12 Zodiac System

After finishing my rank progression training, Master Savius gave me some useful feedback—things to improve on, ways to sharpen my skills. I nodded along, but my mind was already drifting. I couldn't shake the feeling that something more was waiting for me. As I made my way back to the dorms, a question kept gnawing at me, something I needed to ask Master Zovran before I called it a night.

"Master Zovran," I asked, hesitating for just a second, "does the ZUA system still work here in Asclepius?"

He looked at me with that familiar, knowing gaze. "You're wondering if the system works this far from the Zodiac Universe, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I wanted to know if any of the ZUA System's functions could still be used here."

He studied me for a moment, his expression turning thoughtful. Then, without missing a beat, he asked, "Do you know why I was chosen to be your personal mentor?"

I blinked. "Because I'm the Celestial heir?"

He laughed, a low, amused sound. "That's part of it, sure. But the real reason is that we both share something rare—something unique. We both have dual systems. I knew you had one the moment you awakened your Ophiuchus power."

His words hit me like a shockwave. A part of me had suspected something deeper, but hearing it confirmed was... unsettling. And yet, at the same time, it all made sense.

"I was the one who insisted on becoming your mentor," he continued, eyes gleaming. "The emperor may have dropped some hints, but I had already made up my mind the second you set foot here in Asclepius."

I swallowed, trying to wrap my head around everything. Dual systems... 

"And as for your question," he added, "when I said we share dual systems, didn't you catch on to the implication?"

My chest tightened with realization. "So... I can use the ZUA System?"

Master Zovran nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "Exactly. And judging by the results from your Astral Sync, you're capable of something truly extraordinary—you can awaken all twelve Zodiacs. In the entire history of the universe, only one other person has ever managed that."

The words sent a shiver down my spine. "Who?" I asked, the question slipping out before I could stop it.

"The ruler of the Universe," he said, his voice almost reverent. "A Celestial God—the one who created both the Abyss Realm and the Zodiac Realm. The Zodiac Universe that you know is just one of many realms in his creation."

I stood there, dumbstruck. The archives... I remembered seeing a depiction of a Celestial God in one of the ancient books—a being swirling with both light and dark energy. The name escaped me, but the image was seared into my memory. Then it hit me. That moment when I had hovered between life and death, a figure had appeared, reviving me. Could that being have been... a Celestial?

"Master Zovran," I asked cautiously, "what exactly is a Celestial? One of the elders mentioned that I'm a true Celestial. Is the emperor a Celestial too?"

Zovran shook his head. "The emperor is powerful, yes, but he's not a Celestial—at least, not yet. Becoming a Celestial is... different. It takes more than surviving the Astral Sync trials. There are greater challenges out there, far beyond Asclepius. Trials that test not only your strength but your luck. Progressing to that level requires more than just raw power—you need opportunities, rare chances."

I instinctively touched the spot where my Celestial Mark was hidden, the one I received after my rebirth. Was I really that fortunate? The thought of progressing to become a true Celestial filled me with excitement... and a touch of fear.

When I finally reached my dorm, my mind was still buzzing. I grabbed a quick meal, barely tasting it as I mulled over what Master Zovran had said. Could I really awaken all twelve Zodiacs? There was only one way to find out.

I activated the ZUA System, my heart pounding in my chest. Almost instantly, I felt a surge of energy—a shift, a change within the system itself. I watched as the interface morphed before my eyes.

Detecting Dual System…

Astrology System…

ZUA System…

Preparing System Upgrade…

I stared at the notification in disbelief. A system upgrade? What kind of upgrade?

Minutes passed, the anticipation clawing at me, until finally:

System Upgrade Complete.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the blinking words before me: System Upgrade Complete. The words felt foreign, as if they weren't part of my usual ZUA System, as if something much greater was unfolding. My heart beat with anticipation, a subtle drumming that echoed in my chest. I had been using the ZUA System for as long as I could remember, and now it was no longer the same.

Dual System: Astrology System & 12 Zodiac System.

