I spent the next ten minutes in a bathroom that looked like it hadn't been cleaned since the Abyss appeared. The mirror was cracked, the tiles were yellowed, and the soap was a sad, dried-up sliver. I scrubbed myself until my skin was raw, trying to wash away the layers of "Piggy Lu" grease. It didn't do much for the weight, but at least I didn't smell like a dying cafeteria anymore.
Getting dressed was a combat sport. I had to squeeze into a Morningstar formal suit that felt like it was made for a human, not a man-sized marshmallow. Every button was a ticking time bomb.
I waddled out to the driveway where a sleek, black hover-limo was waiting. Seraphina was leaning against the door, her arms crossed over her chest. She looked at me, her nose wrinkling in reflexive distaste.
"You're late," she snapped. "And you missed a spot of grease behind your ear."
"Details, sister," I wheezed, heaving myself into the back seat. The suspension groaned in protest, the vehicle tilting dangerously to the left.
"Don't call me that," she muttered, sliding into the opposite side. "In public, you're the family shame. Keep your mouth shut and try not to sweat on the guests."
The drive to the Zenith Academy was a blur of neon lights and massive holographic billboards. This world, Eldara, was a strange mix of futuristic tech and medieval hierarchy. I saw ads for "Abyss-Grade Energy Drinks" and "Mana-Infused Condoms" flickering over street corners.
The Zenith Academy itself was a massive fortress of glass and white stone. Thousands of people were gathered for the Awakening Ceremony, the day when the children of the elite and the lucky scholarship winners would test their compatibility with Anima.
As I stepped out of the limo, the air changed. The whispers started immediately.
"Is that him? The Morningstar pig?"
"Look at the size of him. Did he eat his own Anima potential?"
"I heard he has that Yang Furnace body. What a waste. Imagine having to sleep with that to get a power boost. I'd rather stay F-rank for life."
The laughter was sharp and jagged. The old Luciel would have hung his head, looking for a hole to crawl into. I just straightened my tie... or at least the part of it I could see over my chin, and walked forward with a smirk.
[Ding!]
[Quest Update: Survive the Mockery without Crying.]
[Progress: 20%. You're doing surprisingly well for someone who looks like a burst sofa.]
"Shut up," I whispered to the system.
We entered the Great Hall, a massive stadium-like room with a glowing crystal floating in the center. That was the 'Testing Stone.' It measured your Anima capacity and compatibility with Abyss Seeds.
A tall, arrogant-looking guy with golden hair and a suit that probably cost more than my room approached us. This was Julian Vane, the heir to the Vane Guild. He looked at Seraphina with a hungry smile, then turned to me with a look of pure mockery.
"Morningstar," Julian chuckled, loud enough for everyone around to hear. "I see you brought your pet hog. Tell me, Luciel, have you found any brave souls willing to test your 'Furnace' yet? Or are you still just charging up your own snacks?"
The group around him erupted in laughter. Seraphina looked away, her face burning with embarrassment.
I looked at Julian. In my past life, I had dealt with guys like him every day, arrogant trust-fund babies who thought they were kings because of their last name.
"Actually, Julian," I said, my voice echoing in the sudden silence. "I was thinking about starting a charity. You know, for people like you. 'The Small Dick Support Group.' I've got plenty of room in my schedule since I'm not busy being a golden-haired prick."
The silence that followed was deafening. Julian's smile vanished, his face turning a dark shade of purple. Seraphina's jaw dropped.
[Ding!]
[Vile Act Detected: High-Level Slander in a Public Setting!]
[Earned: 5 Vile Points (VP)!]
"You... you fat piece of shit!" Julian snarled, his hand reaching for the hilt of a ceremonial sword at his hip. "Do you know who you're talking to?"
"A guy with an expensive suit and a very fragile ego?" I replied, stepping into his personal space. I was shorter and much wider, but I stared him down with the cold, predatory eyes of Samuel Massimo. "Careful, Julian. Your Anima is showing. It looks a little... flaccid."
"That's enough!" a booming voice echoed through the hall.
An old man in white robes stepped onto the stage. The Headmaster. He looked at the crowd, his gaze lingering on me with a flicker of annoyance before he gestured to the stone.
"Let the Awakening begin!"
[Ding!]
[New Opportunity Detected!]
[The Testing Stone contains trace amounts of Abyss Energy. If the Host touches it, the System can 'Syphon' enough to jumpstart your Anima.]
[Hidden Objective: Touch the stone for longer than 10 seconds.]
[Reward: System Shop Unlock & 1st Abyss Seed (Random Rank).]
I looked at the stone. It was supposed to be a quick touch-and-go. Staying for ten seconds would make me look like a fool or a freak.
Perfect, I thought. I've always been both.