Destiny Structuring

[ The 'Destiny Structuring Kingdom' ability has been stimulated… ]

"Did it actually work?!" Chrome grew elated upon hearing the cold mechanical voice in his head, unable to contain his surprise!

Although he only did it fast due to his excitement, Chrome did give the instruction paper a read. Aside from affirming the bad news the pill had fewer chances of achieving its purpose when used by those possessing low Exos ratings, it also mentioned that one of the first signs of a successful awakening was hearing a voice that appeared to come out of nowhere!

Putting down the half-full cup, Chrome picked up the paper, rereading it again to make sure that he wasn't just hallucinating from anticipation.

__________________________

'Awakening Pill Guide' by Mystery Inc.

- Usage: Has to be swallowed alongside drinking water to be effective.

- Used for: Special ability awakening.

- How it works: Provides a mild Exos shock wave to stimulate dormant special abilities.

- Expected range of effect (As observed):

+90E Emission rate -> 99% awakening success probability.

+80~70E Emission rate -> 78% awakening success probability.

+60~50E Emission rate -> 66% awakening success probability.

+40~30E Emission rate -> 43% awakening success probability.

+20~10E Emission rate -> 12% awakening success probability.

- Possible outcomes that can be used to identify success:

= Receiving a mental message (possibly incomprehensible).

= The immediate emergence of a superpower.

...

__________________________

'This should be a success, right…?'

Confirming the paper's content, Chrome almost jumped up out of happiness as he felt a strange shiver in his stomach. He had practically struck the jackpot!

"I did it! I successfully awakened with barely over a tenth of a chance! I wonder what my special ability would turn out to be…"

However, just as he started planning the time to head to the closest Ability Assessment Center to check out what he got, the strange soothing shiver in Chrome's stomach disappeared.

[ The stimulation is far below the required level, The 'Destiny Structuring Kingdom' is regressing to its dormant state… ]

"What?" Chrome screamed in confusion, unsure of what to make of what he just heard!

'Is this some sort of joke?!'

Chrome collapsed to the ground as he processed what just happened, was this distorted reality really this cruel?

It wouldn't have been that bad if he was simply left to his lonely misery from the very beginning, forced to live an even more normal life limited to very few people in this reality. However, he just had to be given all the hope in the world just before having it all taken away from him once more!

He had barely taken the resolve to break out from his ordinary shell that followed him in both realities, ready to embrace the life of an Extraordinary just as both Chromes had wished to, only for his mental state to take such a great blow!

'Was I brought into this broken reality just to suffer some more in my alter's place, do I really have to struggle even in my dream?!'

Yet, just as Chrome was about to give in to despair as all the unpleasant memories his alter accumulated started to fill his mind, feelings overcoming him to the point he forgot this was just an alter reality that he would wake up from soon enough… A faint blue colored light started radiating from his chest!

"Eh?!"

Being brought back to his senses by the light that grew brighter by the second, Chrome hurriedly took off his shirt in search of its source!

"This is…?"

Unlike all kinds of wild thoughts that jumped into his mind, Chrome was surprised to find a key-shaped blob of light, one that was surprisingly linked to his neck by a thin necklace. His confusion only lasted for a second as another nostalgic memory popped up in his mind. He felt great warmth just by recalling it despite it being foggy…

<This will be my little gift to you, it will protect you in my place…>

Subconsciously grabbing the shining key, Chrome was suddenly given a jolt as the unknown mechanical voice invaded his mind once more.

[ A special Access Key has been detected. ]

[ Recognition of the Access Key's relevant Gate is in process… ]

'Hmmm…'

Chrome could only stare at the token as it gradually disappeared, unsure if this was the reversal he had been waiting for or just another fake hope that would shower him with disappointment soon. Thankfully, the mechanical voice quickly solved his doubt!

[ The Access Key has been confirmed to match the Self Reliance Palace's Gate. Would you like to proceed with the unlocking? ]

'Errr, is it talking to me…?'

