2 - The Grand Temple
A week had passed since the morning of his 15th birthday. On that day, he felt a strange sensation wash over him. It was like a veil had been lifted, and suddenly, he could remember everything about his past life on Earth.
He had locked himself in his bedroom, feeling overwhelmed by the flood of memories. He remembered his childhood, his struggles, and his dreams of becoming a writer. He remembered his family, his friends, and the people he had loved and lost.
But he also remembered Amara, the guide who had brought him to this new world. He remembered the world she had described to him, the world he had created in his novel. And he remembered the name she had given him in this new life: Rook.
Rook. It was a strange name, one he had never heard before. But as he got out of bed and looked at himself in the mirror, he felt a sense of familiarity. He was taller now, leaner, with darker hair and sharp features. He looked nothing like Marcus, but somehow, he knew that he was the same person.
As he got dressed and headed downstairs, he could feel the eyes of his family on him. They had always looked at him with suspicion, as if they were waiting for him to do something wrong. But today, as he walked into the dining room, they looked at him with something else: fear.
"Good morning, Rook," his father said, his voice laced with uncertainty.
Lord Aric Luminar is a stern and conservative man who values tradition and status above all else. He comes from a long line of Luminars who have held power and influence for generations. He was raised to believe that the family's reputation is of utmost importance, and that his children's actions reflect on the entire family.
"Morning," Rook replied, taking a seat at the table.
His siblings looked at him warily, as if they were waiting for him to cause a scene. But Rook just sat there, sipping his tea and feeling a sense of detachment. He remembered this world, the one he had created in his novel. He remembered the expectations placed on him as a member of a noble family, the pressure to conform and obey.
His bratty sister's name is Lysandra Luminar, and she is known for her intelligence and wit. She is well-educated and has a keen interest in politics and diplomacy. Lysandra is also an accomplished musician, playing the harp and singing beautifully. His younger brother Caspian, is known for his athleticism and adventurous spirit. An excellent swordsman and horse rider, and he enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, hunting and exploring new territories. And most likely to be the new Lord, considering that he rumoured to be the most trashiest in the Luminar bloodline.
"Father, may I go to Family Library"
"… "
"… "
"… "
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Several weeks have passed.
[The Grand Temple was a magnificent structure that rose high into the sky, its walls adorned with intricate carvings and statues of long-dead gods. The air was thick with the scent of burning incense, and the sound of chanting priests echoed throughout the halls.]
Rook stood in the center of the temple, surrounded by other noble young men and women who were also waiting for their Systems to be revealed. He took in the grandeur of the temple, but his mind was elsewhere, lost in thought.
[The coming of age ceremony in this world was a grand event. It was a time when young people eagerly awaited the revelation of their Systems, the abilities that would shape their entire lives. The lucky few would receive powerful and rare Systems, while the rest would be left with weak and mundane ones.]
He knew this all too well. After all, he had written about this fantasy world filled with Systems. Filled with legends and heroes that were recorded in the annals of time. He had always dreamed about being in a world where powers were commonplace, but now he was filled with a sense of dread.
As he was called forward, he approached the System Stone, a white orb that glowed with an otherworldly light. The pure and holy cascade was ironic, considering how they were procured.
System Stones are mined from deep within the earth by slaves who work tirelessly to extract them. These slaves are often prisoners or those deemed expendable by society, and their lives are harsh and brutal. They toil in the mines day after day, their bodies broken and their spirits shattered.
Once the System Stones are extracted, they are sent to specialized factories where they undergo a complex and secretive process to imbue them with the power of the Systems. Only a select few have access to this process, and those who do guard the secret fiercely.
Despite the danger and hardship involved in their production, System Stones are highly sought after by those seeking power and status. Black markets have emerged where these stones can be bought and sold, often at exorbitant prices. However, the quality of these stones is often suspect, and their use is strictly illegal. The younger you awaken the System, the higher chance of gaining a strong system.
The production of System Stones is tightly controlled by the ruling elite, who use them to maintain their power and dominance. Those who are fortunate enough to receive powerful Systems are often from wealthy and influential families, while those relegated to the lower rungs of society are forced to naturally awaken their Systems.
Like the original protagonist.
As he placed his hands on the bleached orb, a Heads-Up Display (HUD) appeared before him, displaying his System: the Thread System.
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[Thread System]
Name: Rook Luminar
Level: 1
Experience: 0/100
-Thread Manipulation: 1 (Allows the user to create and control threads with precision and finesse. Can be used for a variety of purposes, including weaving, sewing, and binding.)
-Thread Sense: 1 (Grants the user heightened senses, allowing them to sense the presence of threads and their properties. Can be used for tracking, scouting, and detection.)
-Thread Weave: 1 (Allows the user to weave threads together to create complex patterns and shapes. Can be used for art, decoration, and disguise.)
-Thread Bind: 1 (Allows the user to bind objects or creatures with threads. The strength of the bind depends on the user's level and the thickness of the thread.)
-Thread Cut: 1 (Allows the user to cut through threads with precision. Can be used for escape, sabotage, and defense.)
Note: As the user levels up, new abilities and enhancements may become available for the Thread System.
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Rook froze in fear, his heart pounding in his chest. The Thread System was the weakest and most mundane of all Systems. It was a rare ability that allowed him to create and control threads, but it paled in comparison to the other Systems he had written about.
The priest overseeing the ceremony approached him and asked, "What System have you been granted?"
Rook hesitated, still in shock, before answering in a quiet voice, "The ability to create and control threads."
The priest looked at him with a mix of pity and curiosity before moving on to the next person. Rook was left alone with his thoughts, his mind racing with what this meant for his future.
He looked around the temple, taking in the sights and sounds of the world he had created. He saw people with all manner of Systems, from those who could control fire or water, to those who could summon powerful creatures or use powerful magic.
Rook knew he had to make the most of this second chance at life. He may have been reincarnated into this world as an forgettable extra, but he still had the memories and experiences of his past life. He knew the stories and plots of this world, and he knew the dangers that lay ahead.
With the Thread System, he may not be able to take on the strongest foes or create the most powerful spells, but he could use his knowledge and creativity to weave intricate threads and manipulate them in unique ways. And who knows, maybe there was more to his System than met the eye.
He may have been reincarnated into this world as Rook, but he was also still him, the writer who had created it all. And with that knowledge, he knew that anything was possible.
