Siddharth's trembling fingers finally parted the ancient covers of "The VoidBringer." Instead of the expected pages, however, a vortex of swirling darkness erupted from the book, engulfing his vision. A gasp escaped his lips as the darkness imploded, not outward, but inward, drawing itself into his very being.
Panic seized him. What had he done? What unholy entity had he just invited into his soul? But before he could even scream, a voice, clear and resonant, echoed within the silent chambers of his mind.
Ding!
"Host verification in progress..."
The voice was devoid of emotion, yet possessed an undeniable authority. Siddharth's fear intensified. He wasn't alone in his head anymore.
Ding!
"Host confirmed. Initiating optimal learning protocol..."
Another pause, then, Ding! A holographic display materialized before his inner eye, a stark, minimalist interface reminiscent of a futuristic hacker's screen.
At the top, in elegant, glowing script, it read: Absolute Void System.
Below, the same voice, now seemingly emanating from the display itself, spoke. "Greetings, Host. I am the Absolute Void System. My purpose is to guide you on the path to becoming a Void Energy User, and ultimately, the VoidBringer."
Siddharth's mind reeled. This was insane. Magic books, demons, and now… a system? He'd read about these things in fantasy novels, but this was his life.
The system continued, its tone precise and informative. "Scanning host's physical parameters to display relevant information."
A series of lines and numbers flickered across the display, analyzing his body with impossible speed. Finally, the results stabilized.
Ding!
Host Status:
Name: Siddharth Kumar
Age: 13
Race: Human
Status:
Strength: 4
Energy: 4
Stamina: 4
Agility: 4
Defense: 4
Level: 0
System Level: 0 (Synchronized with Host's current power level)
Siddharth stared at the display, his initial terror slowly giving way to a flicker of… excitement? This "system" knew his name, his age, everything. And those stats... they were pathetic. But the system's level was tied to his own? Did that mean it would grow stronger as he did? The implications were staggering.
He found his voice, the question trembling in his mind. "Can... can you teach me to use both energies? Creation and Destruction?"
The System responded instantly. "Query acknowledged. Host's desire to wield both Creation and Destruction energies detected. Preparing quest and reward parameters."
Ding!
A new window appeared:
Quest: Absorb 5 Destruction Energy Crystals.
Reward: Energy Conversion Skill.
Failure Penalty: Suppression of all energy manipulation abilities. Time Limit: 24 hours.
Siddharth's eyes widened. A skill to convert energy? That was exactly what he needed! But the penalty... losing his Creation energy? He had to succeed. Now.
He scrambled to his feet, the thrill of potential power warring with the urgency of the quest. He had to get to school, and fast.
As he ran, his mind raced. Five Destruction crystals... everyone only gets one for the initial test. How am I supposed to get four more? There was only one option, as audacious as it seemed: his mother.
The scene shifted to the Academy gates, where Vandana and Avni waited, their faces etched with concern. They spotted Siddharth sprinting towards them, his expression a mix of determination and desperation.
"Siddharth! What happened? Are you alright?" Vandana exclaimed as he reached them, breathless.
Siddharth, trying to catch his breath, blurted out, "Mom, I need to talk to you. It's... it's about a teacher. A very special teacher."
He quickly explained, omitting the part about the "system" and focusing on the supposed individual. He described a master who could wield both Creation and Destruction energies with unparalleled skill, someone willing to teach him this forbidden art. All he needed were five Destruction crystals.
Vandana's expression hardened. This sounds insane. No one has ever successfully combined both energies. Those who tried... they perished. Is someone trying to manipulate my son? Despite her skepticism, Siddharth's earnest plea, the sheer intensity in his eyes, gave her pause. He was her son. He had never lied to her before.
"Siddharth, are you sure about this?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "This is incredibly dangerous."
Siddharth nodded fervently. "I've seen him do it, Mom. Please, just trust me. Just this once."
Vandana's resolve crumbled. She couldn't deny him this, not when he looked at her with such desperate hope. "Alright," she conceded, though her heart clenched with apprehension. "But I'm going to be there. Every step of the way."
