บท 7: Increase In Strength

As Derek checks his balance of Author Points, he feels a sense of excitement and anticipation.

He knows that these points represent a valuable currency that can be used to unlock new abilities and powers.

He begins to think about the fundamental powers of the universe, and he realizes that he needs a body that can harness the power of light.

He imagines a being that is pure and radiant, capable of channelling the energy of the universe itself.

With a sense of purpose, Derek consults the book and quickly finds the option to create such a body. The cost, however, is steep - 250,000 Author Points.

Without hesitation, Derek selects the option to create the body, and he feels a rush of energy as the points are deducted from his balance. [250000 Points deducted]

Suddenly, the room is filled with a brilliant light, and Derek watches in awe as the body materializes before him.

It is a marvel of engineering and design, with a sleek and futuristic appearance that exudes power and grace.

Derek feels a surge of excitement as he approaches the body, studying its details and imagining the possibilities that it represents.

This body will be the key to unlocking the power of light, and Derek knows that it will be an invaluable asset in the struggles to come.

But there is still one critical component missing - a soul that can give the body life and consciousness.

Derek considers his options, knowing that this will be a complex and risky process.

He decides to create a replica of his soul, complete with its memories and experiences.

It will be a being that is linked to him in some fundamental way, but also its entity with its own will and consciousness.

Derek takes a deep breath and selects the option to create the soul, and he feels another rush of energy as the points are deducted from his balance. [Points deducted]

The room is filled with a blinding light, and Derek feels a strange energy coursing through his body.

He watches in amazement as the soul materializes before him, a being that is both familiar and alien at the same time.

It looks like a duplicate of Derek but with a strange aura of light surrounding it.

The being has its memories, personality, and consciousness, but it is also linked to Derek's mind in some mysterious way.

As the soul enters the new body, the body begins to squirm and twitch, as if adjusting to its new form.

Derek watches with fascination as the body gradually adapts to its new state, the light aura around it growing brighter and more intense.

Then, suddenly, another Derek appears before him, a duplicate of himself with the same aura of light surrounding him.

The two Dereks regard each other curiously, and then the original Derek steps forward to initiate a conversation.

"Hello there," he says, "I'm Derek, just like you. But I'm the original Derek, and I have a task for you."

The copy Derek regards him with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "And who are you exactly?" he asks.

"I am you, but I am also something more," the original Derek explains. "I am the Derek who has been working within the academy, trying to navigate the complex politics and power struggles that are tearing our world apart."

"I see," the copy Derek says, nodding slowly. "And what is this task that you speak of?"

The original Derek leans forward, his eyes intense. "I need you to form a mercenary group, a team of highly skilled individuals who can act outside the academy to resolve the problems that I cannot.

There are issues that require a more direct approach, and I believe that you are the one who can provide it."

The copy Derek considers this for a moment, weighing the risks and rewards. "And what kind of problems are we talking about?" he asks.

"Problems that threaten the stability of our world," the original Derek replies. "There are factions that seek to gain power through any means necessary, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.

We need to be able to counter their moves, to anticipate their actions, and to act decisively when necessary."

The copy Derek nods slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "And what kind of individuals are you looking for?" he asks.

"Individuals who are highly skilled, who are able to think on their feet, and who are willing to take risks," the original Derek says.

"We need people who can act independently, but who are also able to work as part of a team. And we also need people who can keep their mouths shut, who can keep our activities secret from those who would seek to stop us."

The copy Derek nods again, his mind already considering the possibilities. "Very well," he says. "I will begin looking for suitable candidates, and I will keep you informed of my progress."

The original Derek smiles, a sense of satisfaction spreading through him. He knows that the copy Derek is the perfect person for this task, and he feels a sense of pride in the being that he has created.

Together, they will be able to accomplish great things, and they will be able to make a real difference in the world.

After giving instructions to another him and telling him to remain library dimension Derek left the dimension and his consciousness returned to his body.

...

Derek woke up with a lingering pain in his chest and reflexively touched it repeatedly, seemingly unaware of his surroundings.

