Chapter 46. Change
Before I knew it, it was already June—20th June, to be precise, just four days before the last Triwizard task. And the day when [The Seed] will mature into what I truly desire.
The last couple of months have been… strange. I've seen firsthand how aggressively a religion grows when it gains momentum. After the 'Day of Miracle', when I resurrected the dead and cured the afflicted, there was still a portion of the population that refused to believe in my divinity. But as the days passed and my influence didn't wane, as my church continued healing the masses without asking for a single sickle, these sceptics wavered. Now, there's only a small number of wizards and witches still in denial. I'd say nearly ninety percent of the Isles have accepted me as their god. Not to mention the growing pockets of worshippers in the other parts of the world.
Though my religion is entirely a fabrication—a lie—with the help of [The Seed, I will turn it into truth. I'll give my followers what I promised—reward and punishment for their piety, a life after death. An afterlife.
[The Seed]
— A cosmic seed that grows into whatever the user deeply desires. It requires six months to fully take shape. To ensure its success, the user should keep it close, allowing it to grow familiar with them. The seed can be carried as a necklace, kept in a pocket, or held in another cherished way.
I desire godhood. I want reverence. I want my name etched into eternity. I crave unbridled power.
When the seed starts glowing and shaking, I take off my necklace and drop it on the sandy beach. I'm in my [Gamer's Abode] presently, not in the Evans Mansion but outside, on the shores that fence the island against the never-ending blue waters. As always, the artificial sky is clear and bright without a sun.
A low hum rises from the seed, travelling through the ground, thumping beneath my feet. Under my expectant gaze, it puffs and vanishes. Then I'm dragged elsewhere too.
~xXxXx~
It grows from nothing, this seed. Soil it does not need, nor water. Numerous ethereal tendrils sprout from it. They burrow into the cosmic plane, rooting into the ancient threads of the universe. These roots sink deep, merging with the tapestry of existence, latching onto reality, and becoming permanent parasites.
Once established, once firmly rooted, a single—thicker—tendril shoots upwards. It grows like a tree, a massive trunk that splits into leafless branches. Unlike a tree, it's not a physical thing; it's light, seared into the very fabric of the universe.
Under the phantom tree, the man is made into a god. In the metaphysical realm, the mortal soul is bound to the very existence of the world.
Had the man attempted to connect his soul directly to the core of the universe, he would've been consumed, akin to a drop of water cast into a burning inferno. It is the phantom tree that acts as the conduit, absorbing the raw energies of the world and passing on the refined power to the new god.
There is, however, a caveat. Though the phantom tree has become a permanent fixture, it can only consume as much as the physical world allows. For now, only a small part of the planet acknowledges him as god.
His absolute authority is limited to the British Isles.
~xXxXx~
When I open my eyes, I'm a changed man.
I've become a true god.
The system agrees too, as insistent pings force me to open the window.
[Faith System] acquired. [Seducer System] already present.
Please choose one. You cannot have two systems.
Wait, what? Why can't I have both?
Dread wells up in my chest. I don't want to lose the Seducer System. It's what allowed me to reach this point in a span of a year. These gacha points are what helped me become the strongest man on the planet. I don't want to give it up.
'How does the Faith System work?' I ask it in my head.
Another text box pops over the previous one.
The Faith System is not centred around gacha or quests. The user's strength grows with every new follower he recruits into his religion. It's supposed to be easier to level up. It also comes with four perks: True Immortality, Religion Manager, Omnipotence, and Worldhopper.
'Those sound great. But I'd like a description. I don't want to assume.'
True Immortality
— You cannot die. Your very soul is connected to the metaphysical realm. Your body may be destroyed, but you'll always reform.
Religion Manager
— It allows you to manage your religion. You can tailor what kind of afterlife your followers experience. You can grant any reward or punishment to your followers; their souls are yours.
Omnipotence
— You have unlimited power in the lands that worship you. None can defeat you there, disregarding the level difference. Note: At least 90% of the population in a particular land must declare you as their god before it can be considered your land.
Worldhopper
— You can jump to other worlds without any restrictions.
Those sound really great. If I accept this new system, I'll be a real god in Wizarding Britain. I could do anything I wanted there. The very world will follow my orders. If I continue converting the rest of the world, 'Omnipotence' and 'Religion Manager' will prove to be my greatest boons. Why limit myself to one world? I can even convert other worlds with the use of 'Worldhopper'. And unlike 'Subtle Knife', it poses no limits on me. I can go to another world for a minute and can come back instantly without having to stay the whole week.
These four perks are game changers, but I don't want to lose the gacha system.
You may keep everything that you've acquired already. Those 'skills', 'items', 'perks', and 'summons' will be put into the [Legacy] menu if you proceed to upgrade.
