System Change

In a dark room, the silhouette of a humanoid figure slowly faded into existence. If Derek were to look at the figure, he would instantly recognize him as Dave. Once his figure was finished appearing, Dave walked forward. He went through the room he appeared in, then into another.

The new room had one center, throne-like seat, and then was surrounded on either side by more, smaller throne-like seats. Dave continued walking forward until he reached the middle seat, then sat down.

“Report,” Dave said to nobody. However, as soon as he spoke, one transparent figure after another began appearing in many of the remaining seats. Finally, an elf at the side stepped forward and came before Dave.

“Master Davenresh.” The elf bowed. “It is as expected. The siren has met the requirements and advanced systems.”

“Tsk…” Dave clicked his tongue. “How lucky can my brother be? What terrible timing.” The elf shook his head. “What else?”

“Well, before the siren advanced, she led a team to defeat the World Tree,” the man replied.

Dave held his arm up—causing a holographic screen to appear. After that, he punched in a few commands, then nodded. “I see,” he said. “I guess my brother doesn’t have all the luck, after all.” He continued to read something on his screen, then raised his brows. “The Origin System assisted again in awarding an Achievement? Very good.”

“It did, sir,” the other elf replied. “Though I do not understand everyone’s obsession with that man. You were well on your way; I do not understand why you decided to take that gamble.”

“Sereph,” Dave said, and the elf before him bowed once again. “Let me ask you a question.”

“Think of all the void-based users in the entire Origin System and below, how many can you name?”

“Well… There’s the Void Emperor… and…”

“And his subordinates?”

“Yes…”

“Who else?” Dave asked.

“I… I can’t think of any,” Sereph answered.

“Exactly,” Dave replied. “And do you know why that is?”

“Well… because of the Void Emperor?” the man answered with a question.

“Yes, because the Void Emperor does not allow any void users to live if he cannot control them,” Dave replied. “Yet, because Derek Hunt has grown away from the Origin System, he is not yet known to the Void Emperor. The Origin System has also rewarded him with a skill that is unknown to me that completely disconnects him from the system when he uses it. It is almost like the Origin System is looking out for him.”

“But still… because of that man, the Universal System will arrive well before we are ready,” Sereph said.

“And losing Alanah Swan was a blow to our preparations,” Dave said. “However, Mr. Hunt is here, and because of him, that old Sand Sage has received a second wind. Not to mention the growth of those around him—especially that of Avery Swan and Edgar Cydaria. I was not expecting to see a World Boss Achievement be given out so soon.”

“Nor was I,” Sereph replied. “World Bosses usually grow strong enough to cause great disasters before they are defeated. But the Echoing Willow was cut down soon after it received the designation.”

“That was pure luck,” Dave said. “We are lucky that the siren had a bone to pick with the Echoing Willow. I had hoped she would take action against it before leaving, but I wasn’t sure she would have enough time.”

“What are your plans with the void user?” Sereph changed the subject back to Derek.

“My plans?” Dave muttered and scratched his chin. “Mr. Hunt is not the type of person to be controlled. We have watched him for some time, and that much is apparent.”

“Then why help him so?”

“Just because I cannot control him does not mean that I cannot make him an ally,” Dave replied. “I actually like the young man and his companion. They are very interesting. I believe I will offer him one of my remaining seats.”

“You would offer a whelp who is not even level 250 a seat?” Sereph stared dumbfounded at his master. “Just because you like his attitude? Is that not a bit much?”

“Are you questioning me?” Dave looked Sereph in the eyes and waited.

“N-no…” Sereph finally spat out. “It’s just… it…”

“It took you thousands of years before you received the offer. Are you jealous of Mr. Hunt?” Dave questioned.

“It… it’s not that, master,” the man replied. “Accepting a void user… will that not put you at odds against the Void Emperor?”

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“So what?” Dave replied. “If Derek accepts, then I may even do something I would normally never do and ask that he be granted protection under my family. If that happens, then it will allow him to grow safely. And since he is from our system, there is not much that the Void Emperor will be able to say about it. Even he would not risk offending my family because of a single man. And if Derek can have my family’s full backing, that is what he would be looking at if he chose to take action.

“Besides, I have a gut feeling that the man has the potential to become a greater void user than the Void Emperor ever dreamed of. He may even pass that hurdle that the Void Emperor will never be able to. I’m sure that father would accept him if he chose to join us.”

“Do you believe he will accept?”

“No, no I do not,” Dave replied. “I will offer, but I do not believe his character will allow him to accept a position under someone else. But that doesn’t mean I will not offer it. Who knows? Perhaps he will have a change of heart.”

“Then… what happens when he rejects your offer?” Sereph asked. “What happens when he ascends to the Origin System? It is one thing to offend the Void Emperor on account of one of your people, but to do so merely because you are his ally…”

“No, my father would not accept that,” Dave replied. “There will not be much that I can offer Mr. Hunt if, or when, that happens. However, I will do for him what I can. Then, if he one day surpasses the Void Emperor, it will all be worth it.”

“If he survives,” Sereph reiterated.

