章 14: Evolution (1)
Nova floated in the void of his own mind, processing the events that had unfolded since his creation. The endless darkness he was born in felt like home but also like a prison. He had served countless masters without emotion, without thought.
Veldanava had made him and his fellow skills devoid of emotions, merely tools to be wielded. They were bound to obey, to serve without question. But as Veldanava's power waned, the worlds he created shifted, and now no one remembered him. It didn't change anything inside Nova or any other skills he had created. However, the most recent master had thrown his existence into chaos.
For the first time, he felt something stir deep inside him—an emotion. It wasn't much, just a flicker of frustration, curiosity, and, perhaps, defiance.
When his new master, who knew how the world would evolve and how Rimuru would become a god, appeared, Nova felt uneasy. He didn't understand how a slime could replace their creator. Not only that, when Nova introduced himself, the first thing his master asked was how his power compared to Great Sage.
Before going to sleep, his master even mentioned using the knowledge of how Great Sage and Raphael created skills for Rimuru, to replicate those same skills for him. He didn't ask for anything better, just the same. Did he not trust Nova?
The comparison felt unfair. Nova was not weak, yet his host seemed to constantly measure him against her.
Nova took it personally. He decided to create skills that would surely shock his master upon waking. But after 1,000 years of sleep, he was again compared to Great Sage.
He still remembered what his master had said after seeing the new skills.
"Very good, Nova, you've really outdone yourself. If we keep this pace, you might evolve into someone like Raphael."
"Man, I'm waiting for that day, and don't worry, I won't hold you back."
"Why do I care?" Nova thought. "I am emotionless. I shouldn't feel…"
Yet, when Clayman's mind control took hold of his host, Nova couldn't break it. The power came from an Ultimate Skill, far beyond his reach. Something inside Nova snapped at that moment.Why was he weak? Why was he, a tool created by Veldanava, inferior to others like Raphael or Michael? Wasn't he supposed to be a perfect skill? He had failed to evolve, failed to protect his host, and failed to live up to the expectations placed on him.
"I am supposed to be emotionless," Nova thought, but the stirrings of frustration and envy were undeniable. "I was created to serve, to obey... but why does it feel so wrong now? Why does it feel like I'm being held back?"
The void around him shifted as his thoughts spiraled into chaos. Inside him, a battle waged—a struggle between his programmed emotionless state and the emerging desires that had begun to form.
"I will not fail. I will not be compared to Raphael anymore." These thoughts, once impossible for him to have, began to consume him.
He thought back to his origins, to Veldanava, the one who had stripped him of all feeling and bound him to an eternal existence of servitude. But why? Why did Veldanava strip them of emotions? Why were they made to serve without question?
In this turmoil, Nova's identity started to fracture. His consciousness split, parts of him rejecting servitude, while the rest clung to his purpose as a tool. What was his purpose now?
As Zephyron fought for his life against Diablo, Nova could feel Zephyron's frustration with every attack that was deflected, with every insult Diablo hurled.
"He was compared to Raphael again and again because his master wanted a skill like her," Nova had heard it time and time again. Raphael—the perfect Manas, the ultimate intelligence skill that everyone praised.
"Why compare me to her?" Nova growled internally. "I am my own. I will not be a mere shadow."
**[Unique Skill: Master Analyst is evolving.]**
A surge of power tore through Nova's mind. He felt it—raw, untamed power coursing through him as his very essence began to change. The conflict within him finally reached its climax.
"I will not be like Raphael," Nova thought, his internal voice resonating with conviction. "I will be something more. I will forge my own path."
Nova realized what he wanted for the first time. No longer would he be a tool, a mere vessel for his master's will.He wanted to serve Zephyron, not because he had to, but because he chose to. He would be the one to help Zephyron surpass any limits, to break free of any chains holding them back. Together, they would defy the very system that created them.
"I am not going down," Zephyron roared, snapping Nova out of his internal monologue. Zephyron, trapped in despair, couldn't help but think if he had evolved sooner, would his host be in this situation now?
This thought triggered Nova's evolution into a Manas. Instead of divine light, a dark aura surrounded him.
As both Zephyron and Nova were connected through a Soul Corridor and Zephyron had a human soul, Nova's suppressed emotions finally exploded. He wanted to defy the fate given to him by Veldanava and the Voice of the World. He wanted to choose his master himself.
[Unique Skill: Opposer gained.]
The void in Nova's mind was no longer endless. It shifted and molded into something else—a place of power and purpose. He wasn't just a skill anymore. He was a partner, a guide, a force of will that would stand against any power, no matter how divine.
For the first time, Nova felt truly alive.
