The world vanished.
One moment he was riding across the ruined land. The next, everything turned black. Fang, the sky, the ground—all of it disappeared. Abel found himself standing in an endless sea of pure magical energy. The surface beneath him rippled like a living ocean of power. Above him was only darkness.
A voice far colder and more absolute than any system window resonated directly into his soul.
『Astral Skill conditions have been fulfilled』
『Registering…』
『Astral Skill: Khaos — Lord of Null has been registered』
As the voice spoke, Abel could feel his consciousness slipping away slowly. It was as if he was going to sleep. He didn't understand what was happening.
Astral Skill...Khaos? What is...happening?
It was far too difficult to form thoughts. But as the voice spoke, he felt a sense of...deja vu. As if this wasn't the first time this had happened.
Have...we... met before?
The voice didn't answer his question; instead, the urge to let himself go continued to get stronger as he slowly sank into the darkness of his own mind.
I...I can't lose myself here. I can't...I can't...
And just like that, Abel lost consciousness.
---
The voice in question continued talking. Not to Abel anymore, but to the very skill that was just awakened in him
『Report: Adaptation progress: 12%… 27%… 41%… Failed.』
『Re-executing adaptation sequence...Failed.』
『Re-executing...Failed』
The sea of mana began to rise, gathering around the unconscious Abel. It was a stream of light that radiated with colors. Some known, some never seen before, but the power it possessed was more than enough to take on all of the Ten Dragons at once.
『Report: Individual Abel MorningStar has been found to possess a copy of System Cardinal.』
『Attempting to delete: 5%...20%...32%...Failed』
『Deletion seems to be prevented by Khaos — Lord of Null』
『Attempting Overdrive....Failed』
『Re-executing...Failed』
『Re-executing...Failed』
『Report: System Cardinal will attempt to negotiate with Khaos — Lord of Null...Failed』
『Khaos — Lord of Null has rejected the offer. Attempting to negotiate again.』
『...Failed. Attempting to negotiate again』
『Khaos — Lord of Null has attempted to negotiate...offer...accepted』
『Beginning body reconstruction』
The streams of light surrounding Abel's body began to spiral around closer to him. They spiraled around until they condensed and formed a cocoon of magical energy. Inside was the figure of a small boy, no older than seven.
The figure within began to glow a deep purple hue. Even within the multi-colored cocoon, it still stuck out like a sore thumb.
『Converting Abel MorningStar's body into pure Chaos Energy』
『13%...54%...76%... Chaos Energy core complete』
The figure's body started to warp inward, forming a purple core inside the cocoon.
『Begin Body Materialization』
Shortly after, the cocoon of magical energy began to twist around the core as well. Some of the energy was absorbed into the core, while the rest continued to form something around it.
『Body Materialization Complete.』
Once it was finished, the core shone like a star, and the magical energy surrounding it began to take a more... human-like shape.
A body formed, followed by a pair of arms and legs. A head formed, and lines of magical energy began flowing downward like hair.
Finally, the energy solidified, and the excess energy was released as a burst.
Within the darkness, a figure had formed. It had long, black hair and golden, almond-shaped eyes, hidden beneath its eyelids. It had pointed, elf-like ears, and its appearance was rather feminine; while its height had increased, it lacked a few essential parts a boy would need; yet it radiated an aura so deep and twisted that it made even System Cardinal stop in its tracks.
『...Body Reconstruction Complete』
『Astral Skill: Khaos — Lord of Null has fully synchronized with the vessel』
Deep within the soul of the figure, its own skill called out to it. A skill which had been there since it was born, a skill that watched its growth and a skill that, more than ever, has wanted to talk to its master from the very beginning.
A soul which should have been born, but instead was replaced with another. A soul in the form of a skill. For the first time in its existence spoke.
Wake up...master.
The golden-eyed figure opened its eyes.
---
"By the time I came to, I was in the darkness again, except this time my body was radiating with magical energy and my appearance had changed. Then the world returned to normal, and then I realized I was...naked."
Claudia just stares at me, slack-jawed. Did I say something... was it that I said I woke up naked?
