Both parents froze, their expressions transforming into a blend of shock and incredulity.
"What??" Laksha exclaimed, leaning forward slightly
.
"What!!" Subrao echoed, his brow furrowed as he struggled to process the information.
"Come again, Neel," Subrao said slowly, still processing the numbers. "Did I hear that correctly?"
"I mean exactly what I said," Neel confirmed, his gaze steady. "Thirty percent to fifty-five percent. The necklace, the crystal embedded in it… it all contributed to this increase. The stone itself seems to have amplified the Primary Cosmic Force Cultivation Technique."
Subrao leaned back slightly, running a hand through his hair, a mixture of astonishment and analytical thought crossing his features. "Are you certain, Son? You have checked every notification?"
"I have, Dad," Neel replied earnestly. "Every panel notification confirms it. And this… this crystal stone in the necklace—it acted as a catalyst."
Laksha exhaled slowly, collecting herself. "That explains it. But then… what about us?" she asked quietly. "Our cultivation yesterday… did we experience any similar increase?"
Neel glanced at his parents, noticing subtle changes in their expression—curiosity mingled with a sense of cautious excitement.
"Yes," Subrao finally said, his voice deliberate. "We began at ten percent Cosmic Force. After cultivating alongside you, we observed our levels rise to thirty-five percent. It's substantial, but nowhere near your increase, likely due to the unique properties of the stone embedded in your necklace."
Neel leaned forward, examining the fragments in his palm once again. "This crystal came from a comet, didn't it? I remember the story you told me when you gave me the necklace—it was refined from a small comet fragment."
Laksha nodded. "Yes, the central stone was carefully refined from the comet before being embedded into the necklace. That refinement process stabilized the energy signature, making it compatible with human cosmic force absorption. Without that refinement, it may not have integrated with your energy so efficiently."
The conversation paused as all three absorbed the implications. The shattered necklace was not merely a sentimental gift; it had become an instrument of immense power, accelerating Neel's cultivation beyond conventional limits.
Subrao rose from his chair, a determined glint in his eyes. "We cannot waste this discovery. There are two remaining necklaces of the same origin stored in the family safe. If the results are consistent, we can further verify the properties of these stones and determine their optimal use."
Laksha agreed, and together they retrieved the safe's key. The metal locker opened with a faint hiss, revealing two pristine necklaces, each containing a central comet stone similar to the one Neel had worn. Carefully, Subrao handed one to Laksha while keeping the other for himself.
They began their cultivation immediately, following the same techniques that had yielded results the previous night. Minutes passed with focused meditation, each heartbeat syncing with the energy pulses of the comet stones. After an half-hour continuous cultivating the technique, the results were clear: both parents' Cosmic Force levels had increased from thirty-five percent to fifty percent.
A wave of exhilaration ran through the room, tempered only by the gravity of their responsibilities.
Subrao held up his newly augmented necklace, examining the way the comet stone seemed to pulse with renewed life. "The refinement from the comet is remarkable. Its energy integration is far beyond what we imagined. This is not merely a tool—it is a conduit. A perfect medium to amplify cosmic force safely."
Neel nodded, his eyes reflecting the morning sunlight filtering through the windows. "Then we must be cautious. The power is extraordinary, but it could be dangerous if misused or exposed to the wrong hands. We need to ensure that any distribution of these stones is controlled."
Subrao considered this, then reached for his communicator. "Agreed. First, we must inform the Alliance about our findings—but only after confirming that a sufficient stock exists. I will contact my circle."
Throughout the day, Subrao coordinated with trusted contacts, using secure channels.
By the evening, he had secured ten additional asteroid necklaces and five rings with similar properties. Furthermore, their stock of small comet stones reached twenty pieces, each meticulously cataloged for study and safe storage.
Neel, watching the flurry of activity, hesitated. "Dad… should I inform my friends about this? Bella and Zade might benefit from knowing the potential of the stones and the technique."
Subrao paused, considering the question. After several thoughtful seconds, he finally nodded. "Yes, you may share the information—but only with Bella and Zade. Under no circumstances should this knowledge extend beyond your families and them until tomorrow. The cosmic system activation is delicate, and uncontrolled dissemination could cause chaos."
