The chill of the stone against my back seeped through my clothes, pulling me from sleep. I pushed myself up, blinking in surprise at the unexpected lightness in my body. My body moved with a surprising ease, my muscles loose and relaxed, as if I had spent the night wrapped in soft blankets rather than lying on cold stone.

As I stretched, I noticed a strange energy subtly humming beneath my skin, an electric charge that tingled at the edge of my awareness. I couldn’t quite place it, but it was there, lingering, like the aftermath of a storm that hadn’t fully settled. I tried to shake off the feeling, but it clung to me, making me question if something had changed while I slept.

My eyes flicked to the walls, expecting the same pulsing turquoise swirls I’d seen before. Yet there was something different about it. Transfixed, I watched as the turquoise light switched into a new rhythm. It was no longer swirling in place. It flowed like a current, sweeping toward the inner door in a steady stream. As it reached the far end of the room, the light faded, only to reappear at the entrance, flowing forward again. The constant, forward motion drew my gaze, pulling me in, as if the walls themselves were guiding me, silently urging, this way.

I hastily packed everything into the bag, ready to follow the light, but a loud grumble from my stomach stopped me in my tracks, the gnawing emptiness reminding me just how long it had been since my last meal.

With a sigh, I shook my head. “Patience, light,” I murmured. “You’ll get your turn soon enough, but self-care comes first. I made a promise to myself last night, and I’m sticking to it.”

With everything neatly packed away and a few moments spent addressing the basic self-care I’d been neglecting, I felt a bit more like myself. My stomach, however, had other ideas, letting out an impatient grumble that echoed in the quiet space. Smirking at the reminder, I reached into the bag of holding and pulled the dark blue bento box free. I couldn’t help but wonder what mystery lay inside, my appetite urging me to dive in and discover.

I unzipped and opened the top section of the bento box and began eating what appeared to be a typical full-plate breakfast. About halfway through, I was startled when a system screen suddenly popped up, blocking my view.

Buff Buff Breakfast Buffet of Champions. You have received one of the buffs from the League of Ravannae, a notorious fútbol team from one of the illustrious mage universities. This buff increases your strength and endurance, allowing you to stay up all night studying for your magic theory finals and still have the energy to hit the gym.

A grin spread across my face as the notification faded, excitement buzzing in my chest. My mind raced back to the last time I ate from the bento box—the jittery energy, the way I couldn’t seem to sit still, how I stayed awake far longer than usual. My hands instinctively rubbed together as a greedy thought crossed my mind: What if the effects stack?

My pulse quickened, the thought sparking a wave of excitement. If the meals followed a deliberate sequence, could the effects compound with each level? The possibility tugged at my curiosity, a tantalizing idea that felt just within reach. Each bite might not just satisfy my hunger but build on the last, creating a cascade of power. The idea was too tempting to ignore.

The smell of a breakfast burrito hit my nose before I even saw it. Breakfast again? Does this thing somehow know what meal I am eating? If I wanted just a snack, would it give me snacks instead?

With it being breakfast again, does it mean that no matter which level of the bento box I eat from, I’ll always get the exact same buff? Why doesn’t the system screen tell me how long it lasts? If it turns out to be the same buff, I’ll have no way of knowing whether it stacks with the previous one or if it lasts any longer than before.

I tapped my fingers on the bento box, my curiosity gnawing at me. Could Dev have the answer? My gaze flicked to the burrito, its warmth wafting up to tease me. If I waited too long, it would get mushy, and there was no saving a soggy burrito. I hesitated for a moment longer, then gave in. “Better ask,” I muttered, activating the bracer.

Activating the bracer, “Hey, Dev, are you available?”

Hello, Mal. Always here for you. What can I help you with today?

The response popped up instantly, like Dev had been waiting for me. I couldn’t help but smirk at the familiar, no-nonsense phrasing. “Okay, so I’ve got a question, and I’m hoping you can clear this up for me.”

“I just discovered that my food is giving me buffs. Does the system give any time limits or stacking information? How would I access that?”

There was a brief pause, then Dev’s response appeared on the screen:

Yeah, that information is obtainable. However, your access to this information is currently blocked. The prompt I’m reading says: ‘Don’t tell him. Let him figure it out.’

