Fenric paced the room, his bluish complexion glowing faintly in the soft light. He turned to his mother, his voice sharp with disbelief.
"But you could at least not tell them all Earth's weaknesses," he said, his gaze fixed on Elixir.
Elixir sighed and shook her head. "And who told you I revealed everything? I didn't. I withheld crucial information—like the fact that five atomic bombs could obliterate the entire planet. That secret remains safe." Her voice was steady, her expression unreadable, but Fenric saw a flicker of guilt in her eyes.
He nodded slowly, trusting her words. "If that's true, then there's still hope. But how can we warn Earth about the impending attack?"
Elixir rubbed her temples, the weight of her decision evident in her posture. "The governments on Earth are fragmented. Unlike here, where your father rules with absolute authority, Earth is divided into nations with separate leaders. Some are corrupt, others are dictators, and only a few are truly good. Even if we tried to warn them, the information might not be taken seriously—or worse, it could be exploited."
Fenric frowned, frustration boiling within him. "Then what can we do?"
Elixir's eyes lit up as a thought struck her. "I have a plan," she said, her voice tinged with hope.
"What plan?" Fenric asked eagerly, leaning closer.
"You will go to Earth with the third division soldiers," Elixir explained. "Once there, find someone trustworthy—an ally. Together, you will travel to Jupiter and seek the help of the Jupitians. Their God, Tzedek, was once the ruling deity of this system before Saturn took over. If their ruler agrees, they might release their armies to aid Earth."
Fenric listened intently, nodding at every word. Before he could respond, a knock interrupted them. A maid stepped in, bowing respectfully.
"Your Highness, lunch is ready," the maid announced.
Elixir nodded, dismissing her with a wave. She turned to Fenric, who was already scowling. "I don't want to go," he muttered, dreading the insults and mockery he would face from his half-siblings.
"You must, Fenric," Elixir said softly. "Skipping meals will only bring punishment. Remember, this is temporary. One day, this will all be over."
Fenric sighed but followed his mother out of the room. As they walked, a familiar voice called out.
"Hey, Fenric!"
Turning, he saw Fargo, one of the king's daughters. She was a vision of beauty, her blue skin radiant, her brown eyes bright, and her black hair cascading over her shoulders. Fargo was one of the few in the palace who treated him kindly.
"Hey, Fargo," Fenric greeted her. "Haven't seen you in days."
"Sorry about that," Fargo replied, smiling. "I was sick. And, well, you know how my family feels about you. They wouldn't let me tell you."
Fenric nodded, his heart warming slightly at her concern. Together, they continued toward the dining hall, joining the throng of royal family members heading in the same direction.
****
Far away on Earth, a new era had dawned. Humanity had evolved, with some chosen individuals becoming wielders of advanced systems—intelligent programs granting them extraordinary abilities. These systems allowed their users to level up, gain skills, and unlock their true potential. But as with all advancements, there was a price.
The divide between those with systems and those without had grown, leading to discrimination and scorn for the "systemless."
Jack walked into the bustling school building, his expression unreadable as whispers and snickers followed him down the hallway.
"Hey, Jack, did your system finally get you some food?" someone sneered, their laughter echoing.
Jack ignored the insult, his shoulders stiff as he pushed forward. He had grown used to these jabs, though they still stung.
Elisa, his classmate and closest friend, fell into step beside him. Her golden hair framed her face, and her uniform—though standard issue—somehow looked flawless on her. She exuded confidence, her long stockings and polished shoes adding a touch of elegance.
"Guess who got here before you today?" she teased, grinning.
Jack rolled his eyes, smirking. "Once doesn't make a habit, Elisa. You're still the queen of tardiness."
She laughed, playfully smacking his shoulder. "Touché."
As they reached their classroom, Elisa leaned closer. "So, what's your first task?"
Jack frowned, confused. "Task?"
"Yeah, the system. Mine gave me one already—to join a faction. Apparently, we'll go on missions to save the world under the command of the faction leader."
Jack paused, processing her words. He hadn't received any such task. Dropping his bag onto his desk, he sighed. "I'll check after class."
Elisa nodded, turning to face the teacher as the lesson began. But Jack's mind was elsewhere, swirling with thoughts of systems, discrimination, and the widening gap between those with power and those without.
As the class went on, a nagging feeling grew in his chest—a sense that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't yet comprehend.