The morning light filtered through the workshop's dusty windows as Zane sat in the middle of his chaotic sanctuary, trying to absorb everything Zeron had explained. The Eclipse Core, the Unique Tier system, the tantalizing hints of unimaginable power—it was too much to fully comprehend, but one thing was clear: he was no longer ordinary.
Zane gazed at the glowing status window floating in front of him, his eyes lingering on the numbers.
Status Window
Name: Zane Valor
Tier: Unique (Eclipse Core)
Affinities: Fire, Void, Light (Unlocked)
Items: Eclipse Core (Active)
Stats:
Strength: 10 Agility: 12 Intelligence: 10 Vitality: 15 Spirit: 20
Skills:
Valor's Fire Embrace Art (Novice)
Infernal Dominion (Novice)
Language Proficiency (Common, Galactic Standard)
"Okay," Zane muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Let's start with the basics. Why are my stats so much higher now? I mean, yesterday I was practically useless."
"Your stats increased because your body has been restored to its optimal state," Zeron explained, his voice steady. "These numbers reflect the physical and mental capabilities of an average individual your age who has undergone formal training and consumed powerful elixirs. However, this improvement is only the beginning."
Zane narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean 'only the beginning'? And what about the skills? Why did their names suddenly change to these… overly dramatic ones?"
"The skills you see now," Zeron began, "are not new. They are the same techniques you have been practicing all this time. For example, Valor's Fire Embrace Art is the true name of the Fire Embrace Art you've trained in for years, and Infernal Dominion is the true name of your Basic Combat Art.
"The reason their true names are revealed now is because of your Unique Tier system. When your system was Tier 1, someone with a higher-tier system had tampered with your interface, altering the names to make them appear simpler. This was likely done to limit your perception of their true potential."
"Wait, someone tampered with my system?" Zane's voice rose, a mix of anger and disbelief. "Who could even do that?"
"Only individuals with access to higher-tier systems can modify lower-tier ones," Zeron said. "While I cannot determine who altered your system in the past, their influence has been nullified. The Unique Tier system is immune to external manipulation. In fact, you now have the ability to conceal or modify the information visible to others when they inspect your system."
Zane's eyebrows shot up. "So I can decide what others see? Like, if someone scans me, I can make it look like I'm still Tier 1?"
"Precisely," Zeron confirmed. "This feature is both a safeguard and a tool. You can project any information you choose, hiding the extent of your abilities from potential threats or rivals."
Zane leaned back against the wall, letting out a low whistle. "That's… useful. But why would someone go out of their way to hide the true names of my skills in the first place?"
"That is unclear," Zeron admitted. "However, it suggests that whoever tampered with your system may have had a vested interest in limiting your growth. Now, with the Eclipse Core's influence, your system's true nature can no longer be suppressed."
Zane clenched his fists, a simmering anger building in his chest. Whoever had interfered with his progress had kept him in the dark for years. But he pushed the frustration aside—there were more pressing questions to address.
Zane glanced down at his hands, the faint pulse of energy under his skin drawing his attention. "Alright, Zeron," he said. "What exactly is the Eclipse Core? How can something so small influence my stats, my system, everything?"
Zeron's tone shifted slightly, becoming almost reverent. "The Eclipse Core is not an ordinary artifact. It is a relic of the primordial era, a fragment of something far greater. Its power lies in its ability to influence life itself—bloodlines, evolution, cultivation. It is both adaptive and transformative, capable of enhancing its wielder in ways that defy conventional understanding."
Zane felt a chill run down his spine. "So… it's alive?"
"Not in the conventional sense," Zeron replied. "It does not think or feel, but its power is intrinsically tied to the fabric of existence. It can reshape potential, strengthen bonds, and unlock paths that would otherwise remain inaccessible. However, the Core you possess is incomplete."
Zane blinked, surprised. "Incomplete? What do you mean?"
"The Eclipse Core is but one fragment of a larger whole," Zeron explained. "Its current state, while immensely powerful, is only a fraction of what it could become. To unlock its full potential, you must gather the Eclipse Shards—other fragments scattered across the universe. Only by reassembling these shards can the image of the Primordial Origin, the true form of the Eclipse Core, be restored."
Zane leaned forward, his mind racing. "What happens when it's complete? What's the Primordial Origin?"
Zeron hesitated. "Even I am not privy to that information. My database contains only fragments of knowledge about the Core's true nature. What I do know is that its completed form holds power far beyond what I can quantify. It is tied to the very origins of life in the universe."
Zane rubbed his temples, trying to process everything. "So this isn't even its final form?"
"No," Zeron confirmed. "The Core's current state is but a foundation. As you grow stronger and uncover more shards, its influence will deepen, granting you abilities that defy conventional limits."
Zane stared at the faint glow in his hands, the weight of Zeron's words pressing down on him. The idea of gathering these shards, of chasing after something so vast and unknowable, was daunting. Yet, beneath the apprehension, there was a spark of something else—determination.
"Let me get this straight," Zane said, exhaling slowly. "I've got a piece of some ancient artifact that can control bloodlines, evolve beasts, and influence cultivation. And it's incomplete, meaning I need to find these shards to unlock its full potential."
"Correct," Zeron said simply.
"And while I'm at it, I have to figure out who tampered with my system and why," Zane added, his voice tinged with sarcasm.
"That is also accurate."
Zane let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "Well, it's not like I had big plans anyway."
Zeron's tone softened. "The path ahead of you will not be easy, Zane. But you are not alone. The Eclipse Core has chosen you for a reason, and I am here to guide you. Together, we can uncover its secrets."
Zane looked up at the glowing status window one last time before dismissing it with a thought. His life had changed in ways he couldn't have imagined, and the road before him was shrouded in uncertainty.
But as he stood and stretched, his muscles humming with newfound vitality, he felt a flicker of excitement. For the first time in years, he didn't feel weak. He didn't feel powerless.
He felt alive.
The journey ahead would be long, but Zane was ready to face it.
End of Chapter 3