What did that even mean? Could I really awaken all twelve Zodiacs? I never thought this was possible—not for me. My hands trembled slightly as I navigated through the upgraded interface. It was more streamlined, more efficient. I could feel the power humming beneath the surface, like a dormant storm waiting to be unleashed.

12 Zodiac System:

Star Rank: Junior

Tier: 3

Academy: Celestial Academy

Realm: Zodiac Universe, Ascella, 9th Star Realm

Star Points: 23,067

Weapon: none

Zodiac Affinity: 12 Zodiacs

Abilities: Zodiac Adaptation, Multi Zodiac Affinity, Celestial Resonance

Skills:

Active: Star Energy Absorption, Star Energy Manipulation, Star Pulse, Elemental Fusion (Unlocked!)

Passive: Nemesis Counter (unlocked!)

I read through the description once more, my eyes lingering on the words Zodiac Affinity: 12 Zodiacs.

Master Zovran's words came back to me. "Judging by the result from your Astral Sync, you have the capability to awaken all 12 Zodiacs. In the history of the universe, there is only one person who could achieve that."

I was that person. A mixture of excitement and fear coursed through me, tightening my chest. The weight of this revelation settled over my shoulders, heavier than I expected. Who was this other person Zovran spoke of? The Celestial God who created the Zodiac Universe and the Abyss? And what did it mean for me?

I tapped on the newly upgraded system, feeling my curiosity getting the better of me. A section of new abilities and skills popped up:

Zodiac Adaptation

Switch between the powers of the 12 Zodiacs on the fly. Unique affinity to all 12 Zodiacs allows awakening any skills or abilities tied to each Zodiac constellation.

Multi-Zodiac Affinity

Combine the energies of multiple Zodiacs, amplifying combat potential by blending their abilities.

Celestial Resonance

Enhance the strength of any Zodiac power by tapping into Ophiuchus Celestial Energy. Current ratio 1:1

My breath hitched. I now had access to all the powers of the 12 Zodiacs? Not only that, but I could combine them? The implications were mind-boggling. No one in the universe, no ordinary Zodiac Awakener, had this kind of capability. And to top it off, Celestial Resonance allowed me to amplify any Zodiac power using my Ophiuchus energy. That must be a gift from the Celestial Mark I received during my near-death encounter.

I clenched my fist, feeling the energy surge through me in response. My room, quiet and dimly lit, felt too small for the storm of possibilities swirling inside me.

There was something I needed to test.

Without another thought, I activated one of the abilities.

A soft hum filled the air as the room darkened, shadows pulling toward me as if summoned by an invisible force. I focused on the constellation of Scorpio, pulling its power into me. Cold energy crawled up my spine, sharp and venomous, a dangerous edge to it. My hands flickered with dark tendrils of energy, and I felt the sting of Scorpio's venomous strike at my fingertips.

But I didn't stop there. My instincts kicked in, guiding me. I let go of Scorpio's energy and reached for another—Leo. The sudden heat from Leo's fiery presence burned away the cold sting of Scorpio, replacing it with a warm, ferocious blaze that roared in my chest. My fists burned with golden fire, strength and dominance coursing through my veins.

Yet, as the fire raged, I thought, What if I combined them?

I focused inward, pulling Scorpio's venom back into me, letting it weave together with Leo's fiery energy. The room around me crackled with intensity as the two opposing forces fought for control. But they didn't cancel each other out. Instead, they merged.

My hands flared with a blackened flame, a dangerous fusion of Scorpio's poison and Leo's fire, something wholly new. I could feel its destructive potential pulsing, ready to lash out at any moment.

This is…

Suddenly, my vision blurred. A sharp pain shot through my head, as if my mind was being torn apart. I staggered, losing control of the fused power. It lashed out, scorching the floor and the walls of my dorm room. A burning smell filled the air.

I collapsed to one knee, panting. The energy receded, and the pain dulled, but my body felt drained. I wasn't ready for that. The combination of Zodiac powers was not something to be taken lightly. It required more control, more training.

I sat back against the wall, rubbing my temples. This power was immense, yes, but it was dangerous too. Master Zovran's warning about the trials outside of Asclepius echoed in my mind. If I couldn't control this fusion, I'd be more of a danger to myself and others than any enemy.