I walked slowly through the forest, each step taking me further away from the reality I knew. The towering trees formed a thick canopy above me, filtering the golden sunlight. Birds with iridescent feathers passed from one branch to another, their songs mingling with the rustling of the leaves. I breathed deeply, imbued with this strange feeling of wonder and freedom. But there was something else, a dull energy inside me, something new and uncontrolled.

[Evil Hand System: Tutorial activated.]

The voice suddenly echoed in my mind, cold but clear, as if it were part of my thoughts. A translucent interface appeared in front of me, floating slightly above the ground. It was divided into tabs: Statistics, Skills, Transformations and Inventory.

[Statistics]

The interface explained that these numbers represented my physical and mental abilities: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma. All my values were at their minimum. Every action I take—whether it's fighting or completing quests—could increase these attributes. I frowned as I realized that the system was a direct reflection of my inner state, a crude mirror of my strengths and weaknesses.

[SKILLS]

I looked through the skills tab. The range was impressive: sword fighting, magic wielding, alchemy, and much more. The system seemed to encourage experimentation. Each skill could be perfected with use, like a muscle trained to exhaustion.

Then, my gaze landed on the Transformations tab.

[Transformations]

The heart of the Evil Hand system was located here. This power allowed me to transform a part of my body—a hand, an arm, or more—into a weapon, a tool, or even a semi-organic creature. It was not just an illusion or a camouflage. Each transformation altered the body's internal structure: my bones remodeled, my nerves connected to unfamiliar materials, and my cells temporarily fused with foreign substances.

Curious, I swiped my virtual finger over an option: “Steel Blade.” A strange warmth ran up my arm. In an instant, my skin became rough like scales, my forearm stiffened, and a sharp blade erupted from my wrist. I observed, fascinated, the perfect curvature of the living metal. I felt every vibration through this weapon, as if it were a natural extension of my body.

I raised the blade and slammed it against the trunk of a massive tree. The wood immediately cracked, splitting in two like wet paper.

[Attention: Any transformation consumes vital energy. The more complex or powerful the transformation, the more it drains your energy.]

So that was the cost of power: a reserve of energy drawn directly from my biological system. The transformation process taxed every cell in my body, burning my life energy like fuel. I had to manage this resource carefully, as overuse could deplete my strength and even lead to irreversible side effects, such as tissue breakdown or nerve damage.

The system also seemed to alter my sensory perception. When I used the blade, my vision became sharper, my hearing sharper. These temporary adaptations were fascinating but risky: I was afraid of becoming too dependent on these powers, to the point of forgetting where my body stopped and the system began.

I made an effort to catch my breath, feeling my hand return to its normal state. The scales disappeared, and my arm regained its original flexibility, but I felt like I had run a marathon. My Constitution, which measured my ability to support these transformations, needed to be improved as a priority if I wanted to survive.

[Inventory]

Finally, I took a look at my inventory. It was empty except for basic equipment: a worn tunic, reinforced boots, and a dull knife. The system encouraged me to explore this world to discover more powerful and useful items.

With a sigh, I closed the interface. The Evil Hand system was not just a power, it was an extension of myself, a perfect symbiosis between my body and this unknown technology. But there was also a shadow hanging over this power. What was the true price of this donation? How far could I go before this system consumed me from the inside out?

I walked aimlessly through the forest, the rustling of the leaves beneath my feet being my only companion. This new world, as mysterious as it was vast, made me dizzy. Every tree, every breath of the wind seemed to whisper infinite possibilities. Yet, despite all this beauty, a feeling of emptiness clung to me. I had no shelter, no money, and no idea how to survive here. I was like a lost piece in a puzzle much bigger than me.

I let out a sigh, then resolved to tax my system.

— “System, is there somewhere I can settle down and learn to master my powers?” I asked out loud, hoping for an answer.

A light vibration resonated in my mind, followed by a mechanical and reassuring voice:

[Host, there are several specialized academies for Evil Hand system users. These places are designed to guide those who carry this unique ability, training them to understand, master, and refine their powers. They also facilitate their connection to the spiritual flow of the six layers of the upper world.]

— “Six layers of the spiritual world?” I whispered, intrigued.

[Spiritual layers are distinct, interpenetrating dimensions, each governing deeper aspects of existence. These academies are located in a space straddling these layers, a sanctuary where time and matter do not behave as they do in the material world.]

A holographic map unfolded in front of me, floating lightly in the air. Several points of light appeared, marking the positions of academies near and far. One of them was a few days' walk away.

— “Thank you, system.”

I waved the map away and set off again. The hours passed slowly as I passed through thick forests, skirting treacherous rivers, and climbing mist-shrouded mountains. Each step seemed to bring me closer to an uncertain destination, but a new feeling settled inside me: a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

As the sun sank below the horizon, a glimmer of civilization appeared: a small village nestled in the valley. I entered the village tavern, attracted by the warmth and the comforting smell of simmering food. After devouring a free plate of stew, I turned to a bard sitting not far from me. His lyre rested on his knees, and he seemed at ease, as if he knew every corner of the world.

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— “Excuse me,” I said, sitting down next to him. "I'm new to these lands and I'm looking for an academy for users of the Evil Hand system. Do you know where I could find that?"

The bard stared at me for a moment, his gaze sparkling with amused curiosity.

— “An Evil Hand user, you say?” He shook his head, smiling. "You're not the first to seek out this kind of place, but they only open their doors to souls capable of supporting their load."

— “Where can I find it?” I insisted.

He gently strummed the strings of his lyre before answering.

