The ground trembled beneath Isaac's feet as the Lesser Demon advanced, its claws dragging along the cracked earth with a grating sound that sent shivers down his spine. The creature's glowing red eyes locked onto him, brimming with malice.
Isaac's body ached, his breaths shallow and labored despite the effects of Tiferet's Radiant Mantle. The demon's oppressive aura filled the air, suffocating and heavy.
The system's voice cut through the tension, cold and methodical.
[Suggestion for Synchronization: Isaac the Dawnbringer. Current synchronization progress: 20%.]
Isaac's eyes flicked to the shimmering image before him—a radiant knight bathed in golden light, his alternate self from another reality. The knight's piercing golden gaze was unyielding, filled with a righteous purpose Isaac couldn't comprehend.
"Synchronize…" Isaac muttered. "This better not kill me."
The demon roared, charging forward with blinding speed. Isaac gritted his teeth, raising his hands as flames and light flared to life around him.
"Let's find out," he growled, accepting the system's suggestion.
---
[Synchronization Initiated: Isaac the Dawnbringer]
Synchronization Progress: 20%.
Effect: Temporary alignment with Isaac the Dawnbringer's personality and combat prowess.
---
As the synchronization took hold, golden light erupted around Isaac, engulfing his body in a blinding radiance. The oppressive weight of exhaustion vanished, replaced by an overwhelming surge of energy and purpose. His posture straightened, his every movement fluid and deliberate.
The light condensed, reshaping his form as his clothing melted away into pure energy. In its place, intricate golden armor materialized, each piece radiating divine craftsmanship. The chestplate was adorned with glowing runes that pulsed in time with his heartbeat, each rune a symbol of balance and harmony. His pauldrons curved elegantly, etched with radiant patterns that shimmered as though alive.
The cloak draped over his shoulders flowed like liquid light, its edges flickering like the first rays of dawn. His gauntlets gleamed with a mirror-like finish, and his boots left faint traces of golden fire with every step.
In his hand appeared a weapon unlike anything Isaac had ever seen. A radiant longsword, its blade forged from pure sunlight, shimmered with an ethereal glow. The crossguard was intricately carved, resembling the branches of a tree reaching out to cradle the heavens. The blade itself thrummed with power, its edges flickering like a solar flare, and faint arcs of energy danced along its surface.
Isaac—the Dawnbringer—glanced at the weapon, his lips curling into a smirk. "Fitting," he murmured, his voice carrying an air of righteous authority.
When he finally turned his gaze to the Lesser Demon, his eyes burned with golden fire. The disdain in his expression was palpable, his voice dripping with contempt. "You filth-ridden abomination… you should not exist."
The demon hesitated, sensing the shift in its prey.
The Dawnbringer raised a hand, summoning a brilliant aura of light around him. "Crawling vermin like you—" He pointed the radiant blade that materialized in his grip at the demon, the energy surging along its length making the air hum. "—deserve nothing but annihilation."
---
The demon roared in defiance, charging with claws outstretched.
The Dawnbringer moved first, his golden blade slicing through the air with blinding speed. He closed the distance in a heartbeat, the radiant energy of his sword trailing behind him like a comet's tail. His first strike cleaved through the demon's claws with effortless precision, sending severed limbs disintegrating into ash.
The demon howled, its body writhing as ichor spilled onto the ground. It lashed out with its remaining limbs, but the Dawnbringer was already moving, his steps leaving trails of golden fire as he danced around its attacks.
"Is this all you can muster?" he taunted, his voice calm yet filled with righteous disdain.
The demon lunged again, its maw gaping wide as it spewed a torrent of black, corrosive fire. The attack engulfed the Dawnbringer, but the golden aura surrounding him absorbed the flames, nullifying them entirely.
Pathetic.
A barrier of light erupted around him, the demon's fire splashing harmlessly against it. With a single step forward, he shattered the barrier outward, the explosion of radiant energy forcing the demon to stagger.
The Dawnbringer's blade ignited, its glow intensifying as arcs of solar energy danced along its edge. He raised the weapon high, his voice booming as he declared his next attack:
"Celestial Requiem!"
Golden arcs of light erupted from the blade, slashing across the battlefield and carving deep fissures into the earth. The energy converged on the demon, striking it with relentless precision. Each blow seared through its flesh, its roars of agony echoing across the wasteland.
The demon collapsed to its knees, its once-menacing form reduced to a charred, broken husk. But the Dawnbringer wasn't finished.
The demon staggered, ichor oozing from its wound, but the Dawnbringer was relentless. He landed with precision, his blade already swinging in another punishing strike. The demon barely managed to block with its remaining arm, but the force of the blow shattered the limb, leaving it defenseless.
"You are a mockery of creation," the Dawnbringer hissed, his disdain palpable. "And for that, you will be erased."
---
The air crackled with energy as the Dawnbringer raised his blade high, light condensing around him in a dazzling display. His voice thundered across the battlefield as he chanted the name of his ultimate attack:
"Final Radiance: Celestial Ascension!"
The golden light exploded outward, illuminating the entire wasteland. Pillars of radiant energy erupted from the ground, encasing the demon in an inescapable prison of light. The creature writhed and screamed, its form dissolving as the purifying energy consumed it entirely.
When the light faded, only silence remained. The wasteland was scorched and still, the demon's presence erased as though it had never existed.
---
The Dawnbringer lowered his blade, his golden aura flickering. He glanced at the scorched earth where the demon had once stood and scoffed. "As expected. Nothing but ashes remain."
The synchronization began to wane, the radiant light around him fading. Isaac's body grew heavy, exhaustion crashing down like a wave. He collapsed to his knees as his consciousness returned to its normal state.
---
[Desynchronization Complete]
Reverting to base personality and skill set.
