Chapter 46 - Vision of the Future (Revised)
While Ophelia remained engrossed in her work on the Radiant Oracle Stone, an air of intensity filled the surroundings.
In a notable sequence of events, Mira and Kai descended from the second floor, each holding enigmatic objects that radiated an undeniable sense of intrigue.
Engaged in their task of cleaning the rooms, their path led them to the unused room. Within this room, a sense of anticipation hung in the air, only to be met with an unexpected discovery – an array of perplexing objects. Notably, these objects were conspicuously absent from the other rooms, leading them to surmise that Luke may have inadvertently left them there.
What they held in their hands were delicate crystals emitting an unmistakable mystic aura. Faced with the enigma of their discovery, they decided to bring these objects to Luke, hoping for clarity amidst the uncertainty that surrounded them.
"Hey, big brother," Kai's young voice carried a mix of excitement and confusion, "we found these funny crystals in the room no one uses. What do you think they are?" His head tilted to the side as he looked up at Luke, his expression a portrait of innocent curiosity.
Luke's gaze shifted to the pair of youngsters, their small hands carefully cradling the mysterious objects. With one object per hand, their eyes held a blend of wonder and puzzlement, as if these artifacts had suddenly woven a thread of intrigue into their young lives.
In Mira's grasp was an intricate crystalline orb, its delicate structure capturing the light in a mesmerizing dance. Next to it lay a triangular glass prism, its edges catching the faintest glimmers as if it held secrets within.
Meanwhile, Kai held a mirror-like tablet that seemed to mirror the night sky, stars and constellations glistening on its surface. Beside it, a semi-transparent sphere held an ethereal quality, as if constellations were suspended within its depths.
Luke's astonishment was palpable as he took in the beauty of these objects, their allure captivating his senses. These items look unfamiliar, leaving him perplexed about their origin and their presence in the unused room.
Driven by his curiosity, he activated his skill, scan, hoping to glean insights into the nature and purpose of these enigmatic artifacts.
[ SCAN ]
[ Arcane Core Processor —without hierarchy or bounds, it unifies disparate elements, enabling them to function in perfect synergy. Within its luminous core lies the key to unlocking the wondrous potential of mystical fusion, a pivotal element in the art of seamlessly blending enchantment and innovation ]
[ Celestial Renderium —weaves the tapestry of ethereal images. Its radiance is a dance of otherworldly hues, crafting visions that resonate with the divine. ]
[ Omniqwise Prism Lv.1 — Its glow holds secrets from distant realms and whispers of uncharted knowledge.
*At this Level, its interface baffles, and cross-dimensional links intermittently distort. Constant mystical energy is essential, limiting it to magic-infused sites.* ]
[ Interdimensional Tutorium Lv.1 — weaves realms with wisps of enlightenment. Within its luminance resides uncharted knowledge, entwined with mystical visuals.
*At this Level, its interface baffles, and cross-dimensional links intermittently distort. Constant mystical energy is essential, limiting it to magic-infused sites.* ]
A jolt of astonishment coursed through Luke as he encountered the objects' names, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"What? Aren't these the parts of my computers?" he exclaimed, taken aback by the unexpected parallels between these ancient artifacts and modern technology.
The revelations left him in a state of shock, his thoughts racing as he considered the implications. "Could the system have left these for me?" he wondered aloud, his mind racing to piece together the puzzle of their purpose.
With a blend of curiosity and urgency, Luke sought answers from the system, but his inquiries were met with a resounding silence. He couldn't shake the feeling that the system's silence was intentional, perhaps holding clues that were meant to be uncovered in due time.
As uncertainty lingered, Luke found himself at the crossroads of discovery, caught in the elusive intentions of the very system that had guided him thus far.
"Wait a minute," Luke's thoughts came to a halt as a seemingly absurd idea sprouted in his mind. "Could I possibly customize a computer using these items?" The notion struck him suddenly and forcefully, leaving him momentarily lost in contemplation.
Recollections surfaced of the system's prior warnings, reminding him that he couldn't transport computers beyond the boundaries of the internet cafe. This recollection fueled his questioning spirit.
"But what if I were to create my very own computer? Could it operate beyond these confines?" The idea was daring, its potential implications thrilling.
As the thought settled, an involuntary shiver ran down Luke's spine. Yet, the prospect that kindled his excitement wasn't centered on circumventing the constraints of the internet cafe. Rather, it was the anticipation of crafting something entirely new.
The unexplored territory of assembling a computer from these mystical components beckoned him. The idea resonated with his innate desire to venture beyond the known and immerse himself in the exhilaration of innovation.
Yet, an obstacle loomed in Luke's path – the limitation of these artifacts. A requirement for ample energy to function optimally raised concerns in his mind. He pondered whether using them outside of an energy-rich environment might result in lag and diminished performance.
Despite this potential setback, the idea continued to beckon to him. The allure of crafting his own computer sparked a fire within him.
•••
In a separate thread of events, Ophelia remained absorbed in her interaction with the Radiant Oracle Stone. Her attention was singularly focused on deciphering the methods of its operation. The stone held an enigmatic allure, its secrets tantalizingly out of reach.
Driven by her thirst for knowledge, Ophelia sought to unlock its latent potential.
As whispered legends implied, this artifact was said to be wielded by magicians possessing dark attributes. In a twist of fate, Ophelia found herself fortunate to belong to this very category, her innate connection with the dark attribute granting her access to the stone's mysteries.