Despite her fear, she knew she had to support him. What choice did she have?
Inside the principal's office, Vandana, after a tense conversation, produced five Destruction Energy Crystals, their dark surfaces pulsating with latent power. "Here," she said, her voice tight. "But be careful. Where is this... this master of yours?"
Siddharth hesitated. "He... he's not here right now. He gave me instructions. I can do it myself."
Vandana's eyes narrowed. She didn't like this. She wanted to see this "master" for herself. She suspected trickery, but she also saw a flicker of something genuine in Siddharth's words. She decided on a compromise. She needed to see something before allowing him to absorb all that energy.
"Show me," she said firmly. "Absorb a small amount from one crystal. Just enough to demonstrate that you know what you're doing."
Siddharth nodded, his heart pounding. He reached for a crystal, focusing his will. As he drew a tiny amount of Destruction energy into his body, a sharp pain lanced through him.
Ding!
"Secondary energy source detected within host's bio-energetic field. Quest progress: 1.3%... Stabilizing secondary energy flow..."
The System, in the background, was working furiously to stabilize the foreign energy, preventing his body from rejecting it. The pain subsided, leaving Siddharth momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected it to be so... intense.
Vandana watched him closely, her expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. "How... how did you do that?" she breathed, her mind racing.
Siddharth's mind raced as well. Did they see the system window? No, I don't think so. It must be something only I can see. He needed an explanation, and fast.
"It's... it's a technique my master taught me," he stammered, trying to sound convincing. "It allows me to... to draw in the energy without being overwhelmed."
He realized the flaw in his explanation as soon as the words left his mouth. If he kept using this "technique," everyone would want to learn it. He needed a way out.
Think, Siddharth, think!
Then, a solution presented itself. "He... he made me swear not to teach it to anyone else," he added quickly. "It's a secret technique, passed down through generations."
The excuse was flimsy, but it was the best he could come up with on the spot. He held his breath, waiting for Vandana's reaction.
Vandana, though still suspicious, was somewhat appeased. She knew some masters guarded their secrets fiercely. And she had seen something extraordinary.
"Alright," she said slowly. "If that's the case... then proceed. Absorb the rest."
Siddharth exhaled, relieved. He carefully absorbed the remaining Destruction Energy Crystals, one by one. The System worked in the background, stabilizing the energy flow within his body, preventing any catastrophic backlash.
A short time later, the Profession Selection ceremony began.
"Whatever happened in there," Vandana said quietly, her eyes searching Siddharth's. "Keep it to yourself. Understand? And during the selection, choose a Creation Stone. We don't need any more attention drawn to this."
Siddharth nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Keeping his newfound abilities a secret would be for the best, at least for now.
If I choose Creation, it will be easier to hide what I can really do, he thought. No need for more excuses.
As he finished absorbing the last crystal, the System chimed in.
Ding!
"Quest complete. Acquiring reward: Energy Conversion Skill."
Siddharth's mind raced. System, can we communicate mentally?
"Affirmative," the System replied, its voice now a constant presence in his thoughts. "Mental communication is now established."
Tell me about this skill. What does it do?
"The Energy Conversion Skill grants the Host the ability to transmute Creation energy into Destruction energy, and vice versa. It is the key to fulfilling your desire."
My desire? You mean... to become the Void?
"Affirmative. This skill is a prerequisite for achieving that goal."
Siddharth's mind buzzed with questions. Can you grant any wish?
"Potentially. However, both the Host and I are currently operating at a low level. We are limited to fulfilling minor desires. Fulfilling significant wishes, especially those that deviate from the established laws of this world, requires the Host to achieve the status of a complete VoidBringer. Furthermore, quests are the primary method for acquiring power and abilities."
Their mental conversation was interrupted by Vandana's voice. "Siddharth? Are you ready? The selection is about to begin."
Siddharth nodded, his mind still reeling from the System's revelations. He had a lot to think about. He had a power he never imagined, a path laid out before him, and a destiny far grander than he ever conceived.
He joined the others, the weight of his secrets heavy on his young shoulders, as Chapter 4 drew to a close.