Reality's Beholder

I found myself in the familiar surroundings, only this time, 'is something wrong with the silver bloodline.' It was pulsing instead of its usual calm state. It was as if it was beckoning for me to resonate with it. But I ignored it; my focus right now was on my seventh star, only if one focuses intently would one realize it still wasn't complete. I would breakthrough first, then figure out what was wrong with the red bloodline.

I sat down crosslegged and began drawing energy from the realm and sending it to the star. It was a pretty engaging task that I lost track of time until a surge of power coursed through my body, even though it wasn't my actual body in the realm, I could feel it as if it was. I opened my eyes to see the star glowing in all its completed glory. That was it, I had reached another threshold in power; it signified that I was moving forward, and all my hard work was worth it. I knew it would take a long time before another breakthrough, but I was even more determined now to surpass my limits.

With a thought, I went back to the material world. The feeling of my body strengthening wasn't an illusion; it was as real as it could get. I clenched my fist, feeling the new raw power my body possessed, and my essence that was being reinforced and the reserves increased. If before I could spam attract about twenty times with my reserves, now I could spam thirty. 'Looks like training is in order'.

But before that, I turned my attention to my bloodline plane, or more precisely to my second bloodline that had had become more frantic after my breakthrough. I moved my astral body towards the silver territory and resonated with it, unlike before, where nothing happened, this time a silver aura shrouded my body. I sent my Consciousness back to the material world and saw that I was still shrouded with the silver aura.

The aura was strengthening my entire being, 'Is this all it does?' I thought. Frankly, it was disappointing; I expected more for all its illusiveness. Well, I could only be so lucky; gravity manipulation on its own is a cheat. Expecting another grand bloodline was wishful thinking.

And why the hell is this room painted green—couldn't they have chosen a different color? I fumed internally, the lingering disappointment of my bloodline evident in every thought. I despised the color green on anything that wasn't Flora. I simply couldn't vibe with it. Besides, aren't hospitals and similar facilities supposed to be white? No sooner had I finished that thought than something occurred that completely upended my perspective: the green room had inexplicably transformed into white.

"The room can change colors?!" I marveled internally, though that awe was swiftly replaced by shock as I felt my essence plummet from a full hundred percent to a mere five in an instant. The silver aura that usually surrounded me evaporated, leaving behind an overwhelming fatigue akin to having just completed Instructor Blake's most grueling reps—only this exhaustion was purely mental. My mind felt weighted and fuzzy, as though I had just undergone a herculean challenge, which, in truth, I had. Even in that dazed state, I could only murmur, "I'll be damned." There was no escaping the fact that the change was due to me—or, more accurately, my bloodline.

"How does it even function? Is it based on my preferences, or perhaps my thoughts?" I pondered. "No biggie—I just have to figure it out, right after I find a reasonable explanation for how the room turned white from green." It was bound to be a colossal pain in the ass, and I was almost certain I couldn't reverse it, considering that merely attempting this had drained ninety-five percent of my essence, which in turn would require roughly two hours to regenerate.

With nothing left to do and utterly exhausted from doing literally nothing, I could only close my eyes and drift back into the realm of unconsciousness.

When I eventually awoke, I couldn't even tell what time it was—until I noticed the same blue-eyed woman in a doctor's coat still present in the room. "Oh, you're awake. I thought your sleep would last longer," she quipped with her characteristic sarcasm. "How long was I out?" I inquired for the second time that day, my mind even questioning, "Wait, is it even the same day?"

"Five hours give or take—it's 2 p.m.," she replied.

"Oh... I see." That brief period out was hardly long, meaning my essence had fully recovered.

"Now, who authorized you to give this room a makeover?" she demanded with a stern tone.

"I apologize—it was an accident," I offered, providing the simplest explanation available. "I'll let it go this time, kid, but next time don't change the paint of a room just because it isn't to your liking," she chided, waving her hand dismissively. Didn't she hear me say it was an accident? But honestly, I didn't care—it worked out for me either way.

"Alright, enough joking. I kind of like the new color—a refreshing change of taste. Oh, and you're free to go; your vitals are all stable." "Thank you," I replied as I stood. I intended to leave immediately, but the infirmary gown was still clinging to my body. "Um... could you step out for a bit? I need to change."

"There's the bathroom," she replied, gesturing toward a door I hadn't noticed before. The facility's bathroom surpassed even the one at my dorm, so I retrieved a sweatshirt and pants from my storage and changed. "The shower can wait until I'm back in my dorm room," I mumbled.

After leaving the bathroom, she grumbled, "You'd better not end up here again, kid; I was pretty free until you showed up."

"Don't worry—I'm not planning on that," I assured her. With that, I departed the room. The infirmary was far larger than I'd imagined, and it took me several minutes to navigate my way out. It turned out it was situated on the third floor of the academic building. I eventually found my way to the portal station. Thankfully, since it was Saturday, there were no other cadets around.

Before long, I arrived at the dorms—and let me tell you, the area was thronged with cadets. It was the first time since orientation that I'd witnessed such a gathering. I had initially planned to head straight to my dorm, but changed my mind due to the relentless hunger clawing at my gut. I hadn't eaten in two weeks, and nutrition solutions never quite filled the void in the stomach.

I made a beeline for the restaurant located just off the mall. It was my first time entering such an establishment—or any restaurant for that matter. The architecture was sleek and inviting; unlike the sterile environment of the cafeteria, this restaurant felt relatable and homey. Even the technology was nature-themed, and the seats were crafted from wood.

No sooner had I taken a seat at an empty table than a short-haired girl—whom I assumed was a waitress—approached. "What would you like to have?" she asked with a professional smile. I mentally recalled that people in the slums had said restaurants were usually manned by bots, so it seemed I shouldn't have trusted the crooks' rumors.

"This is my first time here; may I see the menu?" I requested. "Of course," she said as she handed me a tablet. "When you're done, just tap the summon button and I'll be here in a moment." After she departed, I scrolled through the menu, only to be confronted with the daunting issue of choice. After some deliberation, I eventually settled on a dish labeled "spicy gold lobster." It cost twenty-five points—the lobster being a rank-4 beast, which justified the cost.

I then pressed the summon button on the right side of the table, and as promised, she returned shortly. I indicated my selection, and she inquired, "Would you like anything to accompany that?" "Water would be fine," I responded. "Okay, your dish will be ready shortly," she assured me before leaving again.

While awaiting my meal, I mused over the actual nature of my second bloodline. If it truly operated based on my thoughts or desires, then it might as well be classified as reality warping. Yet, since it had only happened once, I would need to test it further, cautiously, to avoid anything irreversible. I also considered my new role as Aurora's secretary—the attention that would accompany it. I wasn't exactly gearing up for that responsibility, especially with nobles like that victor guy looming around. You know what? If they have an issue with it, they can take it up with Aurora.

Not long after, the waitress returned with my meal. It looked edible, and the aroma emanating from it was enticing—but I would only know after tasting. With the first bite, a burst of flavors exploded in my mouth; the spicy element was most prominent. "Damn, this shit is good—but damn, it's spicy," I thought. I could confidently say it was the most delicious thing I had ever eaten, completely eclipsing every other food I had once called heavenly.

After that sumptuous meal, which filled me to the brim, I headed back to my dorm room—time for a much-needed shower. My dorm room remained just as I had left it, spotless and orderly. I entered the bathroom and enjoyed a bath that was as necessary as it was refreshing. Following the bath, I decided to rest for the remainder of the day. After all, tomorrow promised to be hectic.

A/N:

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#Your gift is the motivation for my creation.

Grace this novel with them powerstones.

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