Brian sat beneath the shattered crystal tree, hand still faintly glowing from the Pulse Strike.His chest rose and fell with quiet rhythm, but his mind was in overdrive.
That wasn't adrenaline.That wasn't instinct.That was a system.
Everything that just happened—the beast, the glowing energy, the messages flickering across his vision—wasn't magic. It was structure. It was logic wrapped in rules.
And he understood rules.
"This world is built on an energy framework," he whispered. "And I'm inside it."
Just as the thought settled, a translucent panel appeared in front of his eyes:
Status Menu UnlockedWould you like to view your interface?
Brian blinked. Then nodded. "Yes."
The panel expanded smoothly, revealing rows of information. A perfectly organized overlay—responsive, intuitive, like a visual OS coded into the fabric of his mind.
Status:• Name: Brian Owen• Rank: Initiate (Tier 1)• Energized Cells: 11,482• Cell Type: Adaptive (Unstable)• Energy Pool: 36% capacity• Path: None Chosen• Core Slot: Locked• Skills: Pulse Strike Lv. 1
Warning: Unknown synchronization method detected. Mutation potential—active.
Brian narrowed his eyes."Mutation potential… great."
Back on Earth, mutations were unpredictable. Dangerous. But here, they might mean strength—or disaster. Either way, it meant he was already different.
"System," he said slowly. "Explain my cell type."
Another window appeared immediately:
Cell Type: Adaptive (Unstable)Description: Rare cell structure capable of responding dynamically to stress, trauma, and foreign energy. Evolves non-linearly. Mutation rate increases under high-intensity conditions.Potential: HIGH.Stability: LOW.Risk Level: VARIABLE.
Brian's lips parted."So I grow faster under pressure… but I could lose control."
He stood and stretched. His joints felt lighter. His vision sharper. Even the forest looked clearer, as if the world had focused itself.
Then he noticed something pulsing nearby.A faint shimmer just ahead—a hovering point of light.
Tutorial Node Detected. Activate?
"Go ahead," Brian said.
The light expanded, forming into a floating orb the size of a melon, covered in shifting circuits. It blinked and spoke in a neutral tone:
"Greetings, unregistered subject. You have entered the Source System without origin classification."
"Welcome to Arkanis."
"Thanks," Brian muttered. "Can you explain this system?"
"The Source is the fundamental energy that powers all life and structure in Arkanis. Every living being contains dormant cells. These can be energized using Source, granting enhanced traits—strength, speed, endurance, cognitive processing, and more."
Brian nodded slowly."So strength in this world isn't about muscle. It's about how many cells are lit up."
"Correct. Power is cellular. The more you energize, the more potential you unlock. But control is crucial. Excess energy without regulation leads to collapse."
"Of course," Brian murmured. "Biological overload."
"Your current energy reserve is unregulated. Your synchronization method is… irregular."
Brian smirked. "That's one way to say 'exploding a nuclear reactor'."
The orb continued:
"To progress, you must choose a path—a specialization that channels your cellular growth. Paths define skill trees, combat styles, and energy affinity."
"Show me the Paths."
A radial grid formed in front of him, displaying glowing nodes. Each one pulsed with a different energy signature and symbol.
Available Paths (Unchosen):
Path of the BreakerFocus: Raw strength and pressure-based combat.Traits: Enhanced bone density, cellular compression, brute-force techniques.Ideal for: Frontline warriors who thrive in close combat.
Path of the FlowFocus: Agility, reaction, and speed-based dodging.Traits: Accelerated neuron signals, flexible muscle tissue, momentum control.Ideal for: Assassins, scouts, evasive fighters.
Path of the Ember CellFocus: Thermal output and internal combustion.Traits: Heat-based attacks, plasma channeling, combustion boosts.Ideal for: Destruction-focused fighters and burst damage users.
Path of the Phantom CellFocus: Stealth and perception control.Traits: Energy masking, movement nullification, shadow blending.Ideal for: Espionage, ambush tactics, and silent executioners.
Path of the Neural CoreFocus: Mental capacity and energy efficiency.Traits: Multi-tasking, predictive combat models, system hacking.Ideal for: Strategists, tacticians, and support-types with high cognition.
Path of the Quantum Cell – ⚠️ LOCKED – Forbidden TierFocus: Unknown.Traits: Classified.Requirement: Tier 5 Access & Core Override.
Brian stared at the last one.
Quantum.Something about that word stirred him. A path that defied even this system's structure? Forbidden? That was a challenge.
"I won't pick yet," he said. "Not until I understand the risks."
"Confirmed. Path Selection Deferred."
He closed the interface.
Just then, the wind shifted. The air grew heavier. Vibrations trembled through the ground.
Drums. Slow. Rhythmic. Coming closer.
Brian crouched near a tree, eyes sharp.
Moments later, three armored figures emerged from the east trail—bodies covered in Source-reactive gear, weapons humming with energy. Their armor bore a silver sigil: a circle intersected with three lines.
The lead figure raised a glowing tablet, scanning the area.
His eyes found Brian.
"You. Initiate."
Brian didn't speak.
"You're not registered," the man barked. "No badge. No core signature. Are you rogue?"
Brian raised his hands slowly. "I'm… new. Just awakened. I don't know the protocols."
The man's eyes narrowed. He scanned Brian with his tablet. A red glyph blinked.
"No faction. No academy imprint. Unaligned. Wild-type."
He reached for his blade.
Before tension snapped, the tutorial orb floated into view and beeped.
"Subject is confirmed Adaptive-class. System integrity verified. No threat level active."
The man paused, hand still hovering near his weapon. "An Adaptive… that explains the numbers."
One of the scouts whispered, "Should we bring him in?"
"No," the leader said. "He's not a threat yet. But he needs registration."
He turned to Brian. "If you want to survive, get to Virellian Academy. They'll assign you a badge, a mentor, and a Path. You've got three days."
"Or what?"
The man smirked. "Or the system will treat you like a rogue."
They walked off, weapons still humming.
Brian stood in silence.
A new interface blinked:
Objective Added: Reach Virellian Academy within 72 hours.
Brian exhaled slowly, looking toward the violet sky where towers floated in the clouds.
"Three days to prove I belong in this world," he said, smiling slightly. "Let's break some limits."