The holographic screen showing Aarav's "Adaptation" power flickered and then vanished with a mental dismissive thought from him. He couldn't shake the feeling that his power was designed to be as annoying as possible for someone who just wanted to chill.
Around him, the vast reddish plain was a sea of confusion, fear, and bursts of raw, new power. Then, for every player, a new, mandatory panel appeared on their personal holographic System UI, pulsing with a gentle light. It demanded attention.
Aarav, still muttering about his useless "Adaptation," saw it pop up in his mental vision: a bright, new panel labele
"PATH SELECTION."
PATH SELECTION
CHOOSE YOUR PATH, PLAYER. THIS CHOICE WILL SHAPE YOUR ASCENSION.
Below the bold text, five large, distinct icons shimmered, each representing a core path, with a brief description next to them:
* [Arcane Symbol] PATH OF ARCANA (Magic-based): Control universal energies, cast spells, master ancient mystic arts.
* [Martial Symbol] PATH OF CULTIVATION (Internal Energy/Body-based): Refine your inner self, enhance physical abilities, achieve superhuman feats.
* [Mind Symbol] PATH OF PSIONICS (Mind-based): Harness mental power to affect the world, control others, or see what's to come.
* [Gear Symbol] PATH OF TECHNOMANCY (Sci-Fi/Tech-based): Integrate with advanced technology, cybernetics, energy weapons, and machine control.
* [Paw Print/Leaf Symbol] PATH OF PRIMAL (Beast/Nature-based):
Connect with raw nature, transform into creatures, or command wild forces.
A small timer started counting down from 30 seconds, forcing players to make a quick decision.
Aarav, however, saw something else. Below the five main Path choices, a smaller, almost invisible message flickered on his UI. It wasn't a choice, but a note:
NOTE: CORE POWER 'ADAPTATION' HAS ALREADY DEFINED PLAYER'S PATH.
He blinked. "Oh, good. Less thinking," he mumbled, though a part of him felt a strange mix of relief and annoyance at being railroaded. So he didn't get a choice. His power was so weird it was its own path. "Can't even make me commit to a cosmic career path," he thought with a dry smirk.
Meanwhile, far from the main group of humans, Kiyea stood absolutely still. He didn't rush his choice. His sharp, calculating eyes scanned the various beings around him, noting their immediate, often predictable, selections. He saw the bursts of elemental energy, the hardening of skin, the subtle mental shifts. Each one, a piece of data.
When the Path selection prompt appeared for him, his expression remained cold, unreadable. He didn't hesitate. His decision was not based on desire, but on pure, cold logic. He closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, his mind already making the choice. His UI glowed:
PATH SELECTED: PSIONICS
INITIAL CLASS: PSYCHIC DUELIST (Rank 1/10)
CORE ABILITY GAINED: [MIND IMPULSE]: Send a short-range mental shockwave, disorienting targets. Cost: 7 EP.
His own internal thoughts: His core power, 'DOMINION,' was unique even within the Psionics path, and he knew it would allow him to grow far beyond simple "Mind Impulse" when developed. He needed control, and this path offered the most direct way to get it.
He swept his gaze over the new arrivals again, his eyes finally landing on Aarav, who was still muttering to himself about his "Adaptation" power. Kiyea's cold smirk widened just a fraction. He knew that face. He knew that quiet intensity hidden beneath the casual act. A flicker of an old memory, buried deep, touched him. But he pushed it down. Sentiment was a weakness.
Around them, other players were making their choices too.
A burly warrior from a planet that looked like a giant forge slammed his fist against his chest, a fierce light in his eyes. He mentally selected "PATH OF CULTIVATION." His UI immediately flashed:
PATH SELECTED: CULTIVATION
INITIAL CLASS: MARTIAL ARTIST (Rank 1/10)
CORE ABILITY GAINED: [IRON FIST]: Temporarily harden fists for increased damage. Cost: 5 EP.
He roared, and his body glowed with internal energy. He'd become a Martial Artist.
A delicate, graceful alien with shimmering wings, looked towards the swirling sky, its eyes wide with wonder. It mentally chose "Arcana," and a faint, ethereal glow surrounded its hands. Its UI confirmed:
PATH SELECTED: ARCANA
INITIAL CLASS: ELEMENTAL WEAVER (Rank 1/10)
CORE ABILITY GAINED: [WIND GUST]: Create a small burst of wind. Cost: 3 EP.
It might become an Elemental Weaver, manipulating the strange light in the sky.
A sleek, grey-skinned being with multiple eyes, who had been studying the ground with scientific precision, closed its many eyelids for a moment. When they opened, a faint hum of energy vibrated around its head. It selected "Technomancy," and its UI changed:
PATH SELECTED: TECHNOMANCY
INITIAL CLASS: ENERGY ENGINEER (Rank 1/10)
CORE ABILITY GAINED: [FORCE FIELD]: Create a small, temporary energy shield. Cost: 8 EP.
It was probably aiming to be a Data Weaver or Energy Engineer.
Near Aarav, Maya, the energetic Earth girl, clapped her hands together with glee. She made her choice instantly. Her UI confirmed:
PATH SELECTED: PRIMAL
INITIAL CLASS: SHAPESHIFTER (Rank 1/10)
CORE ABILITY GAINED: [FURLINE CLAWS]: Grow temporary, sharp claws. Cost: 4 EP.
"Primal! Definitely Primal!" she bounced. "I want to be a Shapeshifter! Imagine turning into a giant space tiger!" A small, hopeful shimmer appeared around her.
Rohan, the nervous one, chewed on his lip, his glasses fogging slightly. He looked between the "Arcana" and "Psionics" options, clearly torn between logic and perhaps a secret desire for magic. Finally, he straightened his spectacles and mentally clicked his choice. His UI shifted:
PATH SELECTED: PSIONICS
INITIAL CLASS: EMPATH (Rank 1/10)
CORE ABILITY GAINED: [MIND TOUCH]: Sense surface emotions of nearby creatures. Cost: 2 EP.
"Psionics," he muttered, a faint mental pulse visible around his head. "Information gathering is key, after all." He was probably aiming for a Precognitor or Empath.
Aarav, however, still saw no such prompt on his screen. His status screen, when he mentally pulled it up again, just showed "Core Power: ADAPTATION." No Path selection. No forced choice. He was an anomaly. "Figures," he mumbled.
The System's voice returned, booming once more, shaking the very air.
"HALF DAY CONCLUDED. ALL PLAYERS HAVE CHOSEN THEIR INITIAL PATHS. THE FIRST TRIAL COMMENCES. OBJECTIVE: SURVIVAL."
The ground beneath them began to rumble violently. Deep cracks, like angry red lightning bolts, spread across the plain. Strange, guttural roars echoed from the jagged, tooth-like mountains in the distance. The air grew thick with tension and the smell of raw earth. The show, for the Multiverse Lord, had just begun.