taming: The ability to tame wild beasts, to control them, and turn them into loyal allies. A world full of magic, each type has its own potential. My mind reels under the weight of it all. And to think¡ªthis is only the beginning of discovering magic. 9. The First Kill I thought forming a mana crystal would be a piece of cake. After all, I was special, special enough to see mana dancing around me like fireflies in the night. That¡¯s what I believed three years ago. But no matter how much mana I absorbed, it always vanished within me before I could mold it into a mana core. For some reason, my body devoured mana like a bottomless pit. I could feel the mana being swallowed by some unknown void inside me, leaving me empty and frustrated. I even search the library again, searching for an explanation, looking for a reason, a cure, anything that might explain my failure. But every answer led to dead ends. No answers. No solutions. Eventually, I had to face the truth. I wasn¡¯t meant to wield magic, and I gave up on it. It hurt giving up on magic. But if I wanted to survive, if I wanted to fulfill the only thing that mattered¡ªrevenge¡ªI couldn¡¯t keep clinging to a power that wasn¡¯t mine. So, I chose the only alternative left for me. The sword. I chose swords not because I admired warriors or loved the training. I picked up the blade because it was my last option. On your right, idiot! Aster¡¯s sharp voice pulls me from my thoughts. My senses snap into high alert. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the glint of a crude blade slicing toward me from the dense brushes. I twist my body just in time, narrowly dodging the weapon by inches. My heart pounds in my chest as I catch sight of an attacker¡ªa goblin. In a moment, the goblin lunges towards me again with a vicious speed. He is fast. Too fast. But I am faster. That is what I thought before trying to dodge him, but my foot slid on the uneven ground under me. I stumble backward, losing my balance and landing hard on my palm, pressing into the ground to stop my fall. Seeing me losing my balance, the goblin hisses with delight, flashing its weapon toward me. "Not today." I shot my lungs out while using my planted hand as leverage, and I kicked my legs upward, driving my boot squarely into the goblin¡¯s chest. The impact is brutal, sending the goblin backward with a pain grunt. It hit the ground hard, rolling twice before it staggered to its feet again. But I didn¡¯t give him a chance to recover and instantly close the distance while unsheathing my rustic sword with a sharp rasp of metal.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. The goblin¡¯s claws scraped desperately at the ground as it tried to find its footing, but I was already there¡ªalready too close for it to react. Without wasting a second, I thrust the blade forward, aiming for its chest, sinking my sword tip deep into its flesh. The sound of its cry sent a shiver down my spine, but I couldn¡¯t afford to hesitate. Not now when he is still alive. ¡°Just die already,¡± I mutter in a low voice barely above a whisper. I pull the blade free, then plunge it again, this time aiming for its heart. The goblin¡¯s body jerks before its body goes motionless. Not bad, for your first goblin. Aster commented dryly, breaking the silence. I grin, letting a smirk tug at my lips. ¡°I am a genius, after all.¡± Oh, absolutely. A true mastermind in the art of stupidity. I blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Hey, I¡¯m pretty sure that''s not how genius works." Oh, absolutely. A real genius at tripping while fighting. I want to respond, but my mind was already elsewhere. I plunge into the goblin¡¯s chest with precise force. The warm, sticky sensation of blood coated my fingers as I tore out the mana core embedded within its heart. I held the glowing orb in my palm, its faint light pulsing like a heartbeat. In this world, mana cores were everything. Every living creature, whether its demonic beast or magical beast, is born with a natural gift¡ªa skill imprinted in their very being. Upon their death, their mana core holds the essence of those skills, ready to be claimed by anyone who can extract it. It¡¯s not just a tool; it¡¯s a treasure trove of potential. Also, mana cores aren¡¯t limited to just skills. They can also be refined to extract mana, or internal force. For mages, the core provides refined mana that can be harnessed for spellcasting and magical growth. For warriors, the core contains internal force, a raw energy that can be refined to enhance physical strength, resilience, and combat prowess. For someone like me¡ªsomeone with