Chapter Two: The Cosmic Window
The following morning, Kai woke up with a sense of anticipation he hadn't felt before. The power surging within him, the warmth of the stars that now lived in his veins—it was exhilarating, but also unnerving. He had so many questions, and no one to ask.
As he got dressed for school, he tried to push the thoughts aside, hoping for a normal day at Masuki College. He wanted to slip back into his usual routine, to pretend that nothing had changed. But that was impossible now. He could feel the energy humming under his skin, ready to burst free at any moment. His hands trembled as he tied the laces of his shoes, a reminder of the transformation he had undergone.
He had no idea how to control this newfound power. The Celestial Guide had promised that he would learn in time, but when? He didn't have a manual for wielding the energy of the stars.
Kai stepped outside, the brisk morning air calming his nerves somewhat. The school courtyard was already buzzing with students, many showing off their powers as usual. Fireballs soared through the air, water tendrils danced, and telekinetic forces moved objects without effort. Kai watched them, feeling the familiar pang of envy, but this time, something was different. For the first time in his life, he knew he wasn't powerless.
Halfway through his walk, something strange happened.
A flash of purple light appeared before his eyes, stopping him in his tracks. It was like a portal, swirling with cosmic energy. But it wasn't just a random occurrence—it was deliberate, appearing directly in front of him as though it was meant for him alone.
Kai blinked, his heart racing. It was some sort of window, glowing with ethereal energy, suspended in mid-air. The students around him didn't seem to notice. This was just for him.
[Cosmic Interface Activated]
The text appeared in the center of the window, shimmering in a soft violet hue. Kai's breath caught. Was this another part of his star-born powers? His mind raced as he tried to understand what he was looking at. It looked like something out of a video game—stat screens, inventory lists, and abilities displayed neatly in front of him.
He hesitated, eyes scanning the different sections of the interface. His name was listed at the top: Kai Astara. Beneath it were rows of numbers and information, detailing things he had never seen before:
Level: 1
Star Energy: Dormant (75%)
Cosmic Affinity: Active
Stardust Capacity: 0
Kai's heart pounded as he scrolled through the information. This was more than just a status update—it was a window into his new cosmic abilities. He moved his hand toward the bottom of the screen, where a tab labeled Inventory appeared.
Inside, the inventory was nearly empty, save for one item: Nebula Shard (1). A small icon representing the shard glowed faintly, but no information about it was provided. Kai tapped the icon, hoping to get more details, but nothing happened.
Then his eyes were drawn to a button just below the inventory that said Stardust. Next to it was a warning symbol, and when Kai tapped it, a message appeared:
[Warning: Activation will convert all star energy into stardust. Proceed with caution.]
Kai's finger hovered over the button for a moment, the temptation strong. What would happen if he pressed it? Would it unlock more powers, or would it drain him of the energy that had only just been awakened?
No. He wasn't ready yet.
Kai pulled his hand back and closed the warning window. He didn't want to risk losing the power he had just gained. Not until he understood more about it.
His gaze drifted to another section of the interface, labeled Abilities. This was what intrigued him the most. As he tapped the section, a list of skills appeared before him, but many of them were grayed out, locked. Except for four.
One skill in particular caught his attention, standing out from the others with a golden glow. Cosmic Deity.
Kai's breath hitched as he tapped the name, and a new screen opened, revealing the details of the ability:
Cosmic Deity
Description: The user taps into the limitless energy of the stars, becoming one with the cosmos itself. Grants godlike control over cosmic forces, including the manipulation of celestial energy, the creation of star matter, and the ability to influence space-time.
Unlocked Skills:
Star Forge: Shape cosmic energy into weapons, constructs, or shields at will.
Nebula Walk: Phase through space, allowing instant travel across short distances or through barriers.
Astral Grasp: Summon a massive hand of cosmic energy, capable of grabbing or manipulating distant objects with extreme precision.
Stellar Vision: See across vast distances, even through walls or obstacles, by focusing on the cosmic threads that bind the universe.
Kai stared at the list, his mouth dry. These weren't just ordinary abilities—they were immense, powerful, far beyond anything he had ever seen from his classmates. His mind spun, trying to process it all. Four abilities were unlocked, each one offering a glimpse of the unimaginable power within him.
But there was more. Many other skills remained locked, their names obscured by shimmering locks. Whatever they were, they were far beyond his current level of control.
"What does this mean?" Kai whispered to himself, feeling both awe and fear settle in his chest.
Suddenly, the interface flickered, and a message appeared at the bottom of the screen:
[Your power will grow with time. Use it wisely, Kai.]
The message disappeared, and before Kai could react, the purple cosmic window vanished, leaving him standing alone in the courtyard once more. His heart was racing, his mind whirling with everything he had seen.
He looked down at his hands, feeling the energy pulsing through him, now more aware than ever of what he was capable of. Cosmic Deity—the name echoed in his mind, filling him with equal parts excitement and dread. Was he really destined to wield such power?
As he walked toward his class, the weight of his new abilities hung heavy on his shoulders. The power he now held was vast, almost terrifying. The universe had gifted him with a cosmic force that few could comprehend, and with it came a responsibility he wasn't sure he was ready for.
But one thing was clear: his life at Masuki College had just taken a very different turn. The path ahead of him was uncertain, filled with challenges he couldn't yet foresee.
And somewhere, deep in the corners of his mind, Kai knew that this was just the beginning.
---
Later that day, as Kai sat in his class, he found it impossible to concentrate. His mind kept wandering back to the Cosmic Deity ability and the skills it had unlocked. The sheer magnitude of what he could do with Star Forge or Nebula Walk made his heart race. He glanced at his classmates, wondering if they had any idea that they were sitting next to someone who could manipulate the very fabric of the universe.
A sharp voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Kai! Pay attention!" Mr. Sato, his history professor, glared at him from the front of the room.
Kai nodded, trying to focus, but it was useless. His mind was miles away—light-years, even. The Cosmic Deity power tugged at him, begging to be explored.
Later that night, Kai sat in his dorm room, the events of the day weighing heavily on his mind. He needed to understand this power, to learn how to control it. But how?
The answer, he knew, lay within that strange cosmic window.