Cosmic Ruler

As Nexus, Myne, and Astralium materialized, they each gazed at Aiden, who was still fast asleep, leaning against the tree.

"Hmm, I have to say, it was worth it," Astralium said first, breaking the silence.

Hearing him, Myne pursed her lips and looked at Astralium with anger. "Do you like seeing Aiden like this?" she asked, her voice filled with anger.

"That’s not what I meant." Astralium turned his gaze to her and replied. "In the pursuit of power, one has to walk through fire and water. This is nothing in comparison," he said in an emotionless voice.

"Okay, don’t fight," Nexus interjected, stopping Myne just before she was going to lash out at Astralium.

Astralium fell silent while Myne turned her gaze away with a huff.

"It’s, as Astralium said, that the pursuit of power is never easy. One has to work as if they will die tomorrow if they want to achieve success," Nexus sighed and said.

She then bent down to Aiden, caressing his cheek. As she did, a strand of energy emerged from her and silently entered Aiden.

Suddenly, the sky inside the Origin Core world darkened as a cube manifested and hovered above. It seemed to be gazing at Nexus.

Strange voices began to emanate from the cube. Nexus dropped to her knees as she heard it, while Myne and Astralium were flung away, crashing against the World Walls.

Nexus, still bowing, looked at them and asked, "What do you want?"

The cube spun and spoke again in a language only known to Nexus, who was born out of the cube herself.

Nexus weakly nodded, and then the cube vanished.

Myne and Astralium, seeing the cube vanish, rushed to Nexus and asked what had happened.

"Nothing; it was my fault. I helped Aiden more than was necessary, so I was punished," Nexus shook her head and said.

"What is the punishment?" Myne frowned and asked.

"I can’t help Aiden for the next ten years, nor can he access the system. It will be like he has to work on his own from now on for the next ten years," Nexus said, causing Myne and Astralium to fall silent.

"Doesn’t it seem like Aiden is being punished rather than you?" Astralium remarked.

Nexus wearily smiled and explained, "Aiden and I are connected. A blessing for him is a blessing for me, and a punishment for him is a punishment for me, and vice versa."

Myne sighed and asked, "Can we help him?"

"Yes, you two can. He hasn’t forbidden you," Nexus said, and then, after a pause, she continued, "Tell Aiden I fell asleep due to certain circumstances, and he won’t be able to use the cube or system for the next ten years."

Myne nodded, and then everyone silently left, lest they once again incur the wrath of the cube.

The cube, now in the soul sea of Aiden, looked at all of them. Seeing none of them near Aiden anymore, it stopped spinning and once again stood still inside the soul sea.

Aiden, oblivious to all that had transpired, stirred slightly in his sleep, his body still recovering from the intense process he had undergone. The path ahead was now more challenging, but with his spirits by his side and his own determination, he was ready to face whatever came his way.

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The little strand of energy that Nexus had given him reached his soul and began to dissipate. It soon vanished, leaving no trace. None except the cube and Nexus