“Of course it does,” I muttered under my breath. “It was worth a shot. Guess I’ll just have to experiment. Thanks, though.”

Always happy to help, Mal. Anything else?

“Nope, I’m good. Hope your day is going well, Dev.”

Thanks, Mal. Good luck.

Releasing the bracer to close the chat, I turned my attention back to the burrito, my curiosity about the buffs rekindled. “Alright, time to figure this out the hard way.” Taking a deep breath, I added, “Here we go. Please let it be a different buff.”

I picked up the burrito, its warmth radiating through the soft tortilla, and took a tentative first bite. The moment the flavors hit my tongue, I couldn’t help but close my eyes, letting the richness wash over me. This burrito was perfection; pure and simple. Each bite felt like it was made just for me, a perfect balance of spice, warmth, and texture.

But as incredible as it was, I needed to know if this burrito would give me another buff.

I slowed down, chewing deliberately. Was it bite-based? Maybe halfway through the meal? I waited, listening to my body, trying to feel for that little jolt of energy or strength, the slightest hint that something was changing. Nothing.

My brow furrowed as I took another bite, then another, each one testing a new theory. Was it the speed I was eating? Or maybe there’s some secret trick to unlocking it? I found myself staring at the burrito like it held the meaning of life.

With only a few bites left, my hope began to waver. Maybe it really is just one buff per meal setting. That would suck. I sighed, resigning myself to enjoy the last few mouthfuls without overthinking it.

As I glanced around the room, my eyes drifted to the glowing wall. The swirling turquoise light shifted, spiraling into new patterns. It was hypnotic, like a living painting that shifted and pulsed with purpose. Then it happened—the light bent and twisted into an arrow, clear and unmistakable, pointing toward the door.

The glowing arrows pulse, seeming to quicken my own. I tightened my grip on the empty bento box, my legs already moving before I even realized it. The thought of what might lie ahead sent a jolt of energy through me—a rush of excitement I couldn’t contain. My mind raced with possibilities: a hidden challenge, a new clue, or maybe even another chance to unlock something incredible. Whatever it was, I wasn’t about to sit around waiting. I stepped forward, my heart pounding with anticipation—only to freeze mid-step as I swallowed the last bite. A sudden flash in my vision stopped me cold. As the familiar system screen blinked into view.

Roll with It! Congratulations! You’ve been blessed by the legendary Taco Truck Revolution, purveyors of magical meals on wheels. This buff grants you unparalleled agility, increasing your dodge and sprint abilities. Move with the grace of a banderilleros and the speed of a runaway guacamole cart. Side effects may include an insatiable craving for churros, hearing ethereal sounds of mariachi, or uncontrollable siestas. When in doubt: just roll with it!

My pulse quickened, and a wide grin spread across my face as the notification vanished. My gaze dropped to the bento box, my fingers itching to open the third and final layer and see what surprise awaited inside.

I lifted the lid of the final layer, my movements slowing as I peeked inside. My eyes widened, and I blinked, leaning closer to confirm what I was seeing. Yogurt? Blueberries? Granola? Of all the things I expected, this definitely wasn’t it. I sat back, mouth slightly open, trying to process the sheer simplicity of it.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Really, just yogurt? I don’t even like this.

My fingers hovered over the granola, half expecting it to morph into something magical.

My chest tightened as I thought back to the last two buffs. They felt almost identical, like trying to compare two shades of the same color in dim light. I let out a groan, dragging a hand down my face. I’d been so eager, so caught up in the moment, that I hadn’t even bothered to test my strength. Now I had nothing to work with.

My eyes dropped back to the yogurt, its unassuming simplicity almost mocking me. My mind churned, trying to piece together how this could possibly outdo ‘Roll with It’. Was there some hidden twist, or was this just going to be something useless? Or maybe it was just yogurt, destined to disappoint.

I frowned, leaning in closer, as if proximity might somehow reveal the answer. Frustration bubbled up, and in a snap decision, I grabbed the spoon and started shoveling the gross breakfast into my mouth.

I grimaced as the tangy sweetness hit my tongue. Swallowing quickly, I forced down another bite, then another, each one more unpleasant than the last. "This is awful," I muttered, but I kept shoveling it in, determined to finish. By the time I scraped the bowl clean, I glared at it like it had wronged me. "You better be worth it," I growled, wiping my mouth with the matching napkin.