limited access to the knowledge and resources necessary for conventional training¡ªmana cores are my only shot at gaining skills. I have to take every opportunity, no matter how small. After collecting the glowing orb, I am about to stand, but Aster buzzes in my mind again. Now it¡¯s time to collect some blood. I wrinkled my nose in disgust, making a face. ¡°Geez,¡± I muttered under my breath, pulling a leather bag from my pouch. Ignoring the sticky sensation that clung to my hands, I begin extracting the goblin¡¯s blood inside the leather bag. It wasn¡¯t pleasant, but I had to do it. After our dream of magic shattered, Aster didn¡¯t waste a moment. He immediately jumped into alchemy, as if the failure of one dream only fueled his desire for another. At first, I wasn¡¯t on board. The thought of being buried under piles of dusty books and jars filled with strange ingredients¡ªspending hours in a lab, mixing potions, and researching obscure formulas¡ªsounded like the kind of thing that would drive anyone crazy. But Aster¡¯s stubbornness? That wore me down. Every day, I¡¯d hear his voice buzzing in my head, always pushing me to ¡°just help with this one experiment¡± or ¡°you¡¯ll see, this is the breakthrough.¡± And at first, I resisted, but slowly I found myself dragged deeper into his research. With each successful experiment, each elixir that shimmered with new potential, I began to see that alchemy wasn¡¯t just about making potions or mixing strange concoctions¡ªit was a form of power. If I wanted to grow stronger, if I wanted revenge¡ªI needed more than just muscle and steel. I needed potions, elixirs, and enhancements to push my body beyond its limits. And money. I needed money for what was to come. Before, we had worked with whatever ingredients we could scavenge from the mansion¡ªherbs, roots, the occasional drop of beast blood. Enough for basic brews, but basics wouldn¡¯t cut it anymore. I had to start executing my plan. I needed power, and I needed money, if I was going to kick the vile couple out of their territory. That¡¯s why I stepped out of our little bubble and into dangerous territory. I tied the leather bag shut, now heavy with the goblin¡¯s blood, and stood. The faint pulse in the back of my mind made me pause. ¡°There¡¯s more,¡± I said to Aster. 10. The hunt begins A strange feeling spread through me. Four goblins are about eight meters away, moving through the forest. I could sense them clearly¡ªlike ripples in the air that told me exactly where they were. Sensing things like this wasn¡¯t always so easy. Before, my range was limited to a single meter, but everything changed after the Phase II transformation. Now, anything within ten meters fell under my perception. It happened soon after my third birthday. I had met all the conditions for Phase II, and without hesitation, Aster initiated the transformation. What followed was nothing short of torture. The memory still remains, raw and clear. The sensation of my bones breaking, rebuilding themselves, only to shatter again. My heart burned as if it were on fire, each beat threatening to make my chest explode. For a moment, I thought I wouldn¡¯t survive. But I did. The pain was terrible, but it was worth it. Afterward, my body changed too much¡ªI became taller and stronger. Now, at six years old, I¡¯m larger than most ten-year-olds. My senses improved the most. I can hear, see, and feel everything around me much better than before. Including those goblins. I looked around quickly, spotting a sturdy tree with thick branches nearby. It is the perfect spot to plan my next move. I ran toward it and jumped, grabbing the lowest branch and pulling myself up. The rough bark scratched my hands, but I didn¡¯t stop until I climbed high enough to get a good view. From up here, I spot the goblins moving below. They are moving in a disorganized line. Their hunched bodies are growling and sniffing the air like they are hunting for something¡ªor someone. I watch them approach the goblin I had killed earlier; their yellowish eyes narrow as they sniffed the air. The moment they saw the body, they changed their movement, quickly crouching low, and started hissing to each other in guttural tones while quickly forming a defensive formation. "They''re really smart and intelligent," I thought, my gaze fixed on the shadows of the goblins moving through the trees. Aster buzzed in with a sarcastic tone. Unlike someone I know. Genius. I rolled my eyes, ignoring the jab, and focused on the situation. Even though I am stronger than most kids my age, I am not stupid enough to think I can handle four goblins at once. Fighting