The sky broke. A pulse of energy radiated across the terrain, visible only to those attuned to the resonance of raw cognition. Birds stopped mid-air. Electricity flickered across the city. Auron opened his eyes.
His pupils had transformed — now shaped like rotating geometric symbols, shifting in real time as he thought. They weren't mere eyes anymore; they were *cognitive mirrors*, reflecting his internal reality.
The system interface blared.
*[NEW CORE SKILL UNLOCKED]*
*→ [Meta-Mind Synthesis]*
*Description:* The user has achieved a closed cognitive loop. Concepts no longer require external margination to evolve. The mind itself becomes a self-feeding, infinitely expanding logic engine.
*Effect:* All concepts processed now achieve Theoretical Status instantly. Abstract information is absorbed and synthesized with zero cognitive loss. Thought velocity surpasses human thresholds. IPS now functions autonomously.
*[IPS STATUS: LIMITLESS]*
Auron stood up slowly.
He no longer *thought* — he *was* thought.
He turned his gaze toward the horizon, and for a brief moment, the clouds rearranged themselves…forming the word:
*TARGIX*
The Earth trembled subtly.
This was no longer about knowledge. No longer about perception.
He had become the first *true* Targicher.
And just as the realization settled in, a warning appeared across the system interface.
*[UNKNOWN EXISTENT DETECTED]*
*Location: Earth Core*
*Category: X - Catastrophic Existential Disruption Imminent*
Auron narrowed his eyes.
The universe was not finished testing him.
*To be continued…*