Synchronization Progress: 20% (Isaac the Dawnbringer).
---
Isaac gasped for breath, his body trembling from exertion. The fiery confidence of the Dawnbringer was gone, replaced by his usual stoic demeanor. He glanced at the scorched wasteland, memories of the battle flashing through his mind.
"That…" he muttered, his voice hoarse. "That wasn't me."
The system's voice returned, calm and emotionless.
---
[Desynchronization complete. Synchronization progress retained at 20%. You performed adequately.]
---
Isaac frowned, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Adequately? I just obliterated a demon."
"Had synchronization reached 100%, the battle would have been significantly more efficient."
Isaac groaned. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
The interface appeared, displaying a glowing, prism-like shard labeled Skill Fragment (Origin Tier).
---
[Secret Quest Completed:The Demon's Downfall]
Reward:Skill Fragment,SP 300 Rewarderd
[You have Level Up 2x]
Base Stats is Doubled
XP is Cut by 60% and SP will not be rewarded due to incomplete synchronization
[Skill Fragment Explanation]
Skill Fragments are pieces of abilities tied to alternate selves. Collecting multiple fragments can unlock new skills or enhance existing ones.
Fragment Acquired: Tiferet's Radiance (Origin Tier).
Progress: 1/3 (Unlock Full Skill).
---
Isaac stared at the shard. "So, I need two more of these to unlock whatever skill this is tied to?"
"Correct. Skill Fragments are tied to specific abilities within the Mirror Multiverse. Fragments may also enhance your synchronization progress."
Isaac's fingers closed around the shard, its light fading as it integrated into his status. He leaned back, letting his head rest against a rock.
"I need a break," he muttered. But deep down, he couldn't ignore the power he'd felt during synchronization. It was exhilarating, terrifying, and… addictive.
For a moment, he allowed himself to close his eyes, the weight of the battle fading as he drifted into uneasy rest.
---
[Status Panel]
Name: Isaac
Level: 5
Health: 120/250
Mana (MP): 20/150
System Points (SP):750
Skills:
Gevurah's Purging Flame (Rare)
Tiferet's Radiant Mantle (Epic)
Synchronization Progress:
10% (Isaac the Flame Warden)
20% (Isaac the Dawnbringer)
Quest Log:
Main Quest: Survive the Tutorial (Completed)
Secret Quest: The Demon's Downfall (Completed)
---
Isaac's eyes fluttered open, his body heavy with exhaustion. The scorched wasteland was gone, replaced by the familiar dull gray walls of his academy dorm room. The faint hum of the Da'at System resonated in the back of his mind, signaling his return to reality.
He groaned, pushing himself upright on the bed. His muscles protested with every movement, reminding him of the brutal battle he'd just endured. For a moment, he thought it might have been a dream, but the glowing system interface hovering before him told a different story.
Isaac rubbed his temples, muttering under his breath. "What the hell kind of tutorial was that? Who throws a demon on day one?"
The system's voice interrupted his complaints.
"The tutorial is designed to challenge and evaluate the user's adaptability. Your performance was sufficient."
"Sufficient," Isaac repeated with a bitter laugh. "Right. I almost died."
The interface flickered, a new notification appearing before him.
---
[New Quest: Entrance Exam]
Objective: Compete in the Awakener Academy Entrance Exam and rank in the top percentile to earn the system's favor.
Top 10% Reward: Synchronization Boost (10% to all alternate selves).
Top 5% Reward: Unique Skill Fragment.
Top 1% Reward: 5 Mirror Multiverse Pulls.
Top 1% includes rewards from Top 5% and Top 10%.
Time Remaining: 24 hours until exam begins.
---
Isaac sat up straighter, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten.
"Five pulls?" he said, his voice tinged with disbelief. The prospect of five additional gacha rolls sent a jolt of excitement through him. But the cumulative rewards made it even better. If he made it to the top 1%, he'd gain everything—a massive boost to his synchronization, a new skill fragment, and those precious five rolls.
His mind, however, quickly shifted to the challenge ahead. Ranking in the top 1% wasn't going to be easy. The academy wasn't just filled with recruits like him—apathetic and unsure of their place. Most aspirants were driven, their abilities born from passion and purpose.
His eyes flicked back to the quest details. "Wait, 24 hours? That's… not a lot of time."
"Preparation is essential," the system replied. "Review your current abilities and strategize accordingly."
The status panel appeared again, displaying his current progress.
---
[Status Panel]
Name: Isaac
Level: 5
Health: 120/250
Mana (MP): 20/150
System Points (SP):750
Skills:
Gevurah's Purging Flame (Rare)
Tiferet's Radiant Mantle (Epic)
Synchronization Progress:
10% (Isaac the Flame Warden)
20% (Isaac the Dawnbringer)
---
Isaac leaned back, his mind racing. He still didn't fully understand the mechanics of synchronization or how to maximize the system's potential. The battle with the demon had been a fluke—a mixture of raw power and instinct—but if he wanted to survive the exam, he'd need more than luck.
He clenched his fists, the faint memory of the Dawnbringer's overwhelming power lingering in the back of his mind. For a brief moment, he had felt invincible, unshakable. But the synchronization had also left him with questions—questions the system refused to answer directly.
Isaac exhaled sharply, shaking his head. There was no point dwelling on what he didn't know. He had 24 hours to prepare, and every second counted.
"Alright," he muttered, standing up with a determined look in his eyes. "Let's see what this academy's got."
As the system interface faded, a faint voice echoed in the back of his mind—a remnant of the Dawnbringer's presence.
"Do not falter, Isaac. Strength is earned, not given. Prove yourself worthy."
Isaac smirked, cracking his knuckles. "I'll prove it. Just you watch."
----
A/N: A bit longer chapter but worth it. Leave a comment and criticism , that make me happy :)