With his father's permission, Neel retreated to his room, summoning the combined holographic interface that allowed a simultaneous call with both friends.
The image flickered to life: Bella's curious, bright face appeared on the left, Zade's grinning countenance on the right.
Neel retreated to his room and activated the combined holographic interface. The three-way projection flickered to life—Bella's bright, curious face appeared on the left, Zade's mischievous grin on the right, their surroundings faintly illuminated by the morning sun streaming through their windows.
Bella was the first to speak, her tone teasing. "Neel! Birthday boy! Happy fifteenth! Did you get at least one chocolate cake before yesterday's sunrise, or did you meditate through it all?"
Neel smirked. "I ate home baked cake and pastries prepared by my mom yesterday but the rest of the time went for meditation."
Zade laughed loudly, throwing his head back. "Typical Neel. Only you would meditate instead of partying. We were thinking of sneaking over with confetti and a water balloon ambush. Guess that's out of the question?"
"Maybe next year," Neel replied, trying not to laugh. "But knowing your aim, I'd be soaked head to toe."
Bella feigned disappointment. "You always ruin the fun. Fifteen only comes once, and you're spending it like some monk from the mountains!"
Neel shrugged, a playful glint in his eye. "It's all part of training. You two should try it sometime; Cosmic Force doesn't cultivate itself."
Zade raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? You've been hiding powers from us this whole time, haven't you? You've been acting normal just to mess with us?"
"I've been patient," Neel replied, smiling faintly. "Very patient. But yes, there's something important I need to tell you both… it's about the system, and well… something special happened with the necklace. But listen carefully, because this is only for your ears. The stone in my birthday necklace—it's refined from a comet. Yesterday, after cultivation, my Cosmic Force jumped from thirty to fifty-five percent in just eight hours. That stone isn't just decoration—it amplified my cultivation."
Zade's grin widened. "Wait… so you're saying the reason you've been acting all Zen and calm lately is because of… comet magic?"
Bella gasped dramatically. "Comet magic? Neel! You've been hiding comet magic from us?"
"Not magic," Neel corrected, trying to keep a serious tone under their teasing. "It's energy. Cosmic Force. And it only works if you cultivate properly. That's why I wanted to tell you—this is powerful, but dangerous if handled carelessly. You both need to understand it before seeing it."
Bella leaned closer to the hologram, her eyes narrowing in focus. "We understand. Totally. We're the responsible ones here."
Zade snorted. "Yeah, right. Responsible. Just don't make us swear on chocolate bars or something."
Neel shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, enough joking. The main thing—this is a secret. For now, only you two and our families know. Do not tell anyone else until tomorrow. It could cause chaos if everyone knows before the awakening."
Bella nodded, her expression suddenly serious. "Got it. Cross my heart. And you better believe me, Zade."
Zade mock saluted. "Roger that. No leaks. No accidents. Only cosmic force and careful planning."
Neel allowed himself a brief smile, the warmth of friendship easing the weight of responsibility. "Good. Tomorrow, when the full awakening window opens, we'll see what can be done with this energy. For now, focus on preparation: training, awareness, and control. That's what will determine our success."
Bella leaned back, her expression softening. "Neel, I'm… actually excited. It feels like we're part of something bigger than ourselves. Like destiny, or cosmic fate, or… something really epic."
Zade nodded, trying to look serious but failing slightly. "Yeah, epic. But also terrifying. I mean, you're telling us comet stones can boost cosmic energy? That's insane. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole 'system' thing."
Neel's eyes gleamed with determination. "It's insane, yes. But we have to treat it with respect. If we rush or misuse the stones, the results could be… catastrophic. That's why only careful, calculated cultivation works."
Bella's voice softened again. "Okay, we'll follow your lead. Just… don't let anything happen to you either, Neel. Not now, not tomorrow."
"I won't," he said firmly, his gaze flicking toward the shattered white crystals from his necklace on his desk. "And neither of you will. We have to be cautious. Every move counts."
The holographic interface flickered gently as they lingered on each other's faces for a moment.
Then, Neel ended the call, leaving a quiet stillness in the room. He looked at the shards of his necklace again, the comet stone fragments pulsing faintly, and felt a mixture of awe, anticipation, and a profound sense of responsibility.