Chapter 11: Bounding

Chapter 11: Bounding

{Warning, signs of deception detected from the chosen individuals. After scanning, I have confirmed that at your current level, it is advisable not to interact too closely with them.}

{Do you still want to add them as Sub-System-Users?}

Zero's words echoed in Zephyr's mind, stirring a mix of frustration and relief. The system's warning only confirmed his suspicions about his classmates. On the surface, they appeared well-mannered and attentive, their expressions composed and seemingly genuine despite the startling information he had shared. However, beneath their polite facades, there was something off—an undercurrent of dishonesty that made Zephyr's instincts prick.

He forced an awkward smile, masking his inner turmoil. The room around him felt heavier, the air thick with unspoken tension. Zephyr's heightened senses picked up on subtle cues—the faint shifts in their tone, the slight changes in their breathing—as well as an unsettling tension that contradicted their outward calm. His heightened perception, a gift and a curse, allowed him to pick up on these minute details that others would easily miss.

Zephyr weighed his options, considering the potential benefits and risks. Adding them as Sub-System-Users could strengthen their mission, but the deceit lurking within them posed a significant threat. The dilemma gnawed at him, making it difficult to decide whether to trust his instincts or take a calculated risk.

Zephyr's mind drifted to a different perspective. He imagined how other fifteen-year-olds might have reacted to the alarming news: the city was on the brink of an attack by unknown beings. He envisioned a whirlwind of panic, confusion, and fear—an emotional storm that would likely have overtaken most teens in such a dire situation.

Yet, his classmates remained eerily composed, their reactions almost too controlled. This unnerving calmness reminded him of a piece of advice the old gatekeeper had often shared with him. The gatekeeper, with his countless years of wisdom and experience, had always said, "The calmer they appear, the more vigilant you must be."

Zephyr remembered how this advice had guided him through numerous situations in the past, teaching him to question the calm exteriors and to probe deeper into the intentions hidden behind the serene facades. As he contemplated the current situation, the gatekeeper's words resonated with renewed clarity.

The calmness of his classmates, far from being reassuring, was now a red flag—a sign to remain extra cautious and to scrutinize their true motives more closely.

For someone like Conner, whose demeanor was as blank as a fresh sheet of paper, offering no clues to his inner thoughts, and Brian, who seemed to know everything and laid his cards out with unsettling transparency, Zephyr had been particularly cautious with his words and actions. He carefully navigated conversations, wary of being manipulated by their contrasting approaches to deception.

The twins, whose constant disagreements made them an unpredictable duo, posed another layer of complexity. Sam, with his inability to conceal anything, seemed to broadcast his every thought and feeling, making him a paradox of openness and vulnerability. Sydney, who exuded an unsettling humility that starkly contrasted with her striking appearance, raised Zephyr's suspicions. Mirabella's boldness and outspoken nature, paired with Emily's seemingly simple-minded and shy demeanor, only added to the tangled web of personas Zephyr had to navigate.

From the very beginning, Zephyr had maintained a vigilant guard against all of them. He knew well that the true danger often lay hidden beneath the surface, and no one's background or intentions were ever written plainly on their foreheads. Each individual, with their unique traits and behaviors, required a measured approach to avoid falling into any traps they might set.

"Add them," Zephyr instructed firmly, his voice leaving no room for doubt.

Zero's response was laden with hesitation. {Are you sure? Something feels off.} The AI's voice wavered with an unusual mix of uncertainty and concern. {Please reconsider this decision.}

Zephyr, however, was resolute. Without a moment's hesitation, he repeated the command to add his classmates to the system. He sensed Zero's reluctance but chose to disregard the warning. The AI's tone shifted to reluctant acceptance as it complied with the directive.

{Request acknowledged. Proceeding with addition of 8 individuals as Sub-System-Users.}

The system's interface whirred softly, signaling the initiation of the process. {Please stand by while the Sub-Interface is being transmitted to the new users.}

As the data transfer began, a faint hum filled the room, mingling with the palpable tension in the air. Zephyr's mind raced, grappling with the weight of his decision, while Zero's lingering unease echoed in the back of his thoughts.

{New system features successfully unlocked:

Name: Astral Domain (Lvl 1↑)

Name: Location Lock (Lvl 2↑)

Please refer to the status interface for more information.}

As Zephyr listened with measured calmness to Zero's announcements, the atmosphere in the classroom shifted dramatically. The students of Class 3D, who had been following the events with a mix of curiosity and apprehension, now stared ahead in stunned silence. Their eyes widened as the squared blue interface materialized before them.

