"Seems like she doesn't have anything to do with the system," Neo sighed, making a mental note as he watched them land within an impressive courtyard. Richard fed Peck a treat before sending her off. "You can head inside. I'll be back." He pointed to the astonishing building just a few meters away before flying off.
For Helen, the sight of her grandfather flying wasn't new, but the mansion itself left her stunned. She had never wanted for anything, but she'd never lived in luxury either—somehow, her grandfather had owned this all along. Watching Neo gawk at the sight of Richard soaring away, she spoke up, gently tugging him toward the mansion. "Don't worry about it so much. You've awakened your relic. Once you become a high-ranked Ascendant, it'll be as simple as breathing."
Neo followed, careful not to stumble as they approached the grand building.
"Welcome, sir, and Lady Helen, welcome home. I am the house caretaker. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I have long hoped to meet you." An elderly woman bowed respectfully.
Helen stepped forward with a smile, helping the woman up. "I'm sorry, but… do I know you?"
The caretaker gave a subtle, sidelong glance toward Neo—which he didn't miss—before replying, "Ahem, we can discuss that after you've rested. Please, come in."
Neo watched silently. "Seems like they have their own secrets."
He followed them inside, stepping into a modest yet richly historic hall. Paintings and portraits hung from the tall walls. They moved through a side door into a hallway wide enough for five people to walk abreast, eventually stopping at a door.
"Sir, this will be your room. It has been prepared for your arrival." The caretaker bowed slightly before turning to Helen with a smile. "Lady Helen, please come with me."
Still enchanted by her surroundings, Helen nodded and followed.
"Wow," Neo muttered to himself. "I'm really in a new world…."
Stepping into his room, he found it modest but spacious—a study table, a large bed, plenty of room to move. "Not bad… Not bad at all."
Finally alone, he sat on the bed and let himself fall back with a long exhale. "Ahhh… finally, a little rest."
"Status," he whispered.
Name: Neo Ilyad
Rank: Awakened (Acolyte)
Titles: Creator
Awakened Element: Fire (10%)
Creator Relic: Pandora's Forge
Bonded Relics: World-Split Blade, Space Key
Bloodline: The Creator's Bloodline
Bloodline Abilities: True-Sight, Creator's Physique, Transcendence
Souls Collected: 1
"Pandora…" Neo called out.
The relic spirit was bouncing playfully on the bed. "What does the pervy creator want?"
Neo noted. "Okay… moment of truth." Ignoring the nickname, he pointed toward the system interface, which glowed at the edge of his vision. "Tell me, can you see this?"
Pandora squinted at the empty air. "See what? There's nothing there." She flew to the spot Neo indicated checking properly. "Are you messing with me?" She looked at him with playful fury.
Neo let out a quiet breath of relief. "Whew… so she has nothing to do with the system."
"Alright, alright," he said, turning to the fuming spirit with a placating smile. "Let's talk about something else. Pandora, is there anything I should know about you? As my relic, I mean."
Pandora lounged on the bed, replying with practiced pride, "Pandora is the Overlord Creation Relic."
"Say something 'useful', you little weasel," Neo gritted out.
"But what Pandora said is' useful…" She paused, clearly enjoying his frustration before continuing. "The truth is, I don't know. Ever since I awakened with you, my memories are all gone. I can't remember anything."
Neo facepalmed. 'Of course.' "Hah…" breathing out loudly, he thought to himself. 'That confirms it. Even in a new world, my luck hasn't changed."
He didn't need to ask twice. Through their bond—a blurry but present connection, like hearing his own thoughts—he could sense her honesty.
His mind turned back to the system. It had updated after he'd entered Pandora's Forge space. The phrases 'System integrating with Pandora's Forge' and its ability to explain each subspace came to mind. He'd been cut off earlier when he tried to ask about operating the forge. Better to step into the forge space before discussing anything further—he couldn't risk being overheard.
"System, summon Pandora's Forge."
The cube materialized mid-air. Pandora suddenly perked up. "Ah! I was going to ask… how are you able to summon me if you haven't absorbed any spiritual energy into your soul space? It's almost like something is using the spiritual energy in the surroundings to substitute for your own. How are you doing that?"
Seeing her scrutinizing gaze inches from his face, Neo quickly touched the cube and slipped into the Forge space.
"Ah—what the hell?!" He took a step back. Pandora was still right in front of him, staring.
"How does running away from me, 'into my own dimension' make any sense?" She sighed, a disappointed look crossing her tiny features. "Tsk tsk… Pervy and dumb. Pandora must have used up all her luck for two lifetimes."
"Who are you calling dumb, you weasel?!"
"Pandora is no weasel! Pandora is the Overlord Creation Relic!"
"You're the one who doesn't remember anything, and you're calling *me* dumb?"
"Pandora doesn't remember, but she is still the Overlord Creation Relic!"
'This little…' Gritting his teeth, Neo strode further into the golden forge space.