'Is there no way to merge the two systems? To at least integrate the gacha system?'
No. You have to choose.
The Seducer System's greatest strength is the gacha. Those points would allow me to roll the multiversal lottery. Through which I can draw legendary and mythical abilities.
The Faith System's strength lies in the ease of levelling up. I won't have to do quests to gain xp; all I'll have to do is recruit people into my religion, which is far easier and faster than quests. And it's also liberating to not be nudged by quests in a particular direction. I can do whatever I want. I'll have true freedom.
On one hand, I have a system that can spit out mythical weapons. And on the other hand, I have a system that can make accumulating levels a child's play.
As if reading my thoughts, another text box pops open before my eyes.
It won't be as easy to draw higher-tier rolls from now onwards. Your manager has been found to be tampering with the system in an attempt to give you more favourable rolls. Her authority has been revoked, and the system has been patched. Your rolls will be more balanced if you decide to stay with the current system.
I had a manager?
I shake my head, not wanting to dwell on the thought that there was a cosmic voyeur keeping constant watch on me. Though I am grateful for their favour. I doubt I'd have rolled such powerful skills and items if not for them.
'Fine. I opt for the Faith System.'
Request accepted.
[Seducer System] uninstalled.
[Faith System] installed.
Rebooting now.
My eyes roll back in my skull, and I fall unconscious on the sandy beach.
~xXxXx~
When I wake up again, I'm still on the beach, lying just a little beyond the ebb and flow of the waves. Groaning, I sit up and brush the sand off with a wave of my hand.
Something is different. I can feel it in my very bones.
As the grogginess clears, I open my menu without hesitation.
[Profile]
[Legacy]
So it happened. I've traded away my Seducer System for the Faith System.
Suppressing the twinge of regret in my chest, I check Legacy first. A quick glance confirms that all my previous skills, perks, and items have been stored safely. Small mercies. I don't know what I'd do without them.
Done with Legacy, I finally click on Profile, expectation and apprehension wrestling inside me.
Name: Harry Evans
Level: 502
Followers: 25,091
Perks:
[True Immortality]
[Religion Manager]
[Omnipotence]
[Worldhopper]
That's… interesting. I've jumped from level 252 to 502. That's a huge increase, but I can't say I'm all that impressed. Honestly, I was hoping my level would be in the thousands now that I'm a god.
'May I get a breakdown of how my levels were calculated?' I ask, hoping the system will answer.
The ping of a text box relieves me.
You gained 250 levels after your ascension. These 250 levels were calculated based on your follower count. For every 100 followers, you gain 1 level. Thus, 250 levels for your 25,091 followers.
That's broken. If I manage to win over the billions on this plane—
Levelling is not linear.
Until level 1000: 100 followers = 1 level.
Levels 1000–1999: 1,000 followers = 1 level.
Levels 2000–2999: 10,000 followers = 1 level.
And so on.
Even with that progression, I can't imagine the kind of power I'll wield as the god of a billion people.
It's honestly too easy. It took me a year to reach level 252. I'm fairly certain that by next year, my level will be in the tens of thousands.
I'll need some time to get my head straight and formulate a strategy.
For now, I should go inform my clones of this new development.
~xXxXx~
"This will be painful," Rose remarks, peering down at the stage.
The third task is a simple duelling tournament, where the teams fight in knockout rounds until only one remains. Calling it a tournament is a bit much, honestly, considering the format. Since we—the Hogwarts team—accumulated the most points in the last two tasks, we've been sent straight to the finals. So now, only Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will duel. The winning school will then face us for the Triwizard Cup. Such a brief thing hardly deserves to be called a tournament.
Like with the previous two tasks, stands have been constructed around the duelling platform in a colosseum-like pattern, providing enough seats for hundreds of spectators. A large screen hovers high in the air, showing a magnified view of the platform, where Gabrielle Delacour and Kiril Marinov stand on opposite ends with their wands ready at their sides.
"You think Kiril will win?" I ask without looking away from the stage. We're seated in a reserved area away from the audience.
"Yes," Rose replies, drumming her fingers on her knee. "Gabrielle's performance has been lackluster from what I've seen and heard. And Kiril is a strong opponent who's been consistently good even without his bodyguard."
That's true. Even without Thyra Helvig, he's better than most. But there's one thing in Gabrielle's favour—her exceptional beauty. If she resorts to using her allure like her shameless sister, the match may tip her way. The question is whether she's desperate enough for that. If it were Fleur, she'd overwhelm Kiril without a second thought. Then again, Gabrielle is not Fleur.
At Bagman's signal, the duel begins. Both participants start slow and tentative, checking each other's defences with basic spells. But then Kiril realises he's quicker and stronger and turns aggressive.