Turns out, the bento box couldn’t account for every quirk in my taste preferences. As the thought crossed my mind, I tilted my head, wondering if the magic had some deeper logic I didn’t understand yet. Maybe it wasn’t just about food—maybe there was something else at play.

Can I trigger chaotic insight to learn more? I focused on the feeling of the box in my hand. I concentrated on the movements as I closed the box, placing it back in the dark blue case. I felt the bumps as the zipper teeth closed. Holding it I tried to see any moments of energy on its surface. Any shimmer or spark.

Could I trigger Chaotic Insight to understand more? I focused on the sensation of the box in my hand, the cool weight of it. My fingers traced its edges as I slowly closed it, feeling the subtle resistance as the zipper teeth meshed together. Holding it, I turned it over, searching its surface for any flicker of energy—any shimmer, any spark that might give me a clue.

Then I sensed something from the box. I could almost taste and hear the magic humming beneath my skin. There was a pulse that seemed to sync with my heartbeat, like a beat I hadn’t known I was dancing to. A taste suddenly clicked in my mind. It was oddly reminiscent of licking the back of a postage stamp combined with a hint of nostalgia and twinkies.

Then the whole world around me shifted, a deep resonant pulse was vibrating through the air. I could feel the primal chaos of everything around me, it hit me like I was standing inches from a booming speaker. My senses became overwhelmed with something wild and untamed.

The sensation vanished as quickly as it had arrived, leaving a brief rush of dizziness in its wake. I moved my hand over the case, hoping for something else to be revealed. But there was nothing. Only the faint echo of chaos lingering through me, like a whisper fading into silence.

Whoa, I really did it. It worked!

A surge of energy rushed through me, and I felt my chest tighten with a mix of disbelief and exhilaration. My heart beat faster, almost as if it could keep pace with the rush of magic I had just triggered. A grin pulled at the corners of my mouth, unbidden but impossible to suppress. The world around me felt brighter, sharper, like I had just taken a deep breath after holding it for too long.

My dreams were coming to life. I could hardly wrap my head around the fact that this wasn’t just a fantasy. This time, it had come easier, and I could already see the link between last night and now. Still, there was something nagging at me. Something I couldn’t quite place. It was like I had forgotten something important.

Oh yeah the sensation I had woken with. What happened when I was sleeping?

I looked at the wall pulsing, urging me to follow. Did the tower interact with me somehow?

So focused on the swirling, I mindlessly put the box away and stood up, walking over to the wall as if in a trance. I was reaching out to touch it just as I received the third buff.

Fang-tastic Yogurt Fusion: Buff of the Slayer. This buff awakens your bloodthirsty craving for camaraderie, just like the Scooby Gang. Your social thirst increases—you’ll find yourself suddenly longing for cozy nights on the couch with your besties, devouring ice cream and binge-watching late-night TV. Watch out for the occasional urge to slay the mundane and embrace your inner slayer… or at least slay a pizza. You gain a bonus to speed and dexterity when coordinating tasks with others. Helping your team is your superpower—whether it’s in battle or during a movie marathon, you’re ready to lead the charge!

I burst out laughing as my vision returned. Now, if only I wasn’t alone in a tower on an apparently abandoned planet. I hope these actually stacked instead of canceling each other out.

I pushed the thought aside and let the current guide me forward, my feet moving in sync with the invisible pull toward the inner door. The sound of my footsteps bounced off the high ceiling, each echo a reminder of how vast and empty the space felt. As I neared the archway, the light around me faded. I squinted into the blackness beyond, but I couldn't penetrate the archway. I drew in a slow, deep breath and stepped forward. The air wrapped around me, dense and cool, pressing against my skin like an unseen weight. My eyes slid shut without me realizing, as if bracing for whatever lay ahead.

Opening my eyes, I found myself in an octagonal room, the floor and walls covered in faintly glowing sigils that pulsed with a barely visible light. Above me, only pitch-blackness stretched into infinity. No ceiling was in sight, just an unsettling void. My boots echoed in the emptiness as I moved cautiously, circling the space.

