The robotic sound from my laboratory echoed in my mind, as clear as if someone were whispering beside me.
["Beep!"]
["Identity and personality variation."]
Those words made my brow furrow. "What does that mean now?" I thought to myself, but before I could articulate a question, another notification chimed.
[An anomaly has been detected in the Host's brainwaves!]
I sighed heavily. Even on my first day as an Acolyte, it seemed like my own mind was determined to play tricks on me. I closed my eyes and issued a mental command: "Run a report!"
["Beep!"]
The space around me seemed to dissolve for a moment as my virtual laboratory activated its internal analysis. A holographic panel appeared in my mental vision, displaying complex graphs, vibrant measurements, and ever-spinning geometric shapes. Lines of code crossed the panel as the system delved into the depths of my mind, searching for something—anything—that could explain the "anomaly."
I felt a slight pressure in my head, as if something were probing my brain, trying to access parts I might not even understand myself. Graphs rose and fell, numbers flashed, and beams of light moved across the panel in frantic patterns.
Despite all the effort of the virtual lab, the analysis seemed... to struggle. The holographic images began to flicker, numbers scrambled, and the pressure in my head intensified with no tangible results.
Finally, after what felt like endless minutes, the panel's light flashed red, and two messages appeared before my eyes:
["Inconclusive results."]
["Insufficient information. Please update the database to progress."]
I sighed again, this time with a mix of frustration and resignation. "It seems there's a shift in spiritual energy, but I don't have enough information about this field to delve further for now," I murmured to myself, feeling a pang of helplessness.
Miguel, who had seemed preoccupied with another task until now, noticed I was a bit dizzy. He raised his head, a slightly ironic smile on his face, and pointed to the small box where I had left my belongings upon entering the lab.
"The meditation technique infused in the potion has been given to you, right?" he asked. "Take a look at it when you get back to your room. You can absorb the information now. It'll help stabilize your mind and your spiritual connection."
I nodded in agreement as he continued, "Tomorrow, come here at six in the morning! I want to start working on something more advanced with you. But remember..." He narrowed his eyes, his voice carrying a warning tone. "Don't wander around. There are things in this tower that can make a kid like you disappear without a trace."
"I'll do as you say, Mentor," I replied, bowing slightly as a sign of respect.
I walked to the box, carefully collecting my belongings. Before leaving, I took one last look at Miguel. He was already back at his workstation, his skilled fingers adjusting the incomplete device he had been working on earlier.
As I left Miguel's laboratory, the tower's long, empty hallways stretched before me, shrouded in an unsettling silence.
"Luckily, I passed through here earlier; otherwise, I wouldn't even know where the dormitories are located!" I murmured, glancing around to get my bearings.
I paused for a moment and issued a mental command: "Virtual lab, activate the map based on what I've seen since arriving here."
["Beep!"]
In the corner of my vision, a small holographic projection appeared. A three-dimensional map of the tower began to form, based on everything my eyes had captured so far.
["Updating information..."]
["Information updated!"]
I observed closely. The map displayed hallways, rooms, and areas I had already passed through, and it seemed almost alive, adapting in real-time. With a quick thought, I added another function:
"Mark prohibited or potentially dangerous areas with red dots. I don't want any unpleasant encounters with mages or worse… After all, if Miguel warned me earlier, there must be hidden dangers in this place."
As red dots began to appear on the map, I adjusted my route to avoid the dangerous locations. Step by step, I advanced through the hallways until I finally reached the dormitories.
Holding my belongings tightly, I pulled out a heavy silver key I had received earlier. The number "999" was engraved on it, and its cold, smooth edges reflected the dim ambient light.
I glanced at the dormitory corridors for a moment. They were empty compared to earlier that day. Each of my steps echoed loudly, the sound reverberating off the walls and sending chills down my arms.
My eyes wandered over the aligned doors on both sides of the hallway. Each door bore a number engraved on its wooden surface, marking the room of a student.
"Here it is!" I whispered to myself, stopping in front of the door marked "999."
I raised my arm and inserted the key into the lock. The metallic sound of the click echoed, heavy and decisive, as I turned the key clockwise. With a gentle push, the door creaked open, revealing a dark space.
At that moment, a faint light automatically flickered on overhead. The lamps, encased in some sort of indestructible casing, emitted just enough glow to illuminate the room.
"Not bad..." I murmured, dropping my belongings on the floor and taking a detailed look at the place where I'd spend the next few years.
The room was simple but functional. On one side was a wooden bed with a thin mattress, still wrapped in protective plastic. Beside it stood a small desk with drawers and a chair, probably for studying. There was also an empty bookshelf, ready to be filled with books and supplies.
In the opposite corner was a sturdy wardrobe with bronze hardware, perfect for storing my clothes and gear. A small washstand was built into one corner of the wall, complete with a sink and a mirror above it.
The walls, like the rest of the tower, were made of rough stone, giving off a sense of solidity. Yet, the environment felt cold and impersonal. The only sound was the faint hum of the magical lighting.
I sighed, feeling a mix of exhaustion and relief. "This place will be my home for years… better start getting used to it."
After everything that had happened that day, I finally had a moment to breathe. I raised my arms and immediately caught a terrible smell. "Ugh…" I grimaced in disgust, realizing how filthy I was. The stench of dried blood—remnants of the acolyte explosion caused by Marcelina—mixed with the accumulated sweat from the long airship journey, where I hadn't had a chance to wash up.
"Okay, I need a shower," I said aloud, determined. I glanced around the room and noticed the clothes I had left on the floor. They were the standard acolyte attire—hooded robes, simple trousers, boots, and gloves.
I gathered everything and walked to the wardrobe in the corner of the room. "First things first," I muttered. I stored the clothes carefully, folding and organizing them on the wardrobe shelves. Then, I turned to the books I had received earlier, piled on the floor. I picked them up one by one—heavy and ancient, with titles in languages I recognized but didn't fully understand yet. I placed them on the empty bookshelf.
"Well… reading is an exaggeration," I thought with a faint smile as I slid the books onto the shelves. After all, with the Virtual Laboratory storing all the information in my mind, I didn't need to spend hours flipping through pages to learn the content.
Lastly, I picked up the potion Miguel had given me. The shimmering liquid, in hues of blue and gold, swirled inside the vial as if it had a life of its own. I held it up to eye level, admiring it for a moment. "This is the elemental meditation…" I murmured. I carefully placed the vial on the desk next to the bookshelf, arranging it alongside the books.
Finally, my attention turned to the small bathroom attached to the room. I walked over, opened the door, and caught sight of my reflection in the mirror. "My God…" I thought as I took in my appearance.
My blonde hair was disheveled and long, falling over my eyes. Dried bloodstains were still smeared across my face and tangled in my hair. Sweat had left my skin oily, and a short, uneven beard was starting to appear, accompanied by a patchy mustache.
I sighed deeply. "At least I can take care of this now."
I started removing my clothes. First, the boots. They were tight and heavy, and as I freed my feet and stepped barefoot on the floor, a wave of relief washed over me. "That feels good…" I thought. Then, I removed the rest of the dirty clothes and tossed them straight into the disposal bin in the bathroom corner. There was no saving any of it.
Finally, I stepped into the shower. I pressed a button on the wall, and the ancient pipes groaned before a torrent of cold water cascaded over my head. The initial impact made me gasp, but soon the refreshing chill revitalized my tired body. "Ahhh… this is exactly what I needed."
I let the water wash everything away—the blood, the sweat, the grime. I ran my hands through my hair, scrubbing every strand until the remnants of the day disappeared down the drain. I stayed there for several minutes, letting the cold water simply pour down...
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