Ke’an is lying down on System’s back in deep meditation when an epiphany hits him and he opens his eyes. He flips around and looks at System’s scales. His eyes open wide as he views the unfathomable universes contained within them. Sparkling inside of her are trillions of tiny stars, nebulae and worlds. He recalls how not once has he seen her use any diagrams, inscription or incantations when she summoned food or water for him.
Ke’an slides down off of her not really sure how long he had been meditating. He walks around System’s massive body up to her face, a venture which takes nearly an hour. He looks into one of her large and tired eyes which also sparkles with tiny stars. Her breathing is staggered and sickly wet. He touches her cheek feeling the hard glassy scale beneath his hand.
“Are you ready to try again?” System says as another portal opens up and drops a stick of chalk into Ke’an’s free hand.
“I am ready but I am not going to need this.” Ke’an says with a long breath. “You could have just told me what I was doing wrong, you know.”
“I was enjoying the company…” System says as she closes her eyes. “These past few months have been fun… please proceed.”
Ke’an focus his magic into her, performing the most complex magic he ever cast and doing it without aid from a magic diagram. He realized there is no need for arcane symbols or elaborate rituals; the universe itself responds to his intent. It is in that moment he is truly one with the universe and its greater cosmic flow of power. Ke’an for a moment lost himself to the dreamlike trance as his magic mixed with reality itself. He can feel the abstract concepts that underpin reality loosen to his touch and he almost instinctively follows the paths that open to him. It is not pleasant as Ke’an has to thrust his mind into an abyss of power so grand that he is less than a speck of dust in a raging storm.
His soul is being stretched well beyond what should break it and yet he is strong. Ke’an feels an endless moment which he bears witness to all things and the veil of causality is lifted revealing it is a dream. He hears--no that is not the right word, he feels something, a presence, beyond words and beyond comprehension, ask him what he claims to be if he is not a dream. His very being is torn asunder until he is less than nothing, only the component parts of his spirit are strewn across the cosmos. He could not speak, for he had no mouth; he could not think, for he had no mind. Yet, despite being less than nothing, he proclaimed himself a thief. Though it all happens in the infinite moment, where mortals should crumble, Ke’an steals his existence from the infinite and with it comes power.
In a burst of light and energy, System’s body rapidly disintegrates into fine specks of blackened light. The energy swirls around Ke’an as he watches System vanish. He feels System’s great power to rewrite reality surge into him faster and faster. His soul is permeated with power and violated with divinity now his right to bear. No pain is comparable to having ones soul remade so completely.
“New Administrator Login detected… analyzing…” A disembodied voice says in Ke’an’s head. “You do not meet the requirements to access Administrator privileges. You have obtained an [Administrator Core]. Your body will be remade from available [Administrator Core]… analyzing… purge of unqualified material will commence now.”
What starts as a numbing pain deep inside of him becomes blinding hot. Blood and bile flows from his skin and every available orifice as if his body is rejecting its own organs. He tries to scream out in pain as he keels over to the ground. He throws up what he thought was his lunch, but in actuality is blood, teeth and his own tongue. His body is grinding itself apart removing bone and flesh in equal measure.
His body is being replaced to match his new soul which rejects his weak human form. The remaining magic left behind by System’s disintegrating body is being used as the new building material for a new one. Every minute is full of unending agony as flesh and muscle melt away only to be replaced and regrown. Hours creep by as Ke’an screams himself hoarse until the pain finally stops and he passes out in a pile of his former body. He is not permitted to rest long as the voice jolts him awake almost immediately.
“Purge of unqualified material successful… analyzing. Welcome Administrator Login Successful.” The cold disembodied voice continues.
“New Administrator profile created.” A voice rings in Ke’an’s head. “Administrator-75,353,147,861 has replaced Administrator-13. Administrator-75,353,147,861 will be redesignated to Administrator-13.”