I paused in the center, craning my neck to stare into the darkness above. Seriously? This place is a tower, I muttered under my breath. Where’s the part where I start climbing? Frustration bubbled up, and I kicked lightly at the edge of one of the glowing sigils. The symbol flared briefly, but nothing else happened.

Shaking my head, I ran my hands over the sigils, their cool, smooth texture sending an odd tingle through my fingertips. There’s got to be something, I murmured as I tapped the stone with my knuckle, listening for any hidden hollowness, but the wall remained stubbornly solid. I leaned back, squinting at the symbols, willing them to give up their secrets. The glowing lines seemed to mock me, their light as unyielding as the stone beneath my touch.

I moved cautiously along the walls, my fingers brushing the smooth, glowing sigils as my eyes scanned their intricate shapes. My steps faltered as I froze, staring at one of the symbols. A jolt of recognition struck me. Wasn’t this one of the runes from Chronicles of the Magi Claeffen, book seven? My heart quickened as I crouched down, my hand hovering over the sigil.

Fumbling with my bag, I pulled out my felt-covered notebook, its familiar weight and soft texture grounding me. I flipped through the pages, each one filled with scribbles, sketches, and notes from years of obsession with the series. When I reached the section on book seven, my breath caught. There it was, the sigil, identical to the one etched on the wall. The realization sent a thrill through me.

I straightened up, my gaze darting over the walls with renewed purpose. My fingers traced one sigil after another, searching, until I found another match. My chest tightened with excitement. “I’m onto something,” I whispered, the words escaping before I realized I’d spoken aloud.

Flipping to another part of my notebook, I found the section where I’d painstakingly tried to translate runes, sigils, and symbols from the series. As I combed through the translation pages, my hand stilled on the sigil I’d sketched. The linked word: mass. I glanced up at the wall, my finger following the glowing outline. It was identical.

I delved into searching and translating, my focus narrowing with each sigil. About half an hour later, I paused, having translated five of them. "Alright," I muttered, "what do mass, air, fire, void, speed mean?"

A memory surfaced as my eyes darted back and forth at the glowing sigils, my mind drifting back to a Minecraft server I had spent hours on. I could almost see the water cascading through the blocks of my carefully crafted elevator, the satisfaction of watching it work perfectly. My gaze snapped back to the room around me. The arrangement of the symbols, the glowing patterns, they weren’t random. It clicked. This wasn’t just decoration; it was a magical elevator waiting to be activated. My pulse quickened as I stepped closer, my eyes scanning for what might be the key to turning it on.

I approached the fire sigil, my fingers hovering over its glowing surface. Slowly, I traced the intricate pattern, following the lines as if coaxing it to spring to life. With each stroke, the glow intensified, its light spreading outward like ripples in a pond. As I completed the design, the sigil flared brilliantly, its pulsing light casting flickering shadows across the room. I stepped back, standing before it, my heart pounding as it thrummed with energy, waiting for what might happen next.

I moved from one sigil to the next, tracing each glowing pattern with careful precision. Each time, the result was the same: the light intensified, pulsing brighter until the sigil seemed alive with energy. By the time I reached the last one, my hand hovered for a moment, hesitation gripping me.

With a deep breath, I pressed on, my fingers following the final design to completion. As the last line connected, the room's light shifted, the glow from the sigils converging into a single brilliant beam that shot upward into the void above. The air thrummed with power, and I stepped back, shielding my eyes from the dazzling display.

In my excitement, I dashed forward, drawn to the beam's brilliance like a moth to a flame. The light enveloped me instantly, a warm, electrifying sensation coursing through my body. My vision blurred, the glowing energy consuming everything around me as I stepped fully into its embrace, heart pounding with anticipation of what lay ahead.

I let out a shout of excitement, the kind you can’t hold back, like the thrill of plunging down the first drop of a rollercoaster. The beam's energy surged around me, sending a rush of exhilaration through my veins as I was swept upward, caught in its unrelenting pull.

As I was swept upward, the beam's light shifted, its brilliance dimming just enough to reveal a flicker of movement. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a shadow glide through the haze, its shape indistinct yet undeniably there. It was neither human nor entirely alien, a twisting, amorphous form that seemed to ripple against the light. My pulse quickened as I strained to focus, but the shadow vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving me wondering if it was real or just a trick of the glowing beam.