White: She gave you that drink because she sees you as her brother. OK, JACKASS!
Mike: OK God, fine…
Mike tilted his head back and finished the strange glowing liquid in one go.
The taste burst across his tongue—sweet, sharp, and somehow alive.
A warmth spread down his throat, running like lightning through every vein.
Mike: Wow… it's actually too good and tasty… after that, I want more…
He leaned back on the chair, smiling like an idiot, unaware of the faint golden circuits glowing under his skin.
---
The Next Morning
Mike walked with renewed energy toward Hidori, his steps strong and confident.
Hidori stood with arms folded, watching him closely.
Hidori: So… you completed it, huh.
Mike: Yep, sir. A full thousand pull-ups.
Fruxiya: Good job, Mike. You did better than I expected.
Mike scratched his head and laughed awkwardly.
Mike: Hmm… well, Sis, about that drink you gave me earlier—can I have, uh, more of it?
Fruxiya: Immediately no.
Mike: Why??
Fruxiya: Because that drink isn't for ordinary humans. It's too powerful.
Mike pouted, eyes shining with disappointment.
Mike: But I want more… I swear I'm addicted to it. 😓
Fruxiya's expression softened a little, but her voice stayed strict.
Fruxiya: Not yet, Mike. If you drink even one more this month, you'll be paralyzed. It floods the body with divine energy. Humans can't handle that much.
Mike: Ahhhh! Ughh, o'ok… so I just have to wait, huh?
Fruxiya: Exactly.
Mike: sighs I'm disappointed… it was really good. But fine.
Fruxiya: smiles faintly Thank you for understanding.
Mike crossed his arms.
Mike: So then, what's my new exercise?
Hidori: None.
Mike: What do you mean "none"?
Hidori: You won't be doing physical training anymore.
Mike: Wait, why??
Hidori: Because that phase was to make your body capable. And now… you are.
Mike blinked.
Mike: Capable… for what exactly?
Hidori: For the next stage—Sector Selection Training.
Mike: What's that 😑?
Fruxiya: In simple words—we'll teach you how to use a Sector.
Mike's jaw dropped so fast it almost hit the floor.
Mike: What !!!!!!! You mean those glowing things you all used before?!
Fruxiya: grins Yep. And this time, you'll use your own.
Mike's eyes burned with excitement, half-scared, half-ready.
---
On Flux's Side
Flux sat cross-legged under a silvery sky, the faint hum of power in the air around him.
He stared up at the clouds, tapping his fingers against the ground.
Flux: Ughh… it's already been two days. Only five more to go. I want to know what he's doing right now.
Ixia chuckled softly beside him, her long hair shimmering like liquid moonlight.
Ixia: Hehe, don't worry, dear. He's doing fine.
Flux: But he's my friend, Mom. I want to know.
Ixia reached out and gently patted his head.
Ixia: Ho ho, I know how sensitive you are, Flux. But you need to trust him.
A sudden heavy aura filled the area, and a bright ripple of energy shimmered behind them.
White: Ho ho ho, what's happening here?
Alicia: Nothing 😊
Flux squinted.
Flux: Wow… and why are you here now?
White: Me? Oh, nothing serious. Just here to tell you something… important.
Flux: What is it?
White: I know, I know—you've got five whole days of waiting for the next glyph phase. But there's something you need to understand before that.
Flux: Huh?
---
White's aura flickered, light pulsing unevenly. The air around him seemed to warp, as though something invisible resisted his words.
His usually steady voice trembled.
His right hand twitched.
White: Hmm… OK… listen carefully.
Flux tilted his head, confused.
Flux: Why are you shaking, old man?
White ignored him, breathing heavily.
White: First… when you enter the Tower, don't overthink it. You'll be given three choices. But I can't tell you what they are—because… even I don't know.
Flux's brow furrowed. The creator of the Tower… didn't know what was inside it?
White's body trembled again, sparks of golden lightning crawling along his arms.
Flux (thinking): Bruh… the literal maker of the Tower doesn't know what's inside? That's messed up.
White: I set rules long ago. If I break them—this entire Tower collapses. So remember this: when you're given three choices, choose carefully. Once you decide, your journey through the Craptle Tower begins.
Flux watched silently. For once, his usual cocky grin was gone.
Even Alicia and Ixia exchanged tense looks, the atmosphere heavy and strange.
White continued, voice now hoarse:
White: Second… when you complete your floor quest, you'll gain access to the next level. But when you clear the advanced quest, you'll face another choice—
it will ask: "Connection METADOOR or New Advancer."
White's eyes darkened.
White: Choose New Advancer. It aligns with your destiny.
Flux: And what if I pick Connection METADOOR?
White froze mid-word. His whole body jolted like lightning hit him.
The energy around him cracked; his form flickered.
White (trembling): That… option… binds your life… to Mike's. It gives him the Oath of Return.
Flux clenched his fists.
Flux: That sounds better. If I take it, Mike gets stronger, right?
White: DON'T EVEN TRY IT, BRAT!
His shout shook the ground. The air rippled from sheer force.
Flux stepped back, stunned.
Flux: Why, Vitrona?
The name slipped from his lips before he even realized.
White froze. The world seemed to still for a second.
White: … Alicia?
Ixia blinked, her voice uneasy.
Ixia: Flux… what did that mean? 😅
Flux crossed his arms, a smirk crawling back.
Flux: It means someone who's just like this sheet of paper—blank. Nothing but a white bastard.
White's aura exploded, unstable and furious.
White: HEY, BRAT! I WILL—
Flux: Try it, Vintora. 😤😤
White: UGH YOU LITTLE—!!
Flux glared, his ruby eyes glowing faintly.
Flux: Why should I pick the so-called "safe" option when I can make my best friend stronger?
White steadied himself, voice tight.
White: Because your destinies are different. You're the Ruby Cristela Sector's heir. Mike isn't.
If you choose wrong… both of you die.
Flux froze. The seriousness in White's tone killed the tension instantly.
Flux: Die…? Both of us?
White: Yes.
Flux's jaw tightened.
Flux: Ughh… I really hate this destiny stuff.
Ixia stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around him from behind.
Her warmth softened his tense shoulders.
Ixia: It's OK, Flux… it's your path, your destiny.
Alicia joined, smiling softly.
Alicia: And no matter how rough it gets, you're not alone.
Flux looked down for a moment, then smiled faintly, his eyes glimmering red.
Flux: OK… Mom…
Alicia & Ixia (together): That's our boy. ❤️
The sky above them shimmered faintly—the first sign that the Craptle Tower was awakening.
Somewhere far away, Mike felt a sudden pulse in his chest, unaware that his own fate had just been sealed to Flux's next step.