The interface flickered momentarily, as if assessing each individual's reaction, before settling into place. A line of text slowly appeared on the screen, its stark clarity cutting through the collective shock. The words seemed to pulse gently, drawing the students' attention and heightening their sense of unease.

{You have been invited to bond with the Astral System as a Sub-System-User by Host, Zephyr Sinclair. If you accept this invitation, please say "Accept"; otherwise, say "Reject."}

The message on the screen was met with an immediate eruption of gasps and whispered questions. The room filled with a cacophony of bewildered voices, each student grappling with the sudden and surreal nature of the situation. They exchanged confused glances, their minds racing to comprehend what was happening and how it would affect them.

Amidst the chaos, Emily sat in quiet contemplation, her eyes scanning the message with focused determination. Without hesitation, she spoke out, her voice still small but steady and clear. "Accept."

Her calm decision cut through the noise, drawing the attention of her classmates. Gradually, the other students seemed to snap out of their daze, their murmurs fading as they followed Emily's lead. One by one, they voiced their acceptance of the Astral System's invitation, the collective decision marking a shift in the room's atmosphere.

With the invitations confirmed, Zero seamlessly took over, the interface shifting to a new screen. The AI's voice, now authoritative and informative, began the process of basic introductions and explanations, guiding the students through their new roles and responsibilities within the system. The room, now filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension, prepared itself for the next phase of their unexpected journey.

{Hello Emily, my name is Zero, the AI in charge of running this system. Though I am primarily Zephyr's assistant, I will serve as your guide today, introducing you to the system's functions.}

{The voice commands are as follows:

- Status Interface - View your current status and talents.

- Group Chat - Access the group chat interface for communication with other Sub-System-Users.

- Exchange - Enter the items exchange interface to manage or trade items.

- SOS - Send an immediate distress signal to all system-bound individuals, with those who choose to respond being teleported to approximately 0.5 kilometers from your location.

- Return - Return to the Status Interface.

- Open- Open the system interface.

- Close - Close the system interface.

For any further inquiries, please consult the host.}

As Zero's voice echoed in their ears, the same lines of text appeared on the blue screens visible to all the students. The interface displayed the commands clearly, each option highlighted to ensure comprehension. The students' eyes, wide with a mix of awe and apprehension, traced the text as they absorbed the new information.

The room's atmosphere was thick with anticipation as the students began to familiarize themselves with the commands, their earlier confusion slowly giving way to a focused curiosity about their new roles and the capabilities now at their disposal.

Zephyr observed his classmates as they absorbed the information Zero was presenting. The room was filled with an almost palpable tension as the students processed the gravity of their new reality. The silence that enveloped them was profound, reminiscent of the eerie stillness that might follow a cataclysmic event—a silence so thick it felt as though it could be cut with a knife.

In his mind, Zephyr often imagined the haunting quietude that would have followed the detonation of ancient nuclear weapons, a silence that spoke volumes about the scale of destruction. As he listened to the stillness in the classroom, he sensed a similar weight—a profound, unsettling quiet that made one question their very place in the world.

The spell was finally broken by Brian, who, unable to contain his shock, broke the silence with a hoarse voice that trembled slightly. "Oh God," he exclaimed, his words echoing off the walls, "What kind of technology is this?"

The classroom stirred as Brian's exclamation reverberated through the air, shattering the heavy silence and drawing all eyes to him.

Zephyr remained silent, knowing that no words were necessary. Brian, with his sharp intellect, had already grasped that the system's technology was far beyond anything known to their world. Despite Zero's introduction as an AI, there was an unmistakable aura of otherworldliness about him—a presence that felt as though it emanated from a higher plane of existence.

The technology on their planet had advanced significantly, but it had yet to reach the level of sophistication embodied by the system. The intricate, almost ethereal nature of Zero's presence underscored a gap between their current capabilities and the realm of possibilities now before them.

Choosing not to draw attention to himself, Zephyr quietly gathered his belongings, slipping his bag onto his shoulder with practiced ease. With a few minutes remaining before the end of the break, he intended to make the most of the time. The cafeteria's fine dishes were a tempting opportunity he did not wish to miss.

As he made his way out, Zephyr cast a final glance at his classmates, who were still engrossed in processing the flood of information from Zero. He knew they would join him once they had absorbed the details. For now, he relished the thought of enjoying a moment of respite and a well-deserved meal.