Reader's voice carried a note of curiosity, almost reverence, as he said, "Confirm." The word reverberated in the quiet room, a tone of authority beyond his years.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence.
"Wha—what?!" Reader exclaimed, his voice cutting through the stillness. "Nothing happened?"
But before he could finish the thought, Pell, who had been hovering innocently in the air, began to shimmer. A sudden burst of light engulfed the entire room, so brilliant it leaked through the gaps under the door, illuminating the hallway beyond.
Reader shielded his eyes with his arm, unprepared for the radiance. "Arghh!" he muttered, trying to keep his voice low to avoid attracting attention. "I can't see anything!"
Blinking rapidly, he rubbed his eyes, slowly adjusting to the aftermath of the light. When his vision cleared, what he saw left him stunned.
"Crazy..." Reader murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Pell, once a tiny, lighter-purple blob, had grown to twice its original size. Its color had deepened into a more pronounced shade of violet, subtle but unmistakable. Two thin, thread-like appendages now sprouted from its head, resembling antennae, giving it an entirely new look.
____________________________
[ INFO ]
[ Peak Mid-Tier Innate Spirit ]
[ Spirit Name: Pell ]
[ Ability: Moderately Degrade Objects ]
__________________________________
Reader stared at the system notification. "His ability got stronger," he muttered, glancing at the hovering spirit, who seemed to pulse with new energy.
Knock! Knock!
The sound of knuckles rapping on the door broke Reader's trance.
"Young Master, are you doing well?" George's deep voice came from the other side of the door.
Reader flinched, panic rising in his chest. "Ah, yes!" he stammered, scrambling to compose himself.
"Is there something you wish to say?" Reader asked quickly, trying to sound casual.
"I was nearby and heard your voice. Just checking in," George replied.
"Oh… no, everything's fine!" Reader said, his voice a little too high-pitched.
Pell, now quieter than usual, floated closer to Reader, rubbing its soft, glowing form affectionately against his cheek. The gesture was comforting yet ticklish, causing Reader to suppress a laugh.
"Very well," George said, the sound of his retreating footsteps fading down the hall.
Reader let out a deep sigh of relief. He turned back to Pell, hovering at his side. "Interesting… you've definitely grown bigger." He held a hand over Pell as if measuring its height, his expression thoughtful.
"Yippee!!" Pell squealed, spinning in place, its new antennae bobbing with the movement.
Reader chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, that's enough excitement for one day. It's time for bed."
_________________________________________
The Next Morning
The sunlight filtered through the curtains as Reader groggily stumbled into the bathroom. His half-open eyes barely registered the mirror at first, but then he froze.
"What the—?" he muttered, his grogginess instantly replaced with shock.
Standing in the reflection was his own face, but his body had noticeably changed. His frame, while still small and childlike, had gained subtle muscle definition—an impossible transformation for a five-year-old.
'Is this really the body of a five-year-old?' Reader thought, his mind racing.
He flexed an arm experimentally, watching the faint line of a muscle contract beneath his skin. "This is insane..." he whispered, his wide-eyed gaze darting between his reflection and the faint shimmer of Pell hovering behind him.
The day had just begun, but Reader knew he was in for another series of surprises.