The city streets glowed with the residual hum of belief. Nova had grown accustomed to the subtle tremor of faith flowing through him, the hum of the Divine Spark in his veins, and the weight of eyes—both human and supernatural—watching from shadows. Today, however, the sensation was sharper, more insistent, as if the city itself was warning him.
He walked along a quieter avenue, sparks flickering across his fingertips almost unconsciously, a pulse of light tracing his movements. Social media was still ablaze with clips of his previous feats; hashtags labeled him "Savior of Downtown" and "The Glowing Man." Witnesses had multiplied, indirect believers now forming a network feeding his power. But beneath the hum of affirmation, Nova felt a presence—calculated, observing, assessing.
[System Alert] Rival Candidate Approaching
Threat Level: High
Distance: 300 meters
Recommendation: Extreme Caution
Nova's pulse quickened. He could feel the deliberate weight of intent in the air—a rival candidate, someone chosen like him, hiding behind a mask of civility yet radiating controlled power. Every instinct screamed that today would test him like never before.
From the corner of a nearby intersection, a figure emerged. Human-shaped, dressed in dark urban clothing, but the faint shimmer of power flickered around them, visible only to those attuned. Sparks of residual energy, subtle and deliberate, traced the outline of their form. Nova raised a hand; the rival mirrored the motion, a silent challenge.
Without a word, the confrontation began. The rival moved first, a precise strike aimed not at him directly but at a nearby streetlight, causing it to topple toward a group of civilians. Nova's reaction was immediate, a barrier of sparks erupting in front of the falling metal. The streetlight struck the shield with a thunderous clang, sparks leaping across the asphalt.
[System Notification] Minor Authority Activated: Sparks Barrier
Belief Points: +3 (Witnessed Miracle)
Power: 6.8%
Minor Ability: Sparks Shaping Level 7
The rival smiled faintly, observing Nova's reaction. They were testing him, probing his limits, seeing how he responded under pressure. Nova felt a flicker of frustration—this was more than combat. It was strategy, manipulation, psychological warfare.
He launched a counterattack, shaping sparks into piercing projectiles aimed at the rival. The projectiles arced through the street, slicing the air with a hiss. The rival dodged effortlessly, fluid and precise, demonstrating skill and control. The civilians froze, smartphones recording, unaware that every second fed the Divine Spark coursing through Nova.
[System Notification] Belief Points +5 (Direct Witnesses)
Power: 7.2%
Minor Authority: Sparks Shaping Level 7
The rival shifted tactics. With a subtle gesture, energy waves pulsed outward, knocking debris and trash across the street. Civilians screamed, and panic rippled through the crowd. Nova had to act, not just to defend himself but to protect them. Each life saved, each miracle witnessed, amplified his strength.
He formed a sphere of concentrated sparks around the largest cluster of people, the light illuminating the street in a dazzling glow. The rival's eyes flickered with curiosity, assessing, measuring. Nova's mind raced—strategy was now as important as power. He had to anticipate not just attacks but the psychological manipulation of the rival. Every panic, every awe-filled witness, was a vector of power. He needed to use it.
[System Notification] Crowd Saved: 12/12
Belief Points: +8
Power: 7.9%
Minor Authority: Sparks Shaping Level 8
Rival Observed: Active
The rival surged forward, engaging directly. Sparks clashed, a dance of light and energy, filling the narrow streets with a symphony of arcs and crackles. Each strike was countered, each movement measured. Nova realized he was not simply fighting a physical opponent; he was fighting someone attuned to divine energy, capable of matching his instinct and speed.
[System Notification] Rival Candidate Engaged: Level Unknown
Threat Level: High
Recommendation: Caution
Minutes passed like hours. Sparks illuminated the cityscape, reflecting in puddles and windows, the hum of energy thrumming through the alleyways. Civilians screamed, hid, filmed, and stared, their belief fueling Nova's power even as chaos threatened to overwhelm the street. He felt the Divine Spark surge, the system updating mechanically in his mind:
[System Notification] Belief Points +12 (Direct and Indirect Witnesses)
Power: 8.6%
Minor Authority: Sparks Shaping Level 8
Observers Noted: 6
The rival paused, tilting their head, studying Nova's response. Then, with a flick of their wrist, they created a series of shadow constructs, animated tendrils that wriggled and struck at Nova from multiple angles. Each strike required him to weave sparks into protective barriers, redirecting energy, and shielding civilians.
Nova realized the duel was no longer just a contest of raw power—it was a battle of wits, control, and perception. Every panic, every gasp, every camera recording was feeding the system. Belief Points surged as he maneuvered, his mind calculating the optimal response to both threat and perception.
[System Notification] Minor Authority Enhanced: Sparks Manipulation Level 9
Belief Points: +15 (Cumulative Witnesses)
Power: 9.3%
Quest Update: Survive Rival Encounter – In Progress
Finally, Nova concentrated, letting the Divine Spark flood his body. He shaped sparks into a radiant, cascading storm, a controlled tempest of electricity that forced the rival backward. The shadow tendrils dissipated, the constructs shattered, and the civilians cheered, capturing every moment.
[System Notification] Rival Candidate Temporarily Repelled
Belief Points: +20 (Witnessed Miracle)
Power: 10.0%
Minor Authority: Sparks Shaping Level 10
Followers Confirmed: 5
Observers Detected: 7
The rival retreated, disappearing into the shadows with a faint, deliberate smile. Nova's chest heaved, sparks flickering gently as adrenaline faded. He had survived, gained power, and learned that divinity in the modern world demanded both might and strategy.
The city was alive, the people watching, and the Divine Spark thrummed in his veins like a living entity. But Nova knew this was only the beginning. Rivals would return, supernatural threats would escalate, and ancient eyes would watch more closely now.
From the rooftops, the rival observed silently, the first confrontation concluded but far from the last. Nova's journey toward godhood had truly begun.
---