The obelisk trembled with an unnatural pulse, as if something else was awakening within its core. Zein stepped back, instinctively raising his gravitational energy. Elaine, unmoving, seemed entranced.
—Elaine, get out of there —Zein warned.
But before she could react, an explosion of fire tore through the chamber. A figure emerged from the flames: tall, muscular, wrapped in a living armor of magma and scales.
—So you're the one playing with time… —he said in a deep voice—. The impostor.
Zein recognized that face. Kael Varnak. Elemental combat instructor. And in his time… a traitor of the imperial council.
—What are you doing here, Varnak? This isn't part of the academic plan.
—No. This is part of the true plan.
The ground burned beneath his feet. With a gesture, a Fireball formed over his palm and was hurled directly at Zein. He barely managed to deflect it with an improvised barrier.
—He has control over this artifact? —Elaine whispered.
—No. He is part of it.
Zein narrowed his eyes. Varnak wasn't just an instructor… he was a latent avatar of the obelisk.
—Perfect —Zein growled—. Just what I needed to test this.
Zein focused his energy. The circuit on his chest glowed intensely. His eyes turned silver.
[Skill Acquired: Void Core.]
A new function awakened within him. Something that didn't exist in his timeline. Something only a being "recreated" by the Nexus could use.
Adaptive Absorption.
A dark halo enveloped Zein, forming a spiral around him. At the first contact with Varnak's fire, it didn't disintegrate… it redirected toward his palm.
—What are you…? —Varnak muttered, surprised.
—Stealing what's yours.
[Skill Absorbed: Fireball.][Skill Absorbed: Flames.]
Zein felt the heat coursing through his veins, but it didn't burn him. It strengthened him.
His body, adapted by the Nexus, was compatible with foreign abilities. And not only that… he could improve them.
—My turn —he said, raising both hands.
A Fireball formed… but it wasn't like Varnak's. It was denser, more alive, with black filaments spinning at its core.
Zein hurled it. Upon impact, the explosion was strong enough to break the obelisk's magical barrier.
Varnak roared and counterattacked, cloaking himself in Flames to increase his power. He charged at Zein like a living meteor.
Zein didn't move. Instead of dodging, he absorbed the flames as they came near.
—You are fire. But I am the void that consumes all.
With a sidestep, he twisted his body and channeled the absorbed heat into an empowered strike. His fist crashed into Varnak's torso… and went through it.
The armor cracked. The body fragmented.
The instructor fell to his knees… and crumbled into ashes.
Elaine watched him with a mix of awe and fear.
—What was that?
—Something I shouldn't have. Something that doesn't belong to this world.
—And you used it anyway?
Zein looked at his hands, still vibrating with residual energy.
—I don't have the luxury of choosing weapons. Only choosing purpose.
The obelisk, damaged, began to fade. Not destroyed… relocated. But before disappearing, it projected an image: a map with several glowing points. Other nodes.
—The Nexus… is guiding us.
Back in the dorms, the academy was in chaos. One instructor missing. Unexplained energies. And two students with too many answers… that they couldn't share.
—They're going to investigate us —Elaine said, wiping blood from her jacket.
—Then we need cover. We need allies.
Elaine looked at him, curious.
—Allies… or soldiers?
—Both —Zein replied without hesitation.
—And what am I?
Zein stared at her.
—The first to trust me. And the last I intend to lose.
Elaine lowered her gaze… and smiled.
—Damn it. I'm starting to like you already.
That night, Zein reviewed his skill core.
—Adaptive Absorption… activates with direct contact. Limit: two simultaneous skills without overload.
But there was more. A hidden text emerged in his vision:
[Fusable Skills: Possible. Singularity Level: Unstable.]
Zein swallowed hard.
—Fusion of abilities? That wasn't part of the plan.
The screen flickered. Another line appeared.
[Warning: Each stolen skill alters your essence.]
Varnak's face, and the voices of the obelisk, echoed in his mind.
—As long as I don't forget who I am… I'll be able to control this.
Or so he hoped.