one had been hard enough. Goblins might be F-rank beasts, but that rank didn¡¯t do justice to their raw physicality. They are faster, stronger, and sharper than average humans¡ªespecially when working together. The ones ahead were no exception. They were larger than me, both in size and strength. My instincts scream danger and my muscles are tight. "Four against one doesn¡¯t sound like a good plan." I thought directing the comment toward Aster. Yeah, not unless you have a sudden urge to drop dead. Aster shot back with sarcasm. So, what¡¯s the plan, genius? I pause for a moment, taking a slow breath to calm my racing heart. Then, I reach into my pocket and pull out a small glass bottle. "Should we try this?" Not a bad idea. But are you confident you can take them all down within two minutes before the effect wears off? "More than confident," Aster let out a digital sigh. Just don¡¯t die. It¡¯d be an inconvenience to clean up the mess. Without hesitation, I throw the bottle toward the goblins. The glass shatter on impact, releasing a cloud of green mist that spread rapidly around the goblins. They hiss and snarl, and their formation breaks as the mist envelops them. The sound of coughing and choking filled the air, followed by their panicky shrieks. You¡¯ve got two minutes. Tick-tock. I leapt down from the tree hearing Aster, landing softly on the forest floor. The green mist cloud the air is mixing smoke and tear-inducing fumes that we¡¯d perfected two months ago. It had all started with a strange stroke of luck: we¡¯d found a snake in our mansion¡¯s backyard, along with some herbs that seemed like they could be useful. After some trial and error, we¡¯d finally created this concoction¡ªsmoke and tear gas mixed into one bottle. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough to distract and weaken the goblins.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. As the mist spread, I could hear the goblins coughing, their movements becoming erratic. They couldn¡¯t see, couldn¡¯t breathe properly, and they were all starting to panic. I held my breath, knowing the smoke wouldn¡¯t affect me¡ªbecause of the toxin resistance I¡¯d gained through the transformation. The goblins, however, were vulnerable, their senses clouded by the smoke and tears. Even though I can¡¯t see them through the thick fog, I can feel their movements. My heightening senses allow me to pinpoint their locations. One of the is already away from the group... I¡¯ll take him out first. I rush forward with my feet light on the ground as I move silently between the swirls of smoke. I can hear the goblin''s slow, panicky breaths and his uneven footsteps as he tried to stumble away. With one swift swing, I felt the distinct crunch of bone and the sudden drop of weight. The goblin''s neck fell with a sickening thud, his body collapsing to the ground. The others react quickly, sensing their fallen comrade, but they aren¡¯t as disoriented as I hope. The sound of their movements, the shifting of their weight¡ªeverything clicked together in my mind. I didn¡¯t have much time. My next move needed precision. As I calculate my next target, a sudden rush of air whistles toward me like a speeding arrow. My body reacts instinctively, twisting away just in time, but I am not fast enough. The sharp edge of the wind grazed my dominant arm, leaving a deep wound. Pain flared up instantly, throbbing and hot. I grit my teeth, gripping my sword tighter. What the hell was that? Before I could process it, another burst of air swept through the clearing, forcing the mist to dissipate rapidly. The fog cleared, revealing the goblins in full view. I had underestimated them, totally forgetting about the skills. One of them stands at the back, hands moving in intricate patterns as he continues to cast a spell, and the other two are standing in front of him, pointing their weapons towards me. "A mage type." My breath comes in rag gasps. I am losing blood, and my arm is screaming for rest. Zelo, run! Aster¡¯s voice buzzed sharply in my mind. Run. The word echoed in my mind, and for a moment, I wanted to. I could already feel my feet shift backward, my body begging to retreat. It made sense. I am outnumbered, outmatched, and injured. Every logical part of me is screaming to escape. To survive. But then another voice rose, louder, drowning out the instinct to flee. If I run now, what will stop me from running tomorrow? I froze as my hand tightened on the hilt of my sword. The weight of that thought hit me like a hammer. If I ran, I¡¯d live¡ªbut I¡¯d wake up tomorrow just as weak as I was today. Still powerless. Still