The voice is inhuman, robotic and cold. Ke’an opens his eyes and sees he is laying in a mound of warm gore. He quickly stands up and checks himself over to make sure he is alive and whole. He runs his hands up and down his naked form frantically checking around his body with his eyes. He hops out of the pile of what used to be his body on the floor. He is unsure how he survived the ordeal, but as far as he can tell his new form is also human, although he no longer has his long hair. He sees his long platinum hair in the pile along with his former skull.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“How am I still alive?” He says as he takes a few bloody footsteps away. “Nothing like that happens when we take powers.”
“Administrator level insufficient, error… restricting Administrator privilege. Analyzing…” the disembodied voice says.
“Who is there?” Ke’an says looking around the blank room.
“Dimensional stability decreasing, analyzing…” the voice continues. “Dimensional collapse imminent. Sending request to Administrator-01 to stabilize dimensional space…”
“What are you talking about?” Ke’an yells.
“Request denied… sending request to administrator-02… request denied. Sending request administrator-03… request denied. Sending request to administrator-04… request denied. Sending request to…”
The voice continue to send out requests faster and faster to other administrators as Ke’an looks around confused. Now that system is dead the only way to leave the Reality Crucible has also vanished. After a while he decided to eat some of the leftover food while he thought of a plan to get out of the all white room. He was still covered in blood and other excrement so he didn’t want to put on any of his spare clothing until he washed off. As he ate the disembodied voice which droned on and on with requests finally came to a stop.
“...Sending request to Administrator-73,254,752… request approved. Dimensional collapse postponed. Analyzing… Performing New Administrator Welcome.”
Suddenly a window appears in front of Ke’an which causes him to flinch. This one, unlike the teleportation windows, is dim and follows Ke’an’s line of sight. Ke’an tries to touch the window and finds that his hands can not directly touch it. Words start appearing across the window.
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Job Promotion Congratulation Letter
Ke’an Dagra Strome
Clan N/A
Administrator-13
Infinity Inc.
Everywhere
Subject: Promotion Congratulation Letter
We are pleased and honored to inform you with respect that you have been promoted from [human] (LVL 15) to Administrator-13 (Level 1) in the organization. I congratulate you on behalf of the company for this achievement. As your post grows in the company your responsibility towards your work will also increase. You have achieved this promotion within the span of 20 year(s) because of your hard work and dedication. As we continue to grow we expect greater behavior and results from you and your future.
Sincerely yours,
Administrator-01 Home
Head Administrator
Infinity Inc.
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“What is this?” Ke’an states. “Did I just get a promotion?”
“Error… Administrator-13 does not meet the minimum level to stabilize local reality.” The disembodied voice states. “You do not meet qualifications to receive title: Administrator. Administrative authority has been revoked. Ability to change or alter physical and spiritual reality has been severely reduced.”
Another window pops up into Ke’an’s view.
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[World Log]
You have defeated Administrator-13 System Lock.
You have absorbed Administrator Core, you do not qualify to use this item.
You have been forcefully evolved into Administrator-75,353,147,861.
Congratulations you have been promoted to Administrator!
You have been reassigned to Administrator-13.
Your reality is unstable! Administrator-73,254,752 has accepted a request to stabilize your physical reality! To prevent your reality from breaking down please level up.
You have been bequeathed the following items; unrefined reality domain, world engine and reality crucible.
Items from System Lock’s inventory has been successfully stored in your inventory
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“Error detected… Administrator-13 does not meet the minimum requirements to utilize item [Unrefined Reality Domain]. To prevent further destabilization of dimensional space the [Unrefined Reality Domain] will be sealed please level up to access this item. Error detected Administrator-13 does not meet minimum requirements to utilize items, world engine and reality crucible. World engine and reality crucible capability will be reduced to the current level of Administrator. Current Administrator has been deemed unfit to stabilize dimensional space. Sending requests to eliminate and replace Administrator-13. Begin vote.”
“I haven’t understood most of this but I think I am Administrator-13!” Ke’an yells. “Do not eliminate! Do not eliminate me!”