— "The nearest academy is beyond the Black River, deep in the Enchanted Forest. But it is not easy to reach. This forest lives between several spiritual layers. If you are not ready If you cross these limits, it will lead you astray and prevent you from achieving your goal."

I frowned.

— “What do you mean by ‘several spiritual layers’?”

The bard paused, then explained:

— "The academy operates in a sanctuary located between the material world and six spiritual planes. Each of these planes governs an essential facet of power: Will, Balance, Destruction, Creation, Knowledge, and Absolution . Students who pass the tests of each layer see their power strengthened and their understanding deepened. But be careful: each layer requires a part of your mind and soul. If you fail to master one of them, you risk remaining trapped there, lost between worlds."

This revelation aroused a strange fascination in me. A place that transcended the laws of the physical world, where power was not limited to what you could see or touch... It was exactly what I was looking for.

I thanked him and left the tavern. The night wind was cold, but it did not quench the ardor that burned within me. The Enchanted Forest would be a test, no doubt. But if this academy could teach me to fully master the Evil Hand, I was ready to face any danger.

Role of the academy:

The academy is not just a traditional place of learning. She operates in a higher spiritual space, where students must traverse six layers of reality to unlock the full potential of their powers. Each layer represents a fundamental force of the spiritual world:

•Willpower: Strengthen determination and mental stamina.

•Balance: Master the opposing forces that govern the universe.

•Destruction: Understanding and controlling the energies of devastation.

•Creation: Develop the ability to shape and imagine.

•Knowledge: Access a deep understanding of the system.

•Absolution: Fully accept one's role and go beyond human limits.

Each passage through a layer requires a unique ordeal that tests the mind, body and soul of the student. Those who succeed emerge with amplified power, but those who fail risk remaining trapped in one of the layers, forever lost in a maze of dreams and nightmares.

The sun was disappearing over the horizon, bathing the sky in shades of gold and purple. From the top of the hill, I could see a large plain stretching toward a distant town, its bright lights piercing the gathering gloom.

[Evil Hand System: Detection of a large city. Name: Neo-Kyoto. Major center for users of the Evil Hand system.]

Neo-Kyoto… This name awakened vague, almost unreal memories in me. I quickly chased the thought away. It was not time to let the past haunt me. My goal was elsewhere: to cross the enchanted forest and reach the spiritual academy.

When I arrived at the edge of the forest, the air became fresher, saturated with a special aura. A light fog enveloped the place, and the trees, gigantic and gnarled, formed a natural arch.

[Evil Hand System: You enter a spiritual realm. Creatures here respond to immaterial energies. Stay alert.]

I felt a palpable tension in the air. This forest was not simply a geographical location; it belonged to a higher reality, one of the layers of the spiritual world where human perception was transformed. Here, emotions and intentions carried weight.

I clutched the hilt of my sword, a special weapon created through my Evil Hand shapeshifting system. This black blade, decorated with undulating patterns, was not a simple weapon. It evolved according to the defeated opponents, assimilating their traits and abilities. Each victory transformed her a little more, making her as alive as she was dangerous.

As I advanced among the trees, discreet noises pierced the silence: cracking of branches, distant murmurs... Then, a piercing scream suddenly rang out, interrupting the oppressive calm.

I froze, my heart beating faster. A rustling in the bushes caught my attention. I prepared myself for any eventuality, holding my sword ready to act. It was then that a spectral deer appeared, emerging from the shadows.

His silver fur seemed to glow gently under the fog, and his luminous green eyes shone like two jewels in the night. He exuded an ancient and imposing aura.

[Evil Hand System: Detection – Spectral deer linked to the six layers of the spiritual world. Major event detected.]

It was not a simple animal. The deer embodied aspects of the six spiritual layers: Will, Balance, Destruction, Creation, Knowledge and Absolution. To move forward, I would have to face it… and defeat it.

But it was not a decision I took lightly. The duel would be as much a physical as a spiritual test. Killing this creature would not only mean breaking a form of pure beauty, but also agreeing to delve deeper into the power of the Evil Hand.

The deer and I stared at each other in silence, a strange understanding settling between us. Then, without warning, he jumped.

The Trial of Six Layers

Each blow exchanged tested my resolve. To move forward, it was not enough to fight fear, you had to accept it and continue despite everything.

The deer dodged with perfect agility, and I knew I had to find a rhythm. Balance was the key: neither too much haste, nor too much hesitation.

There was a moment when I felt rage rising within me. But I understood that the Destruction was only a passage, not an end. Destroying was sometimes necessary to renew oneself.

My sword, as the fight progressed, seemed to transform under my fingers. Its contours changed subtly, depending on my intentions. Understanding Creation meant realizing that I could evolve in every moment.

A flash of clarity invades me. The real fight was not against the deer, but against myself. Each blow exchanged was only a reflection of my own inner conflicts.

When the final moment came, I did not act out of rage or fear. I knocked with acceptance, understanding that the end of a cycle was not a failure, but a necessary transition to something else.

The deer fell gently to the ground, its body dissolving into a shower of light. One last emerald gaze passed through me before it disappeared completely. I stood still, breathing short.

[Evil Hand System: Assimilation successful. New Ability Acquired – Spectral Stag Physiology.]

I watched my sword morph again. Elegant patterns inspired by deer antlers adorned the blade, and a green glow gently pulsed from it. At that moment, I felt a profound change within me. My mind felt lighter, as if an invisible weight had been lifted.

I got up, exhausted but at peace. The ordeal was over. I had taken a crucial step, not only in the use of my system, but also in my own inner journey.

With this victory, I was no longer the same. I had assimilated something bigger than me.