Percy and Angelica, engulfed in an inescapable situation, exchanged a look filled with stark realization—this was now their reality. The air around them hung thick with disbelief and mounting tension.
"How did we even end up here?" Percy muttered bitterly, his voice saturated with frustration far surpassing Angelica's own. He was typically the embodiment of caution, reserving his trust solely for those he considered close. This uncharacteristic lapse in judgment, especially one that placed Angelica directly in harm's way, gnawed at him mercilessly. "I should've known better," he whispered harshly, his words heavy with self-condemnation.
Time itself seemed to distort, stretching agonizingly as the oppressive force surrounding them intensified. Percy could feel his body gradually acclimating, a testament to the rigorous physical training instilled by his ever-present companion, Beta. A sudden thought surged through his mind—'Beta.' Almost immediately, the familiar yet invisible interface flickered into existence before him.
{Hello Master. How can I assist you?} Beta inquired promptly, the digital precision of its voice strangely comforting amidst the chaos.
Despite the gravity of their predicament, Percy felt an unexpected surge of gratitude toward Beta. He wanted to express relief—perhaps a laugh, even a gesture of appreciation—but the severity of their current situation left no room for levity. "Thank you for responding," he began steadily. "We've been deceived by this Amanda woman and trapped within this building. She's manipulating the four elemental regions to converge upon us."
Beta swiftly scanned the environment, processing the information with calculated precision. {It appears the elemental regions are responding to a gravitational pull emanating from the circle imprisoning you and Angelica,} Beta concluded matter-of-factly. Percy, despite his precarious position, marveled at the system's rapid analytical capabilities, impressed it had deduced so much mere seconds after activation.
With Beta's involvement, a faint yet crucial glimmer of hope emerged. Percy's reliance on the system was not merely a matter of physical conditioning—it represented a strategic alliance precisely suited to such critical moments. Armed with Beta's analysis, they now stood a chance to navigate the labyrinthine chaos closing in on them.
"So, this circle is drawing the elements toward us. I didn't realize spatial magic could behave like this," Percy remarked thoughtfully, curiosity battling concern as he pieced the puzzle together.
Beta responded calmly, its tone measured and analytical. {Indeed. The overwhelming pressure you both feel primarily results from spatial magic rather than the elemental forces. In fact, these four elemental regions alone lack the inherent capacity to exert such immense pressure.}
After a brief pause, Beta added with clinical finality, {Given that spatial and gravitational magics are essentially intertwined, the logical conclusion is straightforward: the only viable means to counter spatial magic is with spatial magic itself.}
Percy's heart sank as the gravity of their predicament truly dawned upon him. "But I haven't even awakened my innate element yet," he muttered bitterly, frustration seeping into his voice. "And even if I had, how am I supposed to contend against someone with... what, thirty years of experience? I'm just seventeen!"
Beta fell uncharacteristically silent, prompting Percy to press further, his voice now tinged with anxiety and irritation. "Beta, seriously, what exactly can I do?" Still receiving no immediate response, Percy's irritation grew. "What can you do?" he repeated with an edge of anger.
The silence stretched unbearably, feeding Percy's growing distress. He couldn't help but question the system's hesitation, an uneasy feeling clawing at his heart. (Normally Beta jumps at the chance to help me—why is it holding back now, when we need it most?)
After what felt like an eternity, Beta finally broke its silence, speaking in a calm, measured tone that caught Percy completely off-guard. {Master, you don't require my assistance this time. You already possess all the skills and talent necessary to overcome this situation.}
Percy stared blankly, momentarily stunned. "What?!" he blurted out incredulously. "What do you mean I already have what I need?" he demanded, confusion racing through his mind as he struggled to grasp Beta's meaning.
{Shall I demonstrate what I mean?" Beta proposed coolly. "Words alone are often inadequate. Allow me to present tangible data and evidence—much more convincing in making you realize what you've overlooked.} Without waiting for Percy's approval, another translucent screen materialized before him.
Yet Percy's focus abruptly shifted as the spatial magic intensified around him, its constricting pressure suffocating. His heart hammered fiercely, anxiety spiking. Frantically, he called out, voice taut with desperation, "Angelica! Angelica, where are you?!"
His gaze darted through the dim expanse, the looming elemental forces pressing ever closer. Then he glimpsed upward, and his heart froze. There, suspended high above in Amanda's unrelenting grasp, hung Angelica, her luminous amber hair cascading lifelessly, stark against the darkness surrounding her.
Fear and worry instantly ignited into searing rage. Percy strained against the invisible restraints, feeling his body protest painfully with every effort. He knew the danger of defying such overwhelming spatial power—the human frame too fragile to withstand such forces. Yet his fury eclipsed caution.
"LET HER GO! GIVE HER BACK TO ME!" he roared, each word resonating with raw emotion and determination, his voice reverberating through the vast, oppressive space.