Chrome awkwardly pointed at himself upon being presented with the voice's question, there was no further instruction detailing how to deal with the follow-up of an awakening. In the end, he could only give it a try since there was nothing to lose anyway.

'Yes.'

[ Unlocking authorized… Unlocking in process… ]

[ Congratulations, You have managed to open the Self Reliance Palace's Gate! Would you like to enter? ]

'... Yes?'

Chrome hesitated once more before deciding to just go with the flow after making sure to suppress his anticipation. He simply couldn't afford to have more high expectations only to be slapped by reality soon after…

[ Command acknowledged… Processing Palace Master's entry… ]

"Huh?" Chrome exclaimed as the world around him suddenly went completely black!

Fortunately, the surrounding darkness didn't last for long as the scenery went through another change. Before he knew it, Chrome found himself in something similar to medieval throne rooms, completely confused about the details of his trip to this place.

'Did I just get teleported out of the house…? Could it be that I actually awakened some sort of automated teleport superpower?!'

Going with the first thought that sparked up in his mind, Chrome came to a barely logical conclusion, prompting him to close his eyes and focus on his desire…

'Go back home. Teleport home. Move back. Send me back… It's not working, isn't it?'

Chrome opened his eyes to find that he didn't even move an inch. Only… a scroll abruptly jumped up from the desk on the far corner of the throne room, magically flying towards him as a silver quill followed suit!

'I didn't ask for that… I think?'

Directly stopping in front of his face, the rolled-up scroll unfurled itself. The silver quill quickly started doing its job, filling up the empty sheet by autonomously composing a few lines by combining different kinds of incomprehensible signs.

'?'

Strangely enough, the weird signs turned distorted a second later before suddenly turning into logical words made using the English alphabet. Something that Chrome could finally comprehend

[ Departure ahead of the first Entry Tutorial's completion isn't allowed. Command denied. ]

[ Accessing the database to match the current Palace Master's language… Adjustment complete. ]

"So… Now that I'm here, we can talk through this scroll?" Chrome reflexively blurted out his thoughts after taking a wild guess.

[ Affirmative. ]

Seeing the floating quill respond to his words, Chrome affirmed that he was currently having a conversation with the mechanical voice from earlier!

"Then, can you tell me if this place is supposed to be my special ability?"

[ Negative. The Palace Master's special characteristic is the entirety of the Destiny Structuring Kingdom, this is only one of the branch palaces within, the Self Reliance Palace. ]

Listening, or rather, reading the talkative quill's explanation, Chrome's lips didn't stop moving as if suddenly granted a drink after weeks of thirst.

"So my special ability is to transfer myself into this unknown space and possibly other locations in this 'Kingdom'? What is this Entry Tutorial about?

[ Negative. This is just a part of it, every branch palace situated around the Grand Destiny Palace has its respective purpose. The collective perks that they provide are the true functions of the Palace Master's ability. ]

[ The Entry Tutorial precisely entails the conversation that we are engaging in now, getting to know more about your ability. The Palace Master is also required to receive the introductory reward for unlocking this specific branch palace. ]

"Reward?" Hearing this specific word, the kindle of hope that Chrome had been suppressing let up once again. Perhaps… he would receive something to help him with his defective condition?

[ Affirmative. One beginner Self Reliance Chest is currently pending withdrawal. Would you like to claim it? ]

"Yes, please?"

[ Command accepted, withdrawing the beginner chest from the treasury… ]

Coinciding with the floating quill's answer, an ancient brown chest gradually materialized in front of the throne situated at the center of the room!

"Oh!"

Intrigued by the mechanics of his ability, Chrome took fast steps towards the chest, subconsciously looking forward to its contents.

Upon touching the chest's upper lid, it directly sprang open under Chrome's gaze, allowing him to take a peek inside that only deepened his confusion.

'Another scroll… a red metallic box… and some sort of a fruit?'

"Care to explain what these items might be…?"

[ Affirmative… ]