My essence was happy, enjoying being surrounded by this Void. My soul, of course, a little less so, fragmented on all sides by this warm, restful Void. This Void invited me to sleep for eternity in its embrace.

 

This Void, catalyzed in the physical world, subverted the reason of the world and modified its causality. The Will of the World was the Will of the Void, at least in part and for a time. At least for the time being, the Void was all that had to exist and all that could exist.

 

But every moment must end, and this was soon the case for the Void. The energy flow sent to the Void diminished before disappearing altogether, the soul hardly having enough power to give. Thus, the Void's Will collapsed, preventing it from imposing itself on the World.

 

The Void had to withdraw into this etheric space, where souls rest, far from this physical world hostile to its existence. But even this etheric plane is aggressive to the Void, which can only survive thanks to the soul attached to my essence, like a parasite.

 

But the Soul would have enabled it to survive forever and ever. The Soul could have provided a safe haven for this Void, excluded from everyone else. The Void needs the Soul to be complete as much as the Soul needs the Void. My essence is... These were my last thoughts before my mind awoke and my essence's lethargy ended.

 

I slowly regained consciousness, first on the etheric plane, then on the spiritual plane, and finally on the physical plane. Suddenly, my senses returned, and I began to scream at the top of my lungs. No, I couldn't even cry, as my voice couldn't reach such a high pitch.

 

I didn't even know where to begin in my disarray, every surface, however minor, of my body, mind, and soul tormenting me with intolerable suffering. It took at least a few minutes for me to put the pain out of my mind.

 

I scanned my surroundings with half-closed eyes, quickly taken aback by what I saw... or didn't see. And even that was only an understatement since it took me a long time before I saw anything so strange again. Indeed, I could see nothing, not a single body on the horizon, except that of my sister.

 

The humans had disappeared, and maybe they were gone. At least, that was my thought until I saw their clothes and tools. It's strange to leave your belongings behind; after all, it was quicker to get away with your clothes than to take the time to take them off.

 

It didn't make any sense, especially as the clothes were arranged so that they had all fallen off simultaneously. It was as if the people had disappeared, simultaneously leaving their clothes to fall off.

 

Nevertheless, such an idea seemed absurd and inexplicable unless one considered that my Void had fulfilled my wish fantastically. The Void was incredible and extremely useful, a sincere thought that crossed my mind and made me smile broadly.

 

But there was another thing that puzzled me about the Void. How could my soul be in one piece if it had manifested itself in the physical world? Indeed, up until now, I'd only used Void for small tasks, like the latch and clasp.

 

I certainly hadn't used it on such a large scale, and the Void didn't escape into the air; it only escaped upon direct contact with a tool endowed with mysterious strength. However, those times had put my soul to the test, irreversibly damaging it – minor damage, yes, but damage nonetheless.

 

In that case, it would have taken an inordinate amount of energy for the Void to extricate itself from my body and color the environment with Our Will. But this was hardly the case. Naturally, I felt physically weak, mentally numb, and in my soul.

 

My instincts told me that I had irrevocably lost physical and mental energy. My physical and mental stats must have dropped. That is, if such things existed.

 

As I spoke these words, I was seized by a kind of horrible white noise accompanied by enigmatic language, as if something were trying to tune a frequency and failing miserably.

 

Fortunately, the entity must have given up, for the torment soon ceased, and I could once again contemplate a pure and delicate silence, at least outside my body. The sharp pains in every part of my being gradually gave way to a dull ache before becoming simply exhaustion.

 

It still took me almost an hour to be able to stand up. It was a real mystery that my soul was only exhausted, without any irreversible after-effects. Even more bizarre was the repair of inevitable tears that were irreparable or were supposed to be.

 

But even that seemed anecdotal in the face of the most absurd phenomenon. My soul had strengthened and, in rare places, mingled with my Void. The Nature of my soul had changed slightly in those places, discreetly approaching my Void.

 

I didn't know the implications of this, but at this point, I became attached to the Void, with immeasurable new powers and equally debilitating new constraints. However, the constraints only manifested themselves when I forbade specific actions deemed immoral.

 

So I ran with great difficulty to Systalia. And I soon realized that my physical and mental stats had dropped drastically. I wished they had strengthened like my soul, too, but I could only weep at the impossibility.

 

I breathed out in relief to find Systalia with a body entirely healed by the Void. She looked alive, and I could only wait beside her for her to wake up. At least, I'd have thought so if the tools of these humans hadn't caught my eye.

 

So, I decided to examine these instruments until my colleague woke up. And what a surprise it was to discover that they were bags filled with parchments similar to those that had been transformed into spells. I had obtained twelve storage units and sixty scrolls.

 

Moreover, they were more spacious than they appeared at first glance. Some mysterious force must have been linked to them, especially as geometric shapes crawled all over them. The geometric shapes are intimately linked to the mysterious force of this world.

