Aston’s fingers traced over the pendant, no longer the plain piece of metal it once was. The embedded gemstone gleamed under the dim light, a stark contrast against the cold steel.

  Before he could think about the pendant, a sharp pulse throbbed inside his skull. Then, suddenly, Aston’s vision shifted. Faint lines of text hovered in his vision. They moved when he moved, adjusting to his line of sight as if projected directly onto his eyes.

  [Spatial core initiated. Standby mode active.]

  His breath hitched. He wasn’t reading these words off a screen. They were simply there, floating in the air. He tried waving his hand to the words but just saw them pass through the words.

  A new prompt flickered into existence.

  [Retrieving directive. Priority task detected. Pick up the crystal for awakening recording.]

  Aston’s reached out to grab the crystal. Slowly reaching it, his finger curled slightly.

  Clear. That’s what he has. The lowest tier. No potential. No future.

  His throat felt dry. What was the point of recording an awakening that wouldn’t even register? The measuring crystal at the center already told him everything he needed to know.

  His hands trembled slightly as he forced himself to reach forward.

  [Directive acknowledged. Initiating recording.]

  As Aston’s fingers brushed against the crystal, a sudden warmth pulsed through his skin. The once-dormant crystal trembled with a steady hum.

  Then without warning, a brilliant light erupted from within. The crystal blazed with a resplendent golden glow. Its radiance casting long, shifting shadows across the wall.

  The kitten flinched at the sudden brightness, its fur bristling as it let out a startled chirp. It scrambled backward, as a wary meow escaped its throat as it peered up at Aston.

  His breath paused as new text materialized before him.

  [Recording potential. Potential: Gold.]

  Gold?

  Aston sat there shocked. That wasn’t possible. The crystal back then recorded a clear potential. It said he had nothing. But now…

  “What is a gold potential?”, he muttered.

  The moment the words left his lips, a soft chime echoed in his mind. Then, more text flickered into existence.

  [Query received.]

  [Gold Potential: The highest potential of myths and legends. Said to transcend all known potentials, including Violet, Black, and White. No confirmed individual in recorded history has ever awakened with this potential. Its significance remains unquantifiable.]

  He exhaled. A myth?

  His mind reeled. He had spent the whole day thinking he was nothing. Less than nothing. He realized that the crystal back then shattered because of him. Because it couldn’t handle what he was.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  A shaky breath left his lips as he tried to process it.

  Then, another line of text flickered into existence.

  [Next directive: Ingest the contents of the green vial.]

  Aston’s eyes darted to the green vial filled with a swirling emerald liquid.

  His stomach twisted.

  “What would the green vial do?” he asked. The last one had embedded something inside his head, causing him to feel a massive headache. As much as possible, he would not want to feel it again.

  Then, without waiting, letters filled his vision.

  [Query received.]

  [Veilroot Elixir: A potent concoction that seals away one’s true potential, suppressing it beneath a controlled, gradual progression. It veils the drinker’s potential, masking their true potential as red, and allowing a slow, predetermined ascent until the restriction eventually dissipates.]

  Aston swallowed. He read the floating words. His thoughts churned. Why was this necessary? Did the ones who left this for him expect this? Were they afraid of what would happen if they knew?

  His grip tightened. The thought of hiding it gnawed at him, but deep down, he knew the answer. The world wasn’t ready for a Gold potential. Not yet…

  With a quiet exhale, he lifted the vial to his lips and drank.

  The liquid slid down to his esophagus slowly. It felt warm and tasted like sweet tea. There was no headaches that assaulted him this time - just a slow, spreading sensation, like something wrapping him. A moment later, the feeling vanished.

  New text flickered before his eyes.

  [Veilroot Elixir ingested. Concealment protocol activated. True potential hidden. Displayed potential: Red. Gradual elevation is in effect.]

  Aston lowered the empty vial while staring at the words. Then, he picked up the awakening crystal. Instead of a golden glow, a red glow started to radiate.

  [Potential: Red]

  He let out a slow breath, staring at the shifting red glow. It was hard to believe that only moments ago, it had blazed with a resplendent glow. Now, it flicked like molten metal, warm but far less blinding.

  His fingers curled around the crystal.

  This is safer.

  No one would question a red potential.

  Aston exhaled and set the crystal down. The kitten meowed softly, rubbing its head against his stomach. His gaze then shifted towards the last vial - the black one.

  But before he could reach for it, a new text materialized before his eyes.

  [Final directive reassessed.]

  [Umbral Ascent Elixir no longer required.]

  [As per protocol, this vial was to be consumed prior to the Veilroot Elixir to elevate the subject’s potential to Black. However, gold potential surpasses black. Consumption is unnecessary.]

  Aston hesitated, his fingers hovering over the black vial. If it was meant to elevate potential, then…

  His gaze shifted to the small creature curled on his lap. The kitten blinked up at him with curious, blue eyes. It had stayed by his side through his pain and confusion. It had no potential to speak of, none that he knew of.

  He asked the question before he could second guess himself.

  “... Can this be given to another? To the kitten?”

  For a moment, there was silence. Then…

  [Query received.]

  [Biological assessment: Initiating.]

  [Genetic framework: Viable]

  [Potential threshold: Expandable]

  [Warning! Initiating direct enhancement without a formal contract may lead to instability.]

  [Recommendation: Establish a contract before administering the Umbral Ascent Elixir.]

  Aston’s eyes gleamed. That’s right! He is no longer a waste. He can create contracts with spirit beasts now!