Chloe and Kaelen sat across from each other, quietly eating breakfast. The morning air was calm… until a translucent window suddenly flickered into Kaelen's view.
[Query: "Training with Chloe"]
[Status: Finished]
[Rewards:
Skill – Tide of Ages Rune (cannot be used by host)
Skill – Space–Time Control Rune
Skill – Upgrade Stone]
A faint smirk tugged at Kaelen's lips. Without letting Chloe notice, he summoned the glowing rune beneath the table and crushed it with his palm.
A surge of foreign power flooded through him, twisting the world for a brief second as both VOWT and the system chimed in:
[Unique Skill Acquired: Space–Time Control]
Kaelen opened a small window only he could see.
[Unique Skill: Space–Time Control]
[Grants slight authority over the flow of space and time. Allows minor control.]
"…So basically the baby version of Space–Time Domi."
He clicked his tongue mentally, unimpressed.
But he still had the Skill Upgrade Stone.
He crushed it.
A chime followed—one that instantly killed his excitement.
[Selecting random skills suitable for upgrade…]
Random? Seriously?
He leaned back with a dead stare.
The system continued:
[Five skills chosen]
[Select one skill to upgrade:
Gale Strike
Battle Instinct
Space–Time Control
Venomous Strike
Dark Mist]
…what is this trash pool?
He deadpanned internally.
The only remotely useful choice was obvious.He selected Space–Time Control.Chloe continued eating, blissfully unaware of the drama unfolding not three feet from her.
Inside Kaelen's mind, VOWT repeated like a broken record:
"Attempting evolution of space-time control to space-time domination… failed.
Retrying… failed.
Retrying… failed."
Over and over.
Until Founder intervened.
" Sacrifice Dark Mist, Battle Instinct, Venomous Strike, Gale Strike, Amphibian Agility to supply the required energy. Attempt to evolve space-time control to fate"
The VOTW responded immediately: Sacrificing skills… Success.....Attempting evolution.........Unique skill fate acquired.
[Unique Skill Acquired: Fate]
The system and the VOTW annouced simultaniously. The moment the window vanished, Kaelen's breath hitched. A burning pain tore through his chest—no, his soul. He clutched at his heart, gasping sharply.
"Kaelen?"
Chloe's chair scraped as she jumped up, alarmed. "Oi—what's wrong!?"
Kaelen forced out a thought.
Founder—what is happening?
"The pain flows from your soul, Master."
Why!?
"Likely the burden of too many high-tier skills. Permission to reorganize and alter your arsenal?"
Another wave of pain hit—blinding, suffocating, crushing.He barely remained conscious as he whispered mentally:
…Permission… granted…
His vision dimmed.He collapsed forward on the table.
"Kaelen!!"—Chloe rushed to him instantly.
A faint glow began seeping from his body as Founder took full control.
Founder:"Commencing synthesis.
Combine: Cardinal Flame, Phoenix Flame, Devourer Flame, Hellfire Dominion, Flame Manipulation, Flame Transformation, Primordial Flame.
Sacrifice: Unique Skill — Infernal Dragonburst."
VOWT: Synthesis successful. Unique Skill : Sovereign of Eternal Flame acquired
Founder continued without pause.
"combine: Frost Transformation, Glacier Formation, Cardinal Ice, Ice Chains, Subzero Talon, Primordial Ice."
VOWT: Unique Skill : Sovereign of Eternal Frost acquired
Kaelen's pain began to fade, breath stabilizing.
But Founder moved to the final set.
"Combine: Spatial Transportation, Teleportation, Space Warping, Space Bend, Dimensional Leap, Space Domination."
VOWT: Unique Skill: Void Walker acquired
The glow surrounding Kaelen slowly dimmed.
Hours Late.
Kaelen's eyes fluttered open. The ceiling came into focus, then the room—he was lying in a bed, dizzy but alive. Chloe sat by the window, watching the outside scenery. When she heard him shift upright, she glanced back.
"Well, well…"
A relieved smile formed. "The sleeping beauty finally decided to wake up."
She moved beside him, placing a gentle hand on his head and ruffling it softly.
"Are you alright now?"
Kaelen nodded. Good enough for her. Chloe stood, reached behind a shelf, and tossed him a sword. He caught it, confused.
"Our time ends here—for now," she said. "I need to start preparing for the future. Consider this your graduation gift. It's durable enough to keep up with you… for the moment."
Kaelen gave her a grateful bow. He had expected this parting. They would meet again—years, centuries, it didn't matter. Their paths would cross. Chloe vanished soon after, and Kaelen went out for a quiet walk.
He wasn't paying attention—his mind was still fogged—and bumped into someone wearing a cloak.
"Aah!"
The figure fell back with a startled yelp. Kaelen immediately offered his hand.
"Im sorry —I wasn't paying attention."
The girl hesitated, then placed her trembling hand in his. As she stood, a gust of wind blew her hood back.
A blonde elf. Fair skin. Bruises. Chains and tattered clothes hidden under her cloak.
Her eyes widened with raw fear.
"I—I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me!"
Kaelen's jaw tightened, but he kept a gentle smile.
"It's alright. I was the one at fault—"
A shrill voice cut him off.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?"
A plump man strutted forward—black suit with gaudy purple trim, curled mustache, monocle, top hat… the kind of face that begged to be punched.
"The wares are NOT to be handled outside the client's home!" he barked. "Put your hood back on!"
He kicked the elf down. She scrambled to obey, trembling.
The man grabbed her chain and began dragging her away. Several cloaked figures and armored knights followed.
Kaelen watched silently. Something cold slid into his expression.His aura—normally calm—twisted, curdling into something sharp and frightening.The air thickened with murderous intent.
As the slaver dragged the terrified elf away—
Kaelen stepped forward.
And vanished from sight.