Amanda regarded him with a cruelly amused expression, her mocking laughter ringing out as she sneered from above. "You can barely manage yourself, yet you're giving me orders now?" she taunted scornfully, her figure gradually fading into the shadows, leaving behind nothing but the haunting echo of her laughter.
As Percy watched Amanda's form dissolve into shadows, an unfamiliar emotion stirred within him, rising from the depths of his being. His thoughts scattered, fragmented by anxiety, as a distant memory clawed its way to the surface—a recollection from eight years prior, echoing with the same helplessness and despair he now felt. Cold sweat drenched his shirt, limbs trembling beneath the crushing weight of fear. "This is fear," he realized bitterly, "just like back then."
His thoughts spiraled chaotically. "Even now, I still can't do anything," he lamented internally, exhaustion and dread pushing him to the brink of consciousness. Despite the Omega system's assurances on his birthday, doubt gnawed relentlessly at his confidence. His eyelids grew heavier, the oppressive weight of fear dragging him towards darkness.
{MASTER!} Beta's urgent digital voice sliced through Percy's clouded mind, pulling him back from the abyss. Startled into alertness, Percy blinked rapidly, regaining his grip on reality. The loud notification was jarring yet vital, a necessary anchor amidst his inner turmoil.
Relief flooded him, gratitude evident in his quiet murmur, "Thanks, Beta." In moments like these, Beta's presence was more than comforting—it was indispensable. Another screen appeared before him, Beta's concise response glowing reassuringly, {Anytime.}
Percy's gaze shifted to the new screen Beta presented, revealing a column filled with fresh data.
His eyes narrowed as he rapidly scanned the critical information now displayed before him:
{Infinite Omega System...
~Name: Percy Atlas Magus,
~Bloodline: Human
~Potential: Level 4 [Body Grade: A+, ??, ??]
~Abilities: Eternal Lucky Charm, Life/Death Benefits, Absolute Immunity, Mergence, Blessing of Mana (NEW) [For further information click on ability]
~Element: Space (NEW)
~Stamina: 39
~Strength: 40
~Intelligence: 16 (+3)
~Mana: 20 (10 + 10)}
Percy's eyes widened in disbelief as he absorbed the startling information on the screen: He had awakened his innate element—the Space element—a rarity occurring only once in every hundred thousand people. "When did I...?" he muttered, his voice trailing off as recent memories rushed back. An incident from earlier that night flashed vividly—the strange moment during dinner. It clicked suddenly. "So that's what she meant!" Percy realized, recalling Amanda's cryptic words: "You do not know the power you wield." At the time, he'd dismissed her comment as mockery, not recognizing the deeper significance.
"When did I develop short-term memory loss?" Percy mumbled, lost in thought until Beta's voice interjected, "I think I know the answer, Master!" The system quickly elaborated, "Your innate element manifested when your emotions peaked, causing objects around you to react uncontrollably. This intense emotional state disrupted your rational thinking—a recurring issue for you."
Percy took a moment to digest Beta's words before suspicion arose. "Wait... are you implying I'm hysterical?" he asked incredulously. Beta paused briefly, then replied matter-of-factly, "To sum it up... yes."
Percy's retort was interrupted by a sharp burning sensation at his feet. Twisting around, he saw flames licking at the edges of the circle. "When did it—?" he began, but then a dampness soaked his arms. Whipping his head around again, he saw the other elements closing dangerously close. Another notification from Beta flashed sarcastically, "You also tend to get distracted easily when you're hysterical."
Struggling between annoyance, pain, and newfound realization, Percy demanded desperately, "Beta, what do I do now?!"
The system responded with infuriating indifference, "Even if you tried something now, it's too late."
"WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S TOO LA—" Percy stopped mid-yell, noticing the burning and damp sensations had vanished abruptly. The elements receded to their regions, the crushing pressure lifting from his body.
As Percy stood up, bewildered, he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. Startled, he spun around to see Amanda and Angelica standing behind him—Amanda visibly annoyed, Angelica flashing him a reassuring smile. Reading Angelica's silent warning, Percy braced himself for whatever came next.
Before Percy could fully grasp Angelica's silent warning, Amanda erupted in fury. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT, YOU STUPID KID?!" she shouted, her voice echoing harshly through the space. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? HOW SLOW ARE YOU THAT YOU COULDN'T EVEN UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION AFTER AN ENTIRE HOUR?"
Percy braced himself, her fierce words echoing the very doubts he'd already been wrestling with internally. "I mean, I deal with kids all the time," Amanda continued, her voice dripping with frustration. "And when they tell me what landed them in my clinic, I usually say they're dumb. But you... YOU!" She faltered momentarily, unable to find words potent enough to fully express her disbelief.
Percy stood silent, absorbing her anger, a complex mix of confusion and grim realization washing over him. Despite Amanda's harshness, her words ignited a stark clarity within him.
Amanda exhaled sharply, still fuming. "CRAP, NOW YOU'VE INFECTED ME WITH YOUR SLOWNESS. NO WONDER THEY CALL YOU THE KID WHO FELL FROM GRACE AROUND HERE!" She paused briefly, attempting to gather her composure. "All those rumors about you being smart and calculating? I was impressed. But now, seeing you like this..." She trailed off, shaking her head as she scanned Percy from head to toe with evident disappointment.
