A New Competition

Tia barely had time to gasp before the particle of darkness, ensconced in a bubble of red energy, made contact with her skin. A torrent of cold, electric energy surged through her body, rendering her motionless. The red bubble dispersed, and the darkness sank into her as if absorbed by her very soul.

Ding!

//

Compatible power source detected!

//

Beep!

<<<<<<<>>>>>>

<Attention > Absorbing compatible energy

<<<<<<<>>>>>>

Tia's eyes widened, the torrent of pain surging through her, its searing touch igniting every nerve and every cell.

"Ahhh!" Her scream reverberated through the vault.

Power, unbridled and merciless, raged within her. Tia's legs buckled, her strength yielding to the onslaught of energy, the hard metal floor quickly approaching.

However, at the last moment, warmth enveloped her, the pair of red eyes staring into her own. Red-Eye was holding her, stopping her from collapsing.

"The first time is always the worst." The gentle voice resonated in her ears, piercing through the layers of pain. 

Tia's vision quickly darkened.

POV ???:

In the depths of darkness, a figure in a black officer uniform knelt, barely visible and blending with the shadows. His face was concealed by the darkness that was only broken by the small device resting in his hand.

It cast a bright blue light that played along the fine details of his uniform, illuminating the polished silver buttons and intricate designs woven into the fabric.

"Casmodeus 15 is here," he announced, his voice cutting through the silence with cold, crisp clarity.

The device vibrated gently, and a mechanical voice responded—distorted but clear: "Prepare to strike. From our intel, Subject-3 will leave to inspect her territories soon. That will be your chance."

The blue light from the device's screen dissipated, submerging everything back into silence and darkness. In the absolute black, the officer's eyes gleamed with a transient golden light.

'I can't fail.' He stood up, only his mission occupying his mind, as everything else wasn't important.

POV Tia:

Tia opened her eyes, not even a trace of the pain remaining. Instead, she could feel the gentle warmness of the new power coursing through her veins. She lay in stillness for a moment, her gaze fixed on the familiar ceiling of Red's room, while the luxurious comfort of the large bed cradled her.

'Witch system, tell me what happened.'

She chose her words with precision, directing her inquiry to the specific system. Having grown accustomed to the bickering voices that often responded to her summons, she aimed to quell the usual discord before it could commence.

Ding!

//

You have absorbed external ?!# source:

+5 to INT

+3 to all body stats

+25 to MAG

+30 to ENE

+25 to the useless stat

//

Tia's mind, though buried in contemplation, got jolted by an unanticipated realization. 'I guess that useless stat should be WIL.'

Turning to her left in an attempt to find comfort and escape from her string of thoughts, her heart leaped into her throat.

A figure, intimately near, emerged from the darkness. Red, with her dark cascading locks splayed like silky tendrils over the pillow, lay peacefully right by her side, her silent breathing resonating in the night's silence.

'No way...' A wave of heat, akin to a sudden flare, surged through Tia. The proximity and the unintended intimacy of sharing the bed with Red were embarrassing and unsettling, making her slightly squirm.

'She wasn't joking when she said this room was her's...'

Looking at the pale, sleeping face, she couldn't help but meekly smile. 'She looks so calm and peaceful while sleeping.' There wasn't even a trace left of the arrogant and terrifying noble she knew.

Tia nervously turned away from Red, her thoughts running around as she tried not to think about the second presence in the bed.

A silent chuckle escaped her lips, her thoughts now straying in an attempt to distract her from the source of her embarrassment. 'Hehe, systems, maybe you should step up your game as I have another sponsor now!'

Ding!

//

You have become a G-rank superhuman.

Please choose evolution for your vessel:

1. Natural Witch:

Some people are born to be witches.

[Mana Core]: A tiny organ capable of storing extra energy equivalent to 25% of total energy while allowing the user to store up to five magic runes linked to a spell into it for instant casting.

[Magic Intuition]: Increases effects of MAG stat by 10% while improving the ability of the user to comprehend and learn new runes and magic principles.

2. Alchemical Human:

How many generations of potion addicts does it take for a human to adapt? 

[Potion-Resistant Liver]: Increases the amount of potions the user can consume before overdosing by 50%

[Potion-Absorbing Cells]: Improves the positive effects of potions on the user by 25%.

[Potioneer's Insticts]: Allows the user to instinctively feel the mana signatures emitted by potions to identify them and how to improve them.

//

Beep!

<<<<>>>>

<3. > Enlightened Human ->

<Enlightened Mind> -> Increases the effect of INT and WIL by 20%. Gives an extra resistance against mind attacks that scales with WIL and INT stats.

<Telepathy I (0%)> -> Ability to read people's minds or influence thoughts of weak-willed individuals.

<<<<>>>>

<4. > Meta Human ->

<Energized Celluar Regeneration> -> Energy can be used to rapidly heal injuries.

<Evolved Body> -> Increases effects of STR, AGI, END, and VIT by 50%

<Energy Storing Cells> -> Increases the effect of ENE by 15%

<<<<>>>>

'Wait! You really did!'