Celia's POV
After the appearance of the symbol on my hand, the days vanished like a flash of lightning.
One by one, I broke the news to everyone I considered close to me, in and out of the orphanage.
As someone can guess, their reactions were varied. Colt and the children all started crying as soon as the news that I was chosen as the Nexus reached them.
The children became so sad because of the news that they started hugging me and wouldn't let me free from their group hug.
It was a real hassle to have the children understand that it was inevitable.
The most stubborn of them all was Colt, who instigated the children to hug me tightly in the first place.
Well, he was later neutralized by May.
Seeing his eyes, begging me to save him, I could only pray that may God save his soul, because, in front of those angry eyes of May, no one else could.
The shopkeeper aunty and gym owner, whom I used to visit a lot also started crying buckets of tears when I showed them my hand.
As for my classmates, well they started looking at me with eyes full of either jealousy or sympathy.
Some students even started looking at me with eyes like I was a higher being.
But the worst of them were those pervy looks I was getting from some of the boys and one girl too.
Well, it was futile, not like it was going to change anything anyways, though it was quite refreshing to teach them a lesson when they tried to get too close to me on my way back home.
Like this, my days on earth were ending one by one and now today was finally the day of the transfer.
The whole orphanage, my friends and everyone I knew closely in the neighbourhood came to say their last goodbye to me at the orphanage's gate.
Everyone's eyes were red with tears flowing from them continuously.
Seeing everyone crying for me so much, tears started forming in my eyes too but before they could flow someone hugged me and whispered some magical words in my ear,
"Promise me you will take care of yourself and won't get entangled in fight senselessly like you do here,"[May]
Feeling the size of her bosom and hearing her voice, I knew it was May, only she had such a motherly presence to make me so much even in this heartbreaking situation.
"I will, I promise,"[Celia]
After her, I bid farewell to everyone in the orphanage, and soon enough, a government-owned car arrived to pick me up. It was supposedly sent by the authorities to transport the chosen ones from their homes to the transportation hub.
The journey to the transportation hub was a quiet one, with the silence filling the car.
Once we reached the hub he dropped me off and went back, probably to pick up another chosen one before the teleportation time ended.
The hub was of quite normal size, opposite of what I thought it would be. There was a place in the hub where chosen ones' names were taken and they were told where to go.
After waiting for around 15 minutes, my name was called and I was escorted to a room in the back.
There, a woman in a military uniform was sitting quietly. As I entered, she signalled me to sit in front of her.
She started explaining the rules of transfer as stated by the Overseer during the first batch transfer to me one by one.
The rules went something like this.
1) You are allowed to only bring one set of clothes to another world, not weighing more than 500 g.
2) You are allowed to bring four children with you, given that their age is less than 11.
3) You are allowed to bring one set of an item with you to another world, not weighing more than 2 kg.
After telling me these three rules, the lady pointed toward a cabinet filled with many kinds of weapons, from knives to a foldable spear and even some handguns.
She told me these were some of the weapons that could be taken to another world and would be provided to the chosen ones by the government for free.
I had some experience with knives, but the pair of handguns seemed more suitable to choose.
I was trained by Mrs. Anderson in many things, but the one she was most serious about was always how to use a gun and hand to hand combat.
There was also the fact that in the other world, I could have gotten more powerful weapons than these, but handguns would probably give me better protection than those weapons I had never practised using.
Thinking that, I chose the handgun.
The handguns were not very heavy compared to their other versions in the real world, probably because they were made by keeping in mind the weight limit of 2 kg.
After choosing the weapon, I was led again to the waiting area with seven more people who were supposed to transfer from there.
Then as someone opened all the lights in this hub and pointed it toward us, a beam of light struck against our eyes and with it came the sound of an announcement
"From this moment on, the transfer of the third batch will begin,"[Overseer]
With the voice slowly dissipating in the background, the light also started diminishing and at last, the teleportation portal could be seen clearly.
One by one all the seven chosen ones stepped inside the portal disappearing from this world forever and at last it was my turn to step into the unknown.
With steps filled with anxiety and fear, I stepped forward inside the portal and said my last goodbye to Earth forever.
As I stepped through the portal, I found myself surrounded by endless white. It felt like being caught in the middle of a blinding snowstorm but without the cold.
Confusion and wonder battled for space in my mind.
Suddenly, out of the white emptiness, a figure took shape.
A woman, as beautiful as a goddess, appeared, glowing softly with a welcoming aura.
I couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and uncertainty at her unreal presence.