"System, tell me about the Forge."
(The Forge is a subspace within Pandora's dimension that allows the Creator to repair, craft, and upgrade relics using the Forge Altar. This requires the necessary materials, sufficient energy, and knowledge of the desired relic.)
"Interesting. So how do I use the Forge Altar? Where do I get materials? How do I even know 'what' materials I need?" Neo fired off the questions, ignoring Pandora, who had now settled contentedly on his head.
(The system's understanding of the Forge is limited following integration. The Creator is advised to begin absorbing spiritual energy to enable deeper system analysis and functionality.)
Neo stared at the glowing text, then at the tiny, smug figure on his head.
"Ah, I remember now," Pandora said suddenly.
"Remember what?" Neo's interest was instantly piqued.
"My physical form—the cube—acts as a space anchor to access the Forge space. Using spiritual energy in the surrounding to sustain that anchor means… to any Ascendant's spiritual senses, my physical form will appear as an area devoid of energy. It might even attract their attention."
(Yes, Creator. The system assisted in awakening your relic by utilizing spiritual energy around the host and currently sustains basic functions—such as summoning relics. However, this method is inefficient and restricts the system's advanced capabilities. To fully utilize the Forge and the system, you must cultivate your own spirit core.)
"So what Pandora said was true?"
Neo was shocked by the revelation
The response was affirmative—Pandora's words were valid.
"Interesting. So I really do need to start cultivating," he thought. "Thank you, Pandora. Can you remember anything else?"
"Nope."
Neo's eye twitched. He took a calming breath. "How did you suddenly remember this?"
"I dunno. Someone said it to me once, I think…"
The vague answer was unsatisfying, but expecting more would only set him up for disappointment. He was about to turn his focus back to the system when Pandora spoke up again.
"You have visitors."
"Who is it?" He couldn't see outside the Forge dimension.
"Old man. No—two old men now."
Neo blinked in confusion but sent himself out of the subspace.
He found himself back in his room. Richard stood there, and beside him was another elderly man with dark hair and a neatly groomed dark beard, dressed in elegant black robes.
"Hello, Sir Richard… Uh, hello, sir?" Neo offered a questioning look to the stranger.
The man smiled warmly. "Hello, young man. I am Lyer Greenwood—although most know me as Principal Greenwood. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Neo shook the offered hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, too. I'm Neo Ilyad."
"Neo, I've heard incredible things about you. But first, let me confirm them with my own eyes." Greenwood withdrew a crystalline orb from his sleeve. "Please... place your hand here."
Neo glanced at Richard, who gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod. Neo placed his palm on the orb.
Immediately, it began to glow with a soft, steady golden light.
"What in the—? This is not what you described, Richard." Greenwood's voice was filled with fascination, his eyes wide as he looked from the orb to Richard, who seemed momentarily at a loss for words. "A… a God Rank Relic? This is amazing, but this...." Shelving his words for the moment.
Greenwood laughed heartily. "Ha! When was the last time we saw potential like this?" He put away the first orb and retrieved another—this one swirled with slowly shifting colors. "Now, let's see your elemental talent. I heard you have an affinity for every element."
Neo placed his hand on the second orb. This time, the swirling colors slowed, then settled into a stable, glowing red.
Greenwood looked puzzled. "What's happening here? Did the appraisal orb break? Tasher, you said he had an affinity for 'all' the elements, right?"
Richard's expression was unreadable. "You might not believe it, but when I first met him, he didn't have a Fire affinity. I'd have felt the elemental particles around his body."
"Intriguing! Then, coming into contact with a primary element must have awakened his Fire affinity. If that's the case, then—" Greenwood waved his hand, and a mass of darkness—pure darkness element particles—coalesced in the air near Neo. "Don't worry, boy, it won't hurt you. Just keep your hand on the orb. I need to test a theory."
Neo did as instructed, his eyes fixed warily on the dark element that blanketed the room. Slowly, a new color began to emerge within the orb—a deep, void-like black—right beside the steady red glow.
Greenwood's theory was confirmed. The boy could develop multiple elemental affinities by coming in contact with the primary elemental particle.
"One more thing," Neo thought. He had enough secrets. Revealing one more might not hurt, but he needed to be sure. 'System, can we use the same ambient-energy method to summon the World-Split Blade?'
(Yes, Creator.)
"Uh.. sir's," he said aloud, drawing both men's attention. "I think… I awakened two relics."
He wasn't going to neglect combat ability just because he was called a "Creator." Ever since he heard about the destroyers from the hardened veteran Vaughn, his predecessor. The path was clear: he couldn't just live to repair or create relics. Reputation sometimes wasn't a strong enough shield. He needed to learn to protect himself. He needed power—absolute, undeniable power—to back up his title.
Space twisted in the air beside him. Then, with a silent, weightless presence, the pitch-black katana—the World-Split Blade—materialized, hovering at his side.
Greenwood's eyes went wide. Richard's brows shot up too at the sight.