Suddenly, another hug is thrown at me, and Claudia is squealing like a kid in a candy shop.
"You went through an Astral Evolution!"
Is that what it's called?
"Abel, do you know how lucky you are? No, wait- luck had nothing to do with it. It just means you worked hard enough to earn it. I'm so proud of you!" She says as she grabs both my hands.
Wow, I never knew this Astral Evolution was such a big deal. Did you?
My knowledge is limited to what you know or have previously learned. What an unfortunate circumstance I've been placed into.
For your own sake, I'll ignore that last part.
"Are Astral Evolutions that special?"
"Having an Astral Skill in general is special!" she responds.
Oh really? Maybe this should show you just how much I'm worth.
Despite the fact that I heard that, I intentionally ignore Khaos's remark. I don't exactly want it to get a bigger ego than it already has.
"Alright, let me explain, Astral Evolutions are–"
To sum up what she said, Astral Skills possess the ability to alter the world at a conceptual level. Because of that, there are only thirty people in history who have ever gained Astral Skills.
Astral Skills themselves have a hierarchy. Genesis, Primordial, and Sovereign.
When a person unlocks an Astral Skill at the level of a Primordial, System Cardinal—The origin of the world— pulls them into its source. The Chasm.
No one knows what happens during the evolution, but when the person comes back, their physical strength, mana, aura, and other attributes are significantly increased. They also gain some resistance to pain, elements and blades. Which kind of explains why I'm not in pain even though I was partially hit by Azar's attack.
Their appearance also changes. For example, the user of the Astral Skill Kratos — The Iron Lord, was once a weak grunt. But after his Astral Evolution, he grew three feet, became more handsome, and gained lots of muscle.
Only five people have ever undergone an Astral Evolution.
"And look at this, my own brother went through one," Claudia remarks.
She locks me in a hug and lifts me.
Whoa...how strong are you? I think to myself.
But wow, really, I gained an Astral Skill and went through an Astral Evolution. It's a shame I couldn't stay awake and witness it.
After what seems like an eternity, Claudia finally regains her composure and puts me down.
I can still see that she wanted to keep on hugging me but chose to let me go.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to ask, but...Who is she?" Claudia asks while pointing at Astra.
The smile on Claudia's face vanishes in a flash, replaced with a concerned look.
"She's my...summon," I respond. It might not be the full truth, but it's not exactly a lie either. It's a mixture of both.
"Uh huh," she says, obviously still skeptical.
"Take off your clothes."
Woah. That was a bit random. There's no way I actually heard that correctly. Yeah, my hearing must be shot. Yeah, that's it.
"Sorry, could you repeat that? I heard you tell me to get naked. But obviously I must have heard wrong."
"Nope, you heard me. We're going to take a bath together. You cool with that?"
No, obviously not. How could I be okay with that? Despite once being a god, I am technically a guy. There's no way I can get into the bath with a girl, much less my sister.
About the "guy" part, you're actually—
"No way, I'm not getting in with you."
"Oh really. Oh well, too bad."
My sister grabs my hand and drags me to the door. As we pass Astra, I immediately send her a message...
"Help me!"
"...Good luck, Master."
Which was declined in a heartbeat.
Damn you, Astra.
Claudia immediately drags me to the bathhouse located a few minutes away from my room.
"Why are we doing this?" I ask her.
"Your body is covered in dirt. Do you really think I'll allow you to continue being dirty? Besides, I'm a little dirty myself. It'll save us time if we both just clean ourselves at once."
I can see the logic there, but still, come on.
When we finally arrive, Claudia immediately begins taking off my clothes.
I try to use Trinity several times, actually, but for some reason I can't.
That was me. Sorry, but you have no reason to run. You are dirty, so you should just wash up.
That's not the point here. I'm a guy!
...look down.
As soon as Khaos said it, Claudia immediately pulled my pants down.
Look down.
At his words, I looked down, expecting to see something.
Except—
"There's nothing there."
"There's nothing there."
Both Claudia and I stare at the spot where my...sex organ is supposed to be. Then we stare at each other.
Claudia then flashes me a smirk.
"Guess my little brother became my little sister during his evolution. "
Told you.