This is also the reason why the two robed figures from the Holy Nation had chased her before, their motivations clear as they sought to apprehend her due to her affiliation with dark magic.
This reality also illuminated the Luminaire Kingdom's perspective—a kingdom that chose not to discriminate against witches.
However, even within this accepting kingdom, the looming shadow of the Holy Nation's influence remained potent, urging witches to persist in concealment, wary of the ever-watchful gaze that pervaded the lands.
For Ophelia, a stroke of fortune lay in her lineage. She was the daughter of the king himself, an undeniable connection that offered her a haven of compassion amidst the Holy Nation's pervasive dominance. The king's unwavering support stood as a testament to his love and acceptance, defying the Holy Nation's reach.
Moreover, fate seemed to play an unexpected hand in her favor. The very individuals who had once doggedly pursued her had chosen to kill themselves instead of choosing to be interrogated, showing their loyalty to the holy nation. They were the only ones from the holy nation who knew of her identity.
This fortunate twist allowed Ophelia's identity as a witch to remain shrouded, safeguarded by both her father's protection and the cloak of history. This newfound obscurity granted her the freedom to navigate her existence without the constant threat of pursuit, a privilege she held dear in a world colored by the shadows of the Holy Nation's influence.
Ophelia also found solace in the fact that Luke held no prejudice against practitioners of dark magic. It brought her a sense of contentment to know that he didn't harbor negative perceptions towards those like her, perhaps indicating a lack of judgment on his part.
Returning to the present, she focused her intent on infusing the crystalline orb with her own magic, saturated with the essence of her dark attributes. Initially, the orb remained unchanged, unaffected by her efforts.
However, as she continued to channel her magic into it, an unexpected transformation began to unfold – a development that would soon leave her utterly astonished.
Within the crystalline orb, an image materialized. However, a cloud of blurriness obscured its details, leaving Ophelia unable to fully comprehend the scene that was unfolding before her. Despite the lack of clarity, the image exhibited a mesmerizing quality, with motion that seemed to mimic reality itself.
Intrigued by this enigmatic vision, Ophelia's curiosity intensified. She considered the possibility that this could be a glimpse into the future.
Driven by the prospect of unraveling the mysteries that lay ahead, she persisted in channeling her magical energy into the orb. The effort demanded a significant expenditure of her power, nearly draining her in the process.
Eventually, the veil of blurriness lifted, revealing a clear and vivid image that began to move with a life of its own. A surge of excitement coursed through Ophelia as she beheld this sight.
The sensation of witnessing the future firsthand filled her with happiness and wonder, as she found herself on the brink of comprehending something beyond the confines of her current reality.
Yet, the unfolding vision took a jarring turn that sent shockwaves through Ophelia's senses. Before her eyes materialized a scene of devastation and chaos, painting a grim tableau of destruction.
In the vision, a young child appeared, wildly out of control, ruthlessly attacking helpless civilians. Buildings crumbled in the wake of their rampage, and the toll of casualties mounted with each passing moment. A wave of horror washed over Ophelia as she witnessed this horrifying spectacle of violence and tragedy.
What sent shivers down her spine was the disconcerting sight of the suspect's physical transformation. His eyes glowed a menacing shade of red, his muscles bulged with an uncanny strength, and the presence of beast-like ears and a tail revealed his affiliation with the beastfolk race.
However, what sent a chill of dread through her was the realization that despite his inhuman appearance, he was undeniably a child. The incongruity between his fearsome demeanor and his youth struck Ophelia with a mixture of terror and unease, leaving her grappling with the disturbing implications of the vision she had uncovered.
A gasp escaped Ophelia's lips as the scene unfolded before her. Her hand instinctively clutched her chest, a physical response to the overwhelming horror of witnessing the child's relentless onslaught. With a heavy heart, she observed as buildings crumbled under the child's destructive fury and innocent lives were cut short by his reckless actions.
Amidst the chaos, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of knights and mages arriving on the scene, their efforts aimed at reigning in the catastrophic turmoil. However, even their combined might struggle to bring the child under control. His movements were a blur, his speed and agility allowing him to elude their every attempt to apprehend him. The initial challenge of capturing the child gradually transformed into a relentless pursuit, a desperate bid to restrain his uncontrollable power.
As Ophelia continued to bear witness to the harrowing events unfolding in the vision, she found herself grappling not only with the immediate tragedy but also with the deeper mysteries and implications that this glimpse into the future held.
A somber culmination awaited in the vision as the combined efforts of knights and mages ultimately triumphed over the child's uncontrollable rampage. The scene reached its chilling conclusion when a knight, driven to desperate measures, delivered a fatal blow that pierced the child's heart, bringing an end to his destructive spree.
However, an unsettling twist followed. Despite the mortal wound, the child remained standing, his form unyielding. His eyes reverted to their original state, and the once-glowing ears and tail lost their radiance. As the shroud of transformation dissipated, Ophelia's heart sank.
In stark horror, she recognized the familiar visage of the child. The shock of realization turned her pale as she stared at the face that had been etched in her memory. The vision had taken her on a heart-wrenching journey, revealing the unthinkable truth – the child responsible for the devastation was none other than Kai.
A solitary tear escaped Kai's eyes in the moment before they closed, forever sealing his fate.
Ophelia was left trembling in the aftermath, confronted with the unbearable weight of the future she had glimpsed, one filled with sorrow, loss, and a profound sense of tragedy.