useless. Still the same person who couldn¡¯t protect anyone. I grit my teeth as anger surges in my chest. Running isn¡¯t just escaping. It was surrendering. It is admitting that this was all I¡¯d ever be: weak, broken, helpless. If I left now, I¡¯d be choosing to stay that way forever. ¡°This is my chance,¡± I whispered to myself, the words raw and bitter. This fight wasn¡¯t just about survival. It was about growth. If I run now, I will never stop running. If I want strength, if I want revenge, I have to take it. And strength didn¡¯t come from retreating. Zelo! Aster¡¯s voice snapped me back. What the hell are you doing? MOVE! I stayed where I was; my legs locked in place. ¡°No,¡± I mutter, my voice barely audible. What do you mean, no? Are you trying to die? I ignored Aster. My gaze lock onto the goblins, their sneers and snarls dripping with malice. The mage¡¯s chant grew louder, its glow brighter, and the other two shifted, preparing to attack. I swallow hard and fear gnawing at the edges of my mind, but I force it down, replacing it with something fiercer. ¡°I need this,¡± I said aloud, my voice steady despite the shaking of my body. What you need is a way out of this alive! Asher tries to convince me. ¡°I need to fight. I need to get stronger, Aster. If I run now, I¡¯ll never stop. If I want their cores, their strength, if I want revenge... I have to take it here. Now.¡± Aster sighs. You¡¯re an idiot. ¡°Maybe,¡± I said, my lips curling into a faint smirk despite the pain. ¡°But I¡¯d rather die fighting than live running.¡± I braced myself, raising my sword with trembling hands. This is it¡ªmy chance to change everything. To grow. To fight. I am not running. Not anymore. Both goblins shifted into defensive stances, raising their weapons to intercept me, and the mage continued his chanting. Fear raced through me, but so did determination. This is my chance to push past my limits. My chance to leave fear behind. I yell, my voice cutting through the tension as I dash toward them. My muscles scream, my arm throb, but I didn¡¯t stop. The goblins raised their weapons, preparing to strike, but I had my own move ready. I too know some skills. ¡°Serpent''s Sweep!¡± I shout, invoking the skill I learn from the library. My sword moves fluidly, almost alive, mimicking the swift, unpredictable motions of a serpent. The first goblin lunges forward, aiming its weapon towards my chest, but I shift and swing my sword. The blade curves like a striking snake, slicing cleanly through the goblin¡¯s neck. Its head hit the ground with a loud thud before its body collapsed on the ground. The motion isn¡¯t over. The momentum carries my blade toward the second goblin, the sharp edge carving diagonally through its torso. The goblin¡¯s eyes widen in shock as it crumples to the ground. It is a technique that allows my sword to move like a snake, striking multiple targets with deadly precision. One swing. Multiple targets. I stand there, breathing barely. My sword is dripping with the blood of goblins. The mage goblin freezes and fear flickers in its eyes as it realizes its protectors are gone. I turn to face him, adrenaline surging through me. ¡°Your turn,¡± I said coldly, taking a step forward. Without wasting a moment, I charge straight for the mage. I can see the terror in his eyes as he saw me approaching. He must have realized he couldn¡¯t cast his spell in time. He tries to turn and flee, but I am already there for his life. ¡°Too late, baby,¡± I mutter under my breath. And in one swift motion, I thrust my sword into his chest, piercing his heart. His eyes widen as he gasps, blood spilling from his mouth. He collapsed into my arms, lifeless. I withdrew my sword, wiping the blood off the blade. As I stood over the mage¡¯s body. "Thanks for the core," I speak with a grin. A Note to My Readers Hey everyone, After a lot of thought, I¡¯ve decided to rewrite this story under a new title: The Journey Beyond Betrayal. While I love the core of this story¡ªespecially Aster, the AI¡ªI realized that the way things were unfolding wasn¡¯t shaping into the story I truly wanted to tell. To fix that, I¡¯ve made some adjustments, particularly to Zelo¡¯s family situation, to better align with my vision.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. I know it¡¯s disappointing when a story gets discontinued, and I¡¯m really sorry for my short-sightedness in the beginning. But if you¡¯ve enjoyed this world so far, I¡¯d love for you to join me in The Journey Beyond Betrayal and see where Zelo¡¯s path leads this time. Thank you again for your support, and I hope to see you in the next adventure! ¡ªArvi