 

I really had to learn their nature and add them to my arsenal. I had to increase my power at all costs, and to a lesser extent my sister's, so that I would no longer be powerless or at a loss when it came to the choices I had to make.

 

But this also meant finding a goal, a guiding principle for my decisions. I had to find an ideal to reach, the Ideal that this soul would have had, my Ideal. It was with new determination that I looked to the future, the search for this ideal becoming a long-term goal.

 

In the short term, however, there were two things I had to do. Firstly, ask Systalia about her powers, geometric shapes, and mysterious forces in general. I could no longer afford to be afraid of casting suspicion on myself if I ever asked for information that was too obvious to the inhabitants of these lands.

 

Next, we had to devise a plan to sneak into town. The clothes of these humans, in better condition than ours, whether aesthetically or in the absence of foul odors, could help in this objective.

 

These clothes could inspire confidence in others unless they were recognizable. In this case, it would be to our disadvantage if these humans were feared in the city or if they were part of a larger group.

 

Ultimately, putting on these clothes could mean usurping the authority and popularity of these humans. Despite this, I decided to put them on anyway. As much as I disliked it, I had to take a risk, and our current clothes could only make us look shady.

 

And finally, I had to understand how these scrolls and my new power worked. If I could understand them, then I'd have the power to survive and search for my Ideal in peace.

 

It was only after a few hours that my sister awoke. She seemed dazed and confused, looking around with an expressionless face. Until she spotted me in her field of vision, her eyes brightened with understanding; at least, that was my interpretation of her expression.

 

I joined her, helping her to her feet, while she looked at me with a surprised and puzzled face. Once up, she stared straight at me, declaring with an agitated expression: "Where's the group of humans? Why am I alive? Why are we alive? What's happened to us? How is it possible that we're alive? By what miracle…"

 

Deciding to calm her down, I put my hand over her mouth and intimated silence before replying softly: "No need to be agitated! You're usually a bit more composed... Especially as I'm the one who tends to get in such a state. Just take a deep breath! If you can relax, I'll try to answer your questions... at least what I understand myself."

 

I gave her some time to breathe and get out of her anxious state. I recognized this state: it was like waking up after a traumatic event. The mere sight of Systalia in this state brought back my bad memories.

 

And even if they were very recent, I could only recall the facts with difficulty. It must have been the famous mental fog that protects us from traumas by unconsciously burying them in the limbo of the mind.

 

So I spoke again with a faraway look, puzzled by how I presented my lack of knowledge: "I can't answer your questions, as I'm quite taken aback by the turn of events myself. However, I can offer you my hypotheses. Would you be willing to hear them?"

 

She lowered her eyes, a concentrated expression appearing on her face, before huffing and nodding in approval.

 

Even though I'd been curious about her thoughts, at the moment, I could only continue: "Know that all this is only my supposition; perhaps nothing is true in these words. I think these humans are... dead. The proof is in all the clothes and tools they left behind. As for the fact that they didn't leave a corpse or your miraculous healing, it's all due to my power. That's all I'd say. Besides, it seems you have a mysterious power, too."

 

She scrutinized me for long minutes before finally lowering her head with a defeated, resigned expression.

 

With a solemn expression, she lifted her face as if about to confide: "You know... I thought I was an asset to this group, both in fighting strength and knowledge. So I felt a little superior to you and wondered why I had to put up with such a worthless, unintelligent ball and chain. Of course, I was indebted to you for finding and caring for me, so I'd never have put those feelings into practice. But it's true that part of me sincerely thought I had you pegged right. But I realized how wrong and arrogant I was. After all, you've saved me a second time, and I can only curse my incompetence."

 

As she exhaled, lowering her eyes, an indescribable expression on her face, I began to whisper to her, "You know, I'd never blame you for that. After all, what you said about me is true; I'm certainly not as strong as you think. We all have weaknesses, moments we wanted, just as we both have moments to bury. In many ways, we're not so different, and that's why I made you my sister. Perhaps one day we could become true soul mates, don't you think?"

 

Her face was tinged with surprise, her eyes scrutinizing me intently, and she looked like she wanted to comment on something. Although, in the end, she relented and only asked me to leave here now, to avoid being found by other groups of people. If these humans belonged to a larger group, that group might send others to the site when they didn't see these humans return.

 

So I showed Systalia the clothes and objects and told her about my plan to put them on. Fortunately, I didn't have to argue, as she immediately agreed. The quality of the clothes had no doubt put her in agreement; she must have been fed up with those bits of fabric with holes that literally reeked of death.

 

While my comrade inspected the bags and scrolls, I took the opportunity to start phase one of the plan. First, I decided to ask her about the mysterious force and geometric shapes. Her power was too personal and perhaps too delicate a subject for me to delve into.

