I did the sensible thing.
I sat down.
I breathed.
And then I opened the system, because ignoring it is how you wake up with another god in your kitchen.
System Interface – Titles
[Title Function: Accessible]
"…Alright," I muttered, glancing at you. "Let's see what personality traits the universe decided to weaponize."
The list unfolded in glowing text.
Title: Multiversal Anomaly
Oh.
That explains… everything.
Passive Effects:
• Immunity to mind manipulation
• Immunity to fate manipulation
• Immunity to causality manipulation
I blinked.
"…So basically," I said slowly, "plot armor in reverse."
The system did not deny this.
Scáthach, who was leaning against the wall like she owned my house (she does, apparently), smiled knowingly.
"A troublesome blessing," she said. "You cannot be nudged."
"That explains the author's attitude," I replied.
Title: Monarch of Shadow
Ah.
The classic.
Passive Effects:
• Shadow manipulation
• Shadow soldier command
• Shadow regeneration
• Domain dominance
Basically Solo Leveling premium edition.
Except—
Scáthach cleared her throat.
"Those effects," she said calmly, "do not apply to me."
I frowned. "Excuse you?"
She smiled wider. "Try."
I did.
Nothing happened.
My shadows froze like they were grounded children.
"…Rude."
"You may disable my interference," she added helpfully, "using Shadow Monarch Authority."
"…That's somehow worse."
Title: Hoarder / Collector
Rosalie leaned over my shoulder.
"Why does that sound like you."
Passive Effects:
• Increased chance to obtain desired objects
• Situational convenience
• Coincidences skew in user's favor
I stared.
"…So reality just helps me shop."
Alice clapped. "That's adorable."
Petunia muttered, "That's terrifying."
Title: Lingerie Enthusiast
Silence.
Pure.
Absolute.
Silence.
I closed my eyes.
"…I didn't choose this."
Passive Effects:
• Increased drop rate of intimate apparel-related items
• Situational embarrassment amplification
Lily burst out laughing.
Rosalie smirked.
Alice looked delighted.
Leah stared at the screen.
"…You're kidding."
"I wish," I said quietly.
Scáthach laughed openly.
"Oh, this system has taste."
I glared. "You are not helping."
Main Quest Reminder (Because Of Course)
The system pulsed again.
[Main Quest – Twilight World]
Objective: Prevent Muggle–Supernatural War
Reward: ???
I sighed.
"We'll deal with you next chapter," I told the quest.
It hovered menacingly.
Life Is… Good? (Suspiciously)
And that's the weird part.
Life started going well.
Like—too well.
Mornings
Workouts.
Running through the woods.
Shadow-enhanced resistance training.
Leah occasionally joining, pretending she wasn't keeping pace easily.
She never talked much during training.
But she stayed.
School
Classes passed without drama.
Whispers had faded.
Teachers liked me.
Edward stopped brooding as much (somehow).
Alice kept stealing my pen.
Rosalie kept stealing my attention.
Evenings
Movies.
Games.
TV shows from worlds that didn't exist here.
Lily critiqued plots mercilessly.
Petunia took notes.
Leah pretended not to care but always watched.
Scáthach?
She watched me.
Like a predator evaluating prey that fought back.
Leah and Scáthach: The Unexpected Duo
This part surprised me.
Leah and Scáthach… worked.
Leah respected strength.
Scáthach embodied it.
They sparred verbally.
They argued philosophy.
They bonded over trauma neither would admit to.
Leah once asked, "Are you a god?"
Scáthach replied, "No."
Pause.
"Worse," she added.
Leah nodded. "Figures."
Night Training (a.k.a. Death Camp)
Then came nights.
Combat training.
In my personal dimension.
Which—minor issue—
Scáthach could access without my permission.
The first time, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
She simply appeared behind me.
"You left your guard open," she said.
"I was alone," I protested.
"You were unprepared," she corrected.
Worse?
Inside the dimension—
She could nullify my shadow powers.
Completely.
No summons.
No manipulation.
No cheats.
Just me.
And her.
She beat me.
Repeatedly.
With a spear.
With a blade.
With bare hands.
Every loss was precise. Educational. Humiliating.
"Again," she'd say.
Leah watched sometimes.
Silent. Focused.
I bled. I healed. I learned.
Finally, exhausted, I activated it.
Shadow Monarch Authority.
The shadows surged back.
Scáthach paused.
Smiled.
"Good," she said. "Now we begin."
I collapsed.
"…I hate you."
She laughed.
"You will thank me when gods stop underestimating you."
I glanced at you.
"Life," I said, panting, "is going surprisingly well."
The universe, ominously, did not argue.
[Chapter Twenty-Six Complete.]