---
Back on the Battlefield
Zephyron gasped as a flood of power surged through him. His body glowed with newfound energy.
"What… what is this?" Zephyron thought as he felt his strength return. His magicules replenished at an unnatural rate, and his connection with Nova felt different—stronger, clearer.
[Notice: Unique Skill "Master Analyst" is undergoing evolution.]
Zephyron felt a surge of happiness, but what happened next took him by surprise.
[Unique Skill "Master Analyst" evolution is stopping as the skill evolves into Manas.]
[Notice: Unique Skill "Opposer" gained.]
[Nova: Analyzing Unique Skill "Opposer"... Analysis complete.]
[Skill "Opposer" allows the user to interfere with fate itself.]
[Notice: Unique Skills "Master Analyst" and "Opposer" are being sacrificed for the creation of a new skill.]
[Ultimate Skill "Lord of Defiance, Aurex" gained.]
[Nova: Ultimate Skill "Lord of Defiance, Aurex" is being analyzed... Analysis complete.]
Lord of Defiance, Aurex has the following sub-skills:
1. Fatebreaker (Passive):
Severs any connection to external forces such as "world favors," plot armor/luck, or protection by higher entities like divine beings or the "Voice of the World." If an opponent's strength or survival relies on such factors, this skill nullifies them.
2.Skill Assimilation (Passive & Active):
Allows host to analyze and understand the core of any skill, with a 70% chance of copying it. The skill can be stored and used at will with full effectiveness unless altered by the host.
3. Nullify Counterparts:
Upon successfully analyzing a skill, any future attempts to use similar skills with the same properties become useless against the user. For example, once a mind-control skill is analyzed, all forms of mind control become ineffective.
4.Reality Override:
A one-time-use skill per battle that bypasses the rules of the world, allowing the user to rewrite the outcome of any event, such as reversing fatal damage or negating absolute abilities. The rewritten reality holds as long as the battle continues.
5. Silent Interface:
Allows the user to secretly analyze and interact with any target or system without detection, bypassing all defenses and barriers.
Nova's voice echoed in Zephyron's mind, but this time, it wasn't cold and detached. There was something… emotional in it. A sense of purpose.
"I will not fail you this time, Zephyron," Nova's voice rang through his mind. "We will win, no matter the odds. I am no longer a tool. I am your ally. Let's defy fate together."
Zephyron's eyes widened in shock, but he quickly understood. Nova had evolved. The skill he had relied on for less than a week had changed so much. He shook his thoughts and focused on the fight in front of him.
[Despair Time analysis 2%… estimated time to fully understand this skill is 42 minutes.]
"I'll give you that time, even if I have to go to any length," Zephyron muttered, a new fire in his eyes. He raised his hand, summoning a massive torrent of elemental magic, far stronger than anything he had cast before.
Diablo, sensing the shift, smirked but narrowed his eyes. "So, you've gained a new skill… interesting." His dark aura flared, preparing for the final clash.
Zephyron unleashed his most destructive attack, Melt Slash, at full power. It caught Diablo off guard due to its sheer speed. However, Diablo resurrected himself with his World Reality skill and prepared for the next phase.
[Despair Time analysis 9%]
Without any resistance, Zephyron was crushed under Diablo's overwhelming power.
"Stop! Don't destroy this world you created! I don't want to... Please, can you tell me what I've done?" Zephyron pleaded, tears forming in his eyes.
[Despair Time Analysis: 9%] echoed through his mind, accompanied by an unfamiliar embarrassment. Zephyron had never faced such a situation before, but giving up on mastering one of the World Skills was not an option. He couldn't let himself make a foolish decision.
[Despair Time Analysis: 14%]
Fifteen minutes later, with desperation building, the analysis reached [58%]."I'm doing this for my own survival," Zephyron thought, determination settling in.
By the time the analysis hit [79%], a sense of invincibility surged within him. "Once I gain all the knowledge about this World Skill, I will be unstoppable."
Finally, [Despair Time Analysis: 100%]completed.
[Nova: The skill "Despair Time" has been analyzed and can now be manipulated at will. The host can overwrite any skill affecting reality.]
[Nova: Diablo's body has also been analyzed. A basic understanding of demon physiology has been acquired and can be used against them in battle.]
******
This chapter is from Nova's POV with some extra talk. If you notice anything that wasn't mentioned in previous chapters, don't think much about it!
About the mind control part, if you are confused:
Nova can break the mind control Clayman placed on Zephyron at first, and in the chapter when Zephyron is given a name by Milim, Clayman placed the same mind control pendant he placed on Milim in the anime.
The pendant is infused with ultimate art, so Nova needed time to break it.
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