 

At the end of my line of questioning, she gave me a doubtful look while at the same time wearing an expression of sincere astonishment. My question must have really disturbed her; I felt I'd once again stated truths that were supposed to be common knowledge.

 

Finally, she recovered from her confusion to face me with a puzzled face and murmured: "Are you really sure you're from this world? I know it's absurd, but sometimes it's like you were never born in this world. When you're born, you know the basics about the System. So, it surprises me that someone would make such a request. Either way, as you wish, I won't delve into this inconsistency, and maybe that makes you interested. Maybe she really is my hope."

 

She enunciated this last sentence, troubling, to say the least, in an almost inaudible voice. She had expectations of me, and part of me was happy about that, while another wanted to determine whether this constituted a future danger.

 

In any case, this System was omnipresent, so why didn't I feel its presence. Systalia spoke of the System without doubting the veracity of its existence. What had made her think that? I had to dig into it to learn more about this book.

 

I hadn't forgotten that the word “System” was the only one that was readable, and that couldn't have been by chance. Did I want to learn more about the System? If so, to what end? Or maybe it was just a coincidence, and I was overthinking things. I had to learn more.

 

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the beginning of his explanation: "To cut a long story short, geometric shapes are used to channel what you call the mysterious force, which is actually mana. It's a power to influence the reason of the world within the limits of one's Authority. The geometric shapes are called mana circuits and are engravings of spells that can attract energy to themselves to function. Spells are the use of mana to influence the environment. Do you understand?"

 

If I understood correctly, these "engravings" constituted both the tools' hardware and software. Hardware because of their ability to attract the mana necessary for their operation. Software, because of its layout, in particular runes, is similar to a programming language.

 

This knowledge immediately struck me, as I'd never heard the words "hardware", "software" or "programming language". A memory came to mind of rooms with tools and screens. At the time, I had the impression of having experienced these tools. I even had the deep conviction that this knowledge had been a cause of my amnesia.

 

Suddenly, I remembered that I couldn't stand cogitating while my comrade waited for an answer. I nodded in the affirmative before asking her about Permissions. It was something she'd mentioned but never explained, no doubt because of the interruption to our conversation.

 

Again, she huffed as if she thought I was a hopeless case. I'd been offended by this attitude, and I believe a pouty pout had even escaped me. At least it was a good sign that the tension was slowly but surely easing between us and that we were starting to get closer.

 

Wanting to continue this little game, she spoke with a touch of confidence and contempt: "You see, Permissions are what the System allows us to see and use from its interface! The higher our Permissions level, the more we can observe and analyze elements of our interface. We can also modify certain elements of our interface or even those of others, depending on our Permission level and the nature of our Magic."

 

She finished her speech by raising an eyebrow to signify her superiority. Although I could see she was faking it, I wanted to respond to her provocation. No need to tell me; it was a childish feeling to have. So now that I was young once! Afterward, we all know that it's just a false excuse we come up with when we don't want to face up to our past behavior.

 

In any case, one point puzzled and disturbed me, and that was what she called an "interface". What was this interface for? Could I see it? If so, how could I? And above all, what use did this interface have?

 

Magic also raised questions. What was the difference between Magic and Authority, given that both were linked to mana? My last question was then apparent, and I called my dear, sweet sister every beautiful name I could think of while imitating a cute expression.

 

At least I tried, but my imitation was not convincing, as Systalia immediately chuckled at my poor performance. I wanted so badly to disappear into the wind; I wasn't about to attempt such a performance again for a long time.

 

Unfortunately, that question would have to wait as distant noises forced us to flee discreetly. We would hardly make the same mistake twice, even if it was the sound of a random object.

 

I didn't stand a chance; any interesting conversation was interrupted. And unfortunately, it didn't get much better after that. I won't dwell on the subject any longer. You don't want to listen any longer to the mad ramblings of an old Soul.

 

Just as we had left the room, I caught a glimpse of someone entering from the corner of my eye. I could breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that we were getting safer with every passing second. I was relieved and a little disturbed by the events and their outcome.

 

I turned my head one last time, leaving my anguish and despair behind. For now, the future lay before me with hope and apprehension. The hope of being able to survive on my own strength, and the nervousness of meeting new challenges.

 

And it was in this stampede that we had left this area, the place of my first crime and the loss of my innocence. Something had changed in me that day, I'm sure, even if this new paradigm was only in bud.

 

But it remains to be seen whether what this bud produced was good or bad. I don't yet have the answer; I only know it will give birth to a flamboyant, misty tree.

 

But before that, I had to arrive in the city of our next eventful adventures, accompanied by bags of scrolls, a charming girl, a mysterious book, and my new Will.

 

From now on, the world would face me, whether I wanted it to. And the World would confront me, whether it wanted to or not. The confrontation of two existences, neither beneficial nor harmful, with everything opposing them... except perhaps their powerlessness.