"Just rumors, I suppose. How utterly disappointing." Amanda shot him a final, exasperated glance before turning sharply to leave.
Percy and Angelica remained frozen, speechless in Amanda's wake. Percy, typically quick-witted and defensive, found no rebuttal this time. Deep down, he felt the painful sting of truth in her critique.
Sensing his internal struggle, Angelica avoided meeting his eyes, aware of the storm raging within him. Gently but firmly, she reached out, taking his hand and offering a reassuring squeeze. "Come on, let's go," she whispered softly, pulling Percy out of his daze.
Percy managed a faint, weary smile and nodded, the burden of their ordeal heavy on his shoulders. Their journey back home was cloaked in thoughtful silence, mirroring Percy's turbulent introspection.
Once inside, Percy silently retreated to his room, locking the door behind him. Angelica watched him disappear, her heart aching with concern. Normally, Percy found ways to bounce back quickly, but she knew tonight was different. She could almost hear his internal critique, harsh and relentless. Recognizing his need for solitude, Angelica quietly retreated to her own room, her thoughts lingering heavily on Percy as she prepared for sleep.
Percy sat alone, trapped in a relentless spiral of self-reproach and regret. "How could I have missed it?" he whispered, replaying the day's events repeatedly in his mind. The solution had been painfully obvious, yet he had overlooked it. A bitter smile formed as he imagined his younger self mocking his current blindness. "Even I would have seen it, Percy," the phantom voice teased cruelly.
He buried his head in his hands, the crushing weight of perceived failure pressing down upon him. "I should have known better," he muttered, caught in an endless cycle of blame and frustration. Ironically, the solution had been simple, yet his habitual overthinking had clouded his judgment.
The room felt increasingly suffocating, the walls inching closer, each poster and shelf a stark reminder of simpler times when success felt within reach. "I'm such a loser," Percy murmured bitterly, the words harsh and bitter on his tongue. He replayed each scenario, every missed opportunity taunting him with relentless clarity.
Though he recognized these harsh judgments were self-inflicted, they felt undeniably real in the solitude of his room. Alone with his thoughts, the echoes of failure resonated, shaping a cruel narrative he felt powerless to escape.
As Percy lay beneath the covers, the soft fabric provided little solace against the harsh tide of his thoughts. "I'm such a failure," he whispered into the oppressive darkness, his voice muffled by the layers of cloth. Each mistake replayed in his mind like a haunting refrain, each one magnifying his perceived inadequacies. Closing his eyes, he sought the escape of sleep, but his restless mind refused him peace.
Just as sleep finally began to overtake him, the sharp buzz of his phone shattered the fragile silence. Startled, Percy reached out, fumbling in the dimness to grasp the glowing screen. Squinting against the sudden brightness, he saw a message from Angelica: "You're not a disappointment! Everyone makes mistakes." The simple, heartfelt words cut through his self-doubt. Another text quickly followed, "It's what you choose to do tomorrow that makes the difference!"
Percy lay motionless, the weight of Angelica's reassurance slowly sinking in. Her messages were lifelines thrown into the stormy sea of his thoughts, reminders that tomorrow promised redemption and a fresh start. Gradually, determination replaced his self-criticism; perhaps he wasn't defined solely by his past errors.
Gripping his phone tightly, Percy swiftly typed a response, his fingers steadier now: "Thanks, Angel☺." Brief yet sincere, it captured his genuine gratitude for the comfort she had offered.
Angelica, holding her own phone in the quiet of her room, smiled softly as Percy's reply appeared. Relief washed over her, knowing her words had reached him in his moment of darkness. His brief but meaningful response was confirmation of their deep connection and mutual support.
In their separate rooms, Percy and Angelica found solace in this silent exchange, their words transcending the digital barrier between them. The messages represented encouragement, understanding, and the profound bond they shared. Peace settled over them as they drifted toward sleep, each reassured by the other's presence, even in absence.
With a newfound spark of resolve, Percy whispered into the darkness, "Beta." Immediately, a familiar blue screen illuminated the room, greeting him with its calm, digital voice, "Yes, Master."
Percy's eyes were firm with newfound clarity. The earlier turmoil receded, replaced by purpose. "What's next?" he asked decisively, his voice carrying a quiet strength.
Beta responded, its tone carrying digital excitement, "Now we train your mana, so next time you'll be the one looking down on them." The statement was not merely instructional but empowering, promising control and triumph over future challenges.
"Excellent," Percy replied enthusiastically, the heaviness lifting from his voice as anticipation replaced his earlier doubts.
As Beta's screen softly faded away, Percy nestled into the comforting embrace of darkness. His thoughts, once chaotic, now brimmed with potential. Sleep gently claimed him, the anticipation of a new beginning tomorrow lulling him into a peaceful slumber.