Gabrielle struggles under the relentless assault, barely shielding and dodging. Her silver-blonde hair comes loose when a cutting curse forces her to leap to the side, her graceful movements becoming stiff and frantic with each passing second. Then a shield breaker punches through her defence and sends her rolling against the edge of the platform.
Rose sighs beside me.
Not yet. The match isn't over yet.
When Kiril rips the floor and tries to bury her, desperation finally wins. Allure explodes outwards, a rush of lulling pleasure spreading with her in the epicentre. Kiril stiffens and doesn't move, even as Gabrielle burns the incoming stone projectiles, even as she takes flight.
The audience gasps; even Rose stills and leans forward. I stare at Gabrielle's Veela transformation. She's in the air, massive white bird-like wings flapping at her back, keeping her aloft. A single layer of white feather peppers her pale skin, but it's not enough to hide her seductive body. Gabrielle's face now sports a beak, her face angular, and her silver hair whipping to one side with the wind. It's her breasts that draw ogling eyes, unmarred by the layer of feather, revealing the perky mounds. The giant hovering screen focuses on her rosy nipples. Thankfully, the cover of feathers is thicker around her groin and thighs, hiding her nether lips.
I use [See] on her.
Gabrielle Delacour
Level: 42
Followed God: Rayhmir
Faith: 68%
Yes. Now my [See] shows these instead of the seduction percentage and points available. Faith System and all that. Anyways, due to her transformation, Gabrielle has doubled her power. The match is hers now.
I watch with wry amusement how abruptly the rhythm changes. The aggressor now becomes the defender, running around and trying to save himself from the raining fire. I have to give Kiril credit for breaking through her allure and being able to move. Most would've frozen in their spot and drooled at the winged siren.
Gabrielle remains in the sky, zipping around and throwing green fireballs. Like her strength, her speed has doubled as well. And I have no doubt for most she's a white blur.
I'm not surprised when the fireball finally makes contact and explodes against Kiril.
Just like that, Gabrielle proves herself, redeeming herself for her mediocre performance in the previous task.
Unfortunately, when Thyra steps onto the duelling stage, Gabrielle's trick doesn't work anymore. So she amplifies her allure in an attempt to dazzle the swordswoman. But the youngest member of a renowned guild is no mere student. She's a level 64 warrior. Her sword strikes carve the very air around the feathered Veela. The impact of her slashes travels all the way to the sky to cut through her.
Gabrielle abandons offence and zooms around, easily dodging the slashes but unable to strike back. The match goes into an impasse. Gabrielle isn't powerful or swift enough to defeat Thyra, and Thyra cannot reach the sky to pluck the flying Veela.
It's a dick move. I shouldn't interfere. But now that Fleur is my girlfriend, it behoves me to help her sexy sister. Not to mention, this fight would drag on forever otherwise. I'd rather be back in the castle for lunch by afternoon.
I turn my gaze over to Thyra and whisper, "Slow down, Thyra. Become weak. Lose."
My words are the commands of a god. This country is mine. The Isles are mine. I have unbridled power and authority within its borders due to my [Omnipotence] perk. It works. Thyra's strength diminishes rapidly. Her crisp strikes become lousy. Her mighty posture becomes hunkered. Then she trips and falls. And Gabrielle's fireball reaches her before she can move away.
Thus, Beauxbatons wins and will contend with us for the Triwizard Cup.
When it's our turn to fight them, I allow Rose all the spotlight I promised. I'm a true god now. Rayhmir is in everyone's mind. I don't need any more fame. My sister can have it. She needs it for her future aspirations.
Gabrielle's win streak breaks when my sister manages to haul her back down on the platform with a fiery whip, finishing her. I didn't have to meddle this time. Rose's time manipulation ability is enough to overpower even a strong Veela.
What it cannot overpower is Teresa, the strongest entity after me, the girl who went toe to toe with the Immortal Alchemist.
Their battle is intense, full of loud explosions and of sword meeting spells. Similar to Thyra and Gabrielle, they reach an impasse. Teresa's attacks cannot reach Rose since she can manipulate time and dodge them effortlessly, and Rose's attack cannot reach Teresa since she has a battle-honed instinct and can react instantly.
I cannot allow their passionate battle to become boring. So I end it.
Again, I cheat. I weaken Teresa to side with my sister. The blonde whips her head towards me mid-duel, her claymore shaking in her frail grasp. I stand behind the duelling platform like I'm supposed to. The look Teresa sends me is full of indignation and exasperation. There's no shock, only mild disappointment. She knew I would fall so low to cheat. Yet she must have hoped for better.
'Sorry, darling. Rose can use this publicity to become a professional Quidditch player. Since you just want to hide in the mountains and live the rest of your life as a monk, you don't have to win.'