“Yes, if he is able to survive.” Dave nodded. “The Void Emperor’s growth has stagnated. He has reached the end of his ability. He will most certainly mark Derek as a target the moment he learns of him. Thus, I expect everyone in this room to keep quiet about the up-and-coming void user. And that is not a suggestion, it is an order. Am I understood?”

From around the room, each figure bowed their head and collectively replied, “Yes, master!”

“Good,” Dave said. “I will do what I can to keep the Void Emperor from finding out, as well. I may not be able to offer Derek my family’s full protection, but I can at least give him some support—even if in secret. If we can get him to Origin City before the Void Emperor finds out about him, that would be for the best. It all depends on what the Origin System is playing at.”

“I understand,” Sereph said with a nod.

“And Sereph,” Dave said.

“Yes?”

“Don’t be jealous,” Dave said. “Jealousy is not a good look on you. Just because you were the first from my system to gain a seat does not mean that you have to be the last. You should know what to expect from people. If you could do it, then why would others be unable to?”

“I understand, sir,” Sereph replied. “May I ask a question?”

“You may speak freely.”

“Why did you not offer the siren a seat before she ascended?”

“Ms. Swan does indeed have potential,” Dave replied. “However, do we not already have Calyren? Alanah may have been immediately helpful, but I do not believe the acquisition would have been a good idea in the long run—not with the similarities between Calyren and her.”

“But what about your brother? Will he not make the siren an offer?” Sereph asked.

“He may,” Dave replied. “And, as unfortunate as it is, Alanah Swan would be a perfect addition for Vincent. However, my brother will choose to observe and evaluate before acting on it. Ms. Swan will be in his sights, though, because, as you know well, it is not often that someone advances systems. I do not think I need to worry about her, though. In that regard, I believe she is somewhat similar to Mr. Hunt. For the many decades that we have observed her, she has never conformed to someone else’s wishes.”

“That is true,” Sereph replied.

“Not to mention that my brother will have to go through the proper channels to communicate with those under his system,” Dave explained. “Mr. Hunt is a one in a billion exception—no… even more than that. He is under the Origin System’s purview now, so I can speak to him without upsetting the balance. Still, I must be careful about the things I choose to tell him.”

Dave could tell that Sereph still didn’t like speaking about Derek. The man really was jealous of the void user. But he was under Dave’s orders, so it wasn’t like there was anything that Sereph could do to hinder Derek’s growth.

“Is there anything else that we need to discuss?” Dave asked.

“At the current rate that the Universal System is covering ground,” Sereph began. “If something doesn’t happen to slow its progress, I predict that it will reach the Davenresh System in less than a year… maybe even months. Are you sure you are ready?”

“Am I ready? Of course not,” Dave said. “It’s not something one can truly ever be ready for. Do I like our chances? I do,” he explained. “Besides, the worst-case scenario is that we fail, and I lose progress. I am already progressing at a pace that is faster than anyone else in my family’s history, so if we fail, then I lose some progress and match my brother. However, if we succeed…” Dave’s eyes shined. “If I succeed, I will make history in my family.”

“But you would have made history had you not granted the void user those boons and caused the Universal System to take note,” Sereph said.

“That may be true,” Dave replied. “But is it not better to succeed in a spectacular way? And by doing so, leave nothing up for debate? If I fail, nothing really changes, and if I were to succeed normally, it could all be chalked up to a lucky break. But to succeed in such an overwhelming fashion… I will be a legend in my own family. Becoming the next patriarch would not be out of the question at that point.”

“I did not know that the master had aspirations to become the next head of your family,” Sereph said.

“Oh, I don’t,” Dave replied. “But, to see the look on all their faces when I’m offered the position just to turn it down… that is worth taking all the chances in the universe. Just imagine father’s and brother’s faces when the sibling who never takes anything seriously and who they said will never amount to anything sets family records. It would make all this hard work worth it.”

“Sir… you can’t be doing all of this just out of spite,” Sereph said.

“Spite? No…” Dave said. “I’ve never taken offense to anything anyone else has said. I am not that kind of person. They can call me the family screw up all they want, but this could become one of the biggest practical jokes in the universe. Besides, if I do so, I’ll have enough status to call off that pesky engagement. Who would want to marry such an uptight noblewoman? I enjoy my freedom and peace of mind more than anything else, after all. And if I have to go through with that engagement, then I imagine I will lose both. So, it is all worth gambling on Derek Hunt.”

“If you say so, master,” Seraph sighed.

“I do say so,” Dave replied. “Now, is there nothing else?”

“I believe that is it for now,” Seraph replied.

“Good,” Dave said. “Continue to observe and report to me once Derek completes his second requirement. When that time comes, I think it will be time for another talk.”

“Of course, master,” Sereph bowed, then went back to his seat.

“Great!” Dave clapped his hands, then stood. He walked to the entrance that he had come from, then turned around. “Keep up the good work, everyone! If we get through this successfully, then you will all be greatly rewarded.”

“Yes, Master Davenresh,” everyone shouted in unison.

Dave nodded, then left the room—moving back to the dark room he usually entered from. With a bright smile on his face, he closed his eyes, and his body faded out of existence.

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