"What happened?" he muttered as he looked around. He realized he was lying on the sturdy ground of an ancient root, which could be mistaken for a branch due to its size.

After a few moments, Derek's memory started to come back as if a lightning strike hit his head and an imaginary bulb was born out of it.

He remembered that the Mistress of Twilight had already left, and he let out a sigh of relief, thinking that whatever had happened had passed.

Derek checked his functioning smartwatch, which was protected by a mysterious barrier that the Mistress of Twilight had cast on him. "6:42 P.M.," he read.

He remembered that he had left for this journey early in the morning, just as the sun showed itself through the horizon.

As of this moment, the sun had certainly set, appearing on the other parts of the world.

"How long was I passed out?" he muttered, but his voice seemed to reverberate inside this closed space.

He took a few deep breaths until his composure returned to normal, and without the presence of the Mistress of Twilight, he managed to clear his mind.

Derek's eyes widened as he reflexively took a lotus sitting position from being slumped down on the sturdy ground and randomly reached out for the location of the seed.

"Ah, sht, sht! The seed!?" he exclaimed, his heart racing. He was just about to mutter if he got tricked by the Mistress of Twilight for some unknown reason when he noticed something slipped down from his left hand.

It was an almond-shaped seed with a size of 1 inch in length and half an inch in width. It was exuding a dark blue aura that represented the colour of Chaos.

Derek then crouched down to pick up the seed. Although the Chaos Aura was something extremely dangerous when it came in contact with any being not related to Chaos, the seed on the ground was a different case based on his unpublished novel.

The Chaos was within the seed itself, not on the outer shell, and when consumed, it had a high probability of being compatible with any being.

After letting out a breath of relief, he realized that the promise made by the Goddess of Night was kept, and he had not been deceived as he had feared.

Sitting on the ground, he examined the small object he held between his fingertips with his piercing blue gaze.

Suddenly, a notification rang out in his ears, and a holographic screen appeared before him, providing information on the item he held.

...

[Seed of chaos]

This is a rare and ancient seed that was swept by the awesome power of creation at the beginning of time into the depths of the Ancient Depths of Mystara, the foundation of the World Tree.

Rank: Ancient

Classification: Consumable

Effects:

- [Sealed]

...

[You have met the requirements to consume the "Seed of Chaos".]

Requirements to be eligible for consumption:

1. Champion of the Mistress of Twilight

2. Symbol of Twilight

3. Professions: Summoner

...

It was at this moment that Derek was reminded again of how trash his unpublished novel was, and how it was coming to bite him, being reincarnated in that very same novel.

The Seed of Chaos was an "Untouched Element" in which he wrote briefly but didn't get into detail.

"I didn't even know that it has requirements in this world…

"And what's the 'Symbol of Twilight'?"

He frowned in wonder, but he felt like he wanted to smack his head on the sturdy root of Mystara.

Ding-!

The System, as if it knew what he wanted to know, sent another notification, which he read thoroughly just like the previous one.

...

[Symbol of Twilight]

This is a mystical mark that has been etched into your heart by the Mistress of Twilight, imbuing you with her power and revealing hidden secrets.

Effects:

- Growth Rate increases by 2 times

- Willpower increases by 5

- Tenacity increased by 5

- Mana Regeneration increases by 100%

- Health Regeneration increases by 100%

- Stamina Regeneration increases by 100%

- [Sealed]

...

[You have been branded by the Constellation, 'Mistress of Twilight'.]

[The Symbol of twilight has been successfully carved into your heart.]

[The contract with the Constellation, 'Mistress of Twilight', has been completely formed.]

[You have gained the Unique Skill: Twilight Buff (EX).]

[You have gained the Trait: Nihility]

[You have been granted the Authority: Twilight Void.]

[You have received the "Seed of Chaos".]

...

Successfully forming a contract with a Constellation yields numerous unimaginable rewards, tangible or intangible, and the only thing that greatly differs was with whom a player has been contracted.

When it comes to Derek's case, he became the champion of a Constellation that had no interest in meddling in worlds' affairs, someone who even considered other Constellations as kids and their war as children's fight.