Rose's disarming spell yanks the sword from her hold.
We win the Triwizard Cup.
~xXxXx~
By the time the end of my sixth year came, I had already given the year-end exam plus my NEWTs. Hermione was devastated when I told her I won't be returning next year. She didn't talk to me that entire day, grumbling I should've told her sooner so that she too could have prepared for NEWTs and finished Hogwarts a year earlier. Her rage didn't last long, and she came around quicker than I had thought she would. No doubt the urgency was spurred by the realisation that we wouldn't see each other for an entire year once we left the castle.
The last days at Hogwarts were spent giving Hermione special attention, something she deserved from the start.
Though Hermione wasn't the only demanding one. Since the day we fucked in the mirror world, Fleur hadn't let one day pass without us rutting into deep satisfaction. She didn't change until I boarded the train to London. I promised to visit her in France next year, once I returned from my 'world tour'.
My plans overall haven't changed. I'm still using the excuse of 'world tour' to jump to other worlds. The only thing different now is that I won't be doing it for quests but to spread my religion. I could just stay here and expand the Church of Rayhmir to other magical communities. I would've done that if it weren't already happening. A talk with Alice revealed how other magical communities were visiting my church every day. So I allowed Alice to open more churches across the globe.
Once the wizarding world is fully under my grasp, I'll set my sights on the muggle world. But until then, there's no further need for my meddling. It's better I sow seeds in other worlds while the expansion of my religion happens naturally here.
Presently, I'm in my room, packing my bags. It hasn't even been a week since I graduated from Hogwarts, and already I'm in a rush to jump worlds. My family—bar Iris—don't know that. For them, I'll be travelling the wizarding world and maybe even the muggle one.
Shrinking my bag, I put it in my pocket and leave my room.
My family is perched around the kitchen table, and their eyes jump to me as soon as I enter the room. Iris appears unconcerned, Rose looks slightly worried, and Mum is a step away from wringing her hands.
Ignoring their reactions, I take my seat beside Mum and pick the items I want to eat. She has cooked too much for the farewell breakfast.
"Are you sure you'll be alright by yourself, love?" she asks, trying to keep her voice from shaking.
"I'm a god. There's nothing that can hurt me. And I promise to visit frequently." I sigh, repeating what I've already said a thousand times, ignoring my sisters' eyerolls. Now that I'm not inhibited by the limitations of 'Subtle Knife' and can hop between worlds whenever I want, it's not a difficult promise to keep.
"Dog, you mean, not god," Rose quips, eliciting another eye roll from Iris.
I'm actually glad my family still treats me the same. No matter how strong I get, their awe never transforms into reverence.
"Right." A trembling smile crosses her face as she ignores Rose. "Sorry, can't help myself."
I smile back and lean in for a reassuring kiss. Her eyes flutter close as our lips merge. I inhale her scent and coil my arm around her back, snogging her deeply, clutching the back of her dress.
Before I can rip it off her body and eat her instead of the food, Iris scowls and complains, "Can you two not wait until we are done? We're eating."
We pull away. Whereas Mum chuckles bashfully and tries to apologise, I grab her upper arm and tug her towards me.
"We cannot wait, dear Iris. Now shut up and watch, or take your food to your room." I haul Mum in my lap, much to her surprise. She was in the middle of saying sorry to Iris when I grabbed her.
Seeing the need in my eyes as I grope her breasts, she smiles and kisses me again, ignoring Iris' further protests, giving me what I want.
Her dress vanishes. Then her bra. Her knickers are pulled aside as I plunge into her. And our kiss doesn't break again throughout it, no matter the giggles and the grumbles. I bounce her on my lap while she sucks and bites my mouth. My fingers roam over her ample curves while hers are lost in my hair. The chair creaks from our rough pace. Though the clap of her arse on my thighs is louder.
Interestingly, neither Rose nor Iris leave to escape the obscene display. The voyeurs watch us with lust in their eyes. My own are closed, but I don't need eyes to see anymore. I know what they're doing. I know when Rose starts fingering herself. I know when Iris pushes Rose's blouse to suck her teat.
Instead of breakfast, we revel in each other. Once I cum in Mum, Rose replaces her and rides me to our mutual completion. When it's Iris' turn, I'm not surprised how tightly she holds me, how needfully she kisses me. Although she shows the least concern at my departure, it's she who will miss me the most.
I hug her just as desperately, as we kiss, as we make love.
"You can come with me next year. We'll meet Robin and Olvia." I whisper in her ear as she twitches over me, enveloped in the afterwave of pleasure.
This is the perfect goodbye. After spending the next hour just talking and reassuring them, I leave to pick my maid for this adventure.
It's time for Proserpina to begin her one year of servitude.