"Welcome to the Nexus Void," [The woman]
the woman greeted me, her words echoed in the vast whiteness around us.
"Where am I ?"[Celia]
I asked, my voice shaky with nerves.
The woman, with a comforting demeanour, explained,
"You're in the Nexus Void – a place between worlds.."[The woman]
My fear began to ease a bit, but curiosity still lingered.
"Who are you? Where do you come from?"[Celia]
The woman, her form shining like starlight, replied,
"I'm Aegis, a guardian of the Nexus, created by the Overseer. I'm here to guide you through the Nexus Void, where you will get to choose the power that will help you survive the other world."[Aegis]
As Aegis spoke, the Nexus Void seemed to respond to her introduction, pulsating with rhythmic energy.
Though I was still unsure about everything, Aegis's friendly presence brought a sense of comfort in this strange, unknown place.
She continued to explain the Nexus Void and about herself.
Third Person's POV:
As Aegis spoke, a screen opened in front of Celia out of thin air.
The holographic screen before Celia displayed a series of options, each with its point cost:
1. Increase Your Age by 1 Year: +5 Points
2. Decrease Your Age by 1 Year: -5 Points
3. Change Your Gender: -25 Points
4. Skill Tree Slot:
- Slot 1
- Slot 2
- Slot 3
- Slot 4
- Slot 5
The holographic screen flickered to life, catching Celia by surprise. She looked at Aegis, a mixture of curiosity and confusion on her face.
Aegis noticed her reaction and smiled.
"Ah, that's the Skill Selection Interface. It's how you'll choose the abilities that will accompany you on this journey."[Aegis]
Celia furrowed her brow.
"Abilities? Like magic or superpowers?"[Celia]
Aegis chuckled.
"In a way, yes. Think of them as extraordinary skills tailored to your strengths. Let me give you a glimpse."[Aegis]
As Aegis explained, holographic images materialized, showcasing snippets of the abilities she mentioned earlier.
"Take Arcane Mastery, for instance," [Aegis]
Aegis gestured towards the display.
"It allows you to harness the power of arcane energies. You can cast spells, manipulate elements, and unlock the mysteries of magic."[Aegis]
Celia nodded, her eyes lighting up with intrigue.
"And Martial Prowess?"[Celia]
Aegis continued,
"Martial Prowess focuses on enhancing your combat skills. You'll gain heightened agility, strength, and proficiency with weapons. It's perfect for those who prefer a hands-on approach."[Aegis]
Celia grinned.
"Sounds like something Jake would have loved." [Celia]
Aegis nodded.
"Now, God's Eye. This skill enhances your perception. You'll be attuned to the subtlest details, foreseeing dangers, and gaining insights others might miss."[Aegis]
Caelia's interest deepened.
"That could be handy."[Celia]
Aegis went on,
"Phoenix's Tear offers regeneration abilities. Wounds heal faster, and you'll recover from injuries that would otherwise be debilitating."[Aegis]
Celia, contemplating the potential resilience, started biting her lips,
"What about Nullify Aura?"[Caelia]
Aegis explained,
"Nullify Aura allows you to temporarily nullify the abilities of a single person. It creates a void-like space where both you and your target lose all powers. However, it comes with a cooldown of two years."[Aegis]
Celia raised an eyebrow.
"A cooldown?"[Celia]
Aegis nodded, her tone serious.
"Yes and during those 2 years, you also lose all your abilities. It's a strategic move with its risks."[Aegis]
Celia absorbed the information, her mind processed the implications of each skill, even if not very effectively.
"Okay, got it. Now, how do I choose?"[Caelia]
Aegis said calmly,
"Skills are mainly divided into three types."[Aegis]
Pointing to a holographic display, Aegis continued,
"Firstly, we have the Versatile Skill Enhancements (VSE), offering a variety of skills to adapt to different situations. You can choose up to five from this category."[Aegis]
"Next, we have the Individual Mastery Skills (IMS), focusing on personal development in specific areas. You can allocate up to three skill slots for IMS."[Aegis]
"Lastly, there's the Tactical Deployment Abilities (TDA), unique skills that can provide strategic advantages. You're allowed one TDA skill in your arsenal."[Aegis]
"You have 100 points to spend. Each skill has a different point cost, and you can mix and match based on your preferences. Remember, you can choose a maximum of one TDA, three IMS, and five VSE skills. This is your chance to tailor your toolkit according to your preference."[Aegis]
Celia took a deep breath, knowing the weight of the decision settling in. The journey awaited, and these skills would be her companions in the unknown, helping her survive the journey ahead.
**Celia's POV:**
My heart raced as the screen filled with an array of choices, each one representing a unique skill or ability I could acquire.
I scrolled through the options, murmuring the names to myself. "Teleportation Mastery... no. Reality Bending... no. Elemental Affinity... no." The list seemed endless, yet none resonated with me.
Then, my eyes lingered on "Arcane Prowess (15 points)." Intrigued, I read its description:
**Arcane Prowess:**
*Unleash the mysteries of arcane energy. This skill grants proficiency in casting spells, manipulating magical forces, and tapping into the ethereal realm. As you advance, new spells and enchantments become available, ranging from protective wards to offensive incantations.*
The description captivated my imagination, but I hesitated. Consulting with Aegis, I asked,
"What do you think about Arcane Prowess?"[Celia]
Aegis responded,
"It's a versatile skill, allowing you to harness magical forces. It could complement your other chosen skills well. However, the decision is yours."[Aegis]
On Aegis's advice, I also chose "Martial Prowess (10 points)" for my second skill.
The screen shifted, presenting the next set of options. My eyes got fixed on "Nature's Bounty (25 points)."
**Nature's Bounty:**
*Forge a connection with the natural world. This skill enhances your physical abilities, agility, and senses through an affinity with nature. As you progress, you'll gain the ability to communicate with wildlife and manipulate elements of the environment.*
Smiling, I envisioned the harmony between myself and nature.
"Nature's Bounty provides a balance of strength and connection. It aligns well with Martial Prowess, granting you both physical prowess and a link to the environment. What are your thoughts?"[Aegis]
With a nod, I confirmed my choice. After some scrolling, another skill caught my attention – "Phoenix's Resurgence (20 points)."
**Phoenix's Resurgence:**
*Harness the essence of the mythical phoenix. This skill offers the ability to regenerate from injuries, rise from the ashes, and temporarily enhance physical capabilities. As you progress, the resurrection speed and potency increase.*
Intrigued by the idea of resilience and rebirth, I chose Phoenix's Resurgence as my third skill. I scrolled some more when one skill caught my interest. I then looked at Aegis and said,
"What about this skill '***#₹@₹₹'#@@' (50 points)?"[Celia]
Aegis responded to my sudden inquiry in a calm tone,
"Oh, this one was here. Well if used correctly, it will be one of the best abilities anyone has chosen till now.However, the decision is yours, though it looks like you don't have enough points left to buy it."[Aegis]
I, while reluctant, started scrolling again when Aegis said,
"But it's not like nothing can be done. You know you can get enough coin to buy that skill for four years of your life."[Aegis]
Even though she has the appearance of an angel, she looked like the devil to me as she spoke those words, and in the blink of an eye became 23 from 19.
After buying the last skill I needed, I turned toward Aegis. Seeing my face, Aegis nodded, respecting my decision.
"Your choices are certainly unique, but alas, it's time for you to start your journey. Now, let's proceed with the skills being incorporated into your soul and your teleportation to Octavaria."[Aegis]
I, preparing myself for the journey that awaited me and finally bidding farewell to Aegis, leaving behind the now-familiar white space for the unknown.
After Celia Left:
Aegis said in an amused voice, "I thought the glitch had been repaired already, but then this ability should not have appeared anymore. This can be problematic. Well, whatever, not like it comes under my jurisdiction anyway. It will be fun to watch her, though. The last one with an ability similar to hers created quite chaos. I can just hope she entertains me just as much as he did." [Aegis]
With a mysterious laugh, Aegis disappeared in thin air, similar to how she entered the white space in the first place.
Author's note
So this is the second chapter. Well, that is quite self-explanatory. So here is something which is not. No one was commenting on the novel so I have thought of two reasons, first that people do not liking the story or writing style. Second that people cannot judge clearly as not many chapters are available. So I have thought of not saying anything till the next 20 chapter are released. One thing more is that not many people are reading it right now, I really forgot about that.
So this message is to tell you two things mainly.
1) I am not gonna Stop writing even if very low no of readers read it.
2) Please comment on it. I promise I will improve it. And in future if you see that more than 30 chapter are released, you should still comment as I always go back to edit old chapter.
3)I will release 1 chapter per week from now on, I also have edited previous chapter and a lot of story have changed so read them again if you want.
Well this become quite long so let's end it with a beautiful quote from me
"Celia is choosing skills like she's in a game show. If her new abilities come with a 'How to Survive Other Worlds for Dummies,' we're golden. If not, well, at least she'll have a funny story for the Nexus Void "did not survive" club." [Tridev301]
Okay bye
