Chapter 2: Brothers in struggle

Valerius Cassian opened his eyes, his heart racing with a mix of exhilaration and triumph. His body felt light, almost weightless, as he floated in a pristine white void. Arms spread wide, he twirled dramatically.

"Ha! Did you see that, Astrid? Champion Valerius, here to save the—"

"Valerius." The sharp, no-nonsense voice cut through his grand proclamation like a sword through butter.

He froze mid-spin. "...Yes?"

Astrid materialized before him, her presence regal and imposing. Her radiant form seemed to glow with an air of efficiency, every movement deliberate. In her hand was a sleek data slate, which she scanned as she spoke. "Congratulations on surviving the trials and unlocking the Ultimate Champion attribute. Your reckless determination, while statistically improbable, has succeeded."

"Thank you, thank you," Valeri interrupted, puffing his chest out and bowing extravagantly. "It's only natural for someone of my talent to—"

"Silence," Astrid interjected, her tone as calm as it was commanding. "The attribute you have unlocked resets your current status—skills, abilities, and stats—entirely."

Valeri didn't even flinch, his mind already racing ahead. "Wait, do I get a crown? Or maybe a cool cape? I feel like champions should definitely have capes."

Astrid pinched the bridge of her nose, though her stoic expression barely wavered. "As I was saying—"

"Or maybe a sword that glows," Valeri continued, his eyes lighting up. "Like a shwoo-shwoo sound every time I swing it. Oh, and what if it could talk? I could call it... 'Whispers.' No! 'Bladesong'! Astrid, you're taking notes, right?"

"I do not 'take notes,' Valerius," she replied, her tone clipped. "And you will not receive a talking sword."

He frowned. "Bummer. Fine, just give me my powers and point me toward the nearest dragon. I'm ready!"

"You are far from ready." She turned the slate toward him, displaying rows of intricate diagrams. "The Ultimate Champion attribute grants unmatched potential, but it requires rebuilding from zero. Additionally, your connection to the system interface has been severed."

"Perfect. I'm unstoppable!" Valeri beamed, fists on his hips.

Astrid sighed, the faintest flicker of frustration in her otherwise impassive gaze. "You are very much stoppable. The attribute will push your adaptability and instincts to their limits. Without access to system guidance, survival will depend entirely on your competence."

"Pfft. Competence is my middle name!"

"You do not have a middle name, Valerius," she replied flatly.

"Not yet, but when I earn my Champion title, I'm adding it. 'Valerius Competence Cassian.' It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

Astrid stared at him for a long moment. "I find it remarkable that you have survived this long."

"It's called natural talent." He winked—completely oblivious to how unflattering it was.

Astrid's glowing figure flickered slightly, as if recalibrating. "Choose your elemental alignment and class, Valerius."

He crossed his arms, squinting as if deliberating. "Hmm... Let's go with Wind. It's fast, it's flashy, and—wait for it—I'll look amazing with my hair blowing dramatically."

Astrid ignored his theatrics. "Element: Wind. Now select your class."

"Warrior," he declared without hesitation, striking a pose. "The valiant Champion Warrior, slicing through the battlefield with... um... Bladesong Two—silent edition."

Astrid's gaze remained fixed, unblinking. "Class confirmed: Warrior." Her voice softened slightly, though it retained its automated precision. "Remember this, Valerius: True champions are defined not by their victories but by their ability to learn from failure. This journey will demand more from you than brute strength or fleeting confidence."

Valeri scratched his head, having heard exactly none of that. "Right, got it. Let's wrap this up—I've got wolves to wrestle and kingdoms to conquer!"

Without waiting for a response, he stepped forward, ready to claim his destiny.

---

The white void dissolved into a vibrant forest scene, the scent of pine and damp earth filling his nostrils. Valeri took in the towering trees and dappled sunlight with wide-eyed wonder.

"Ah, my kingdom awaits!" he declared, thrusting his arms out theatrically.

A rustle in the underbrush caught his attention. He spun around just as a Null Wolf emerged, its dark fur rippling with unnatural energy.

Valeri grinned, dropping into a clumsy fighting stance. "Perfect timing. Let's test out my new—"

The wolf lunged, cutting off his sentence as Valeri yelped and stumbled back, flailing.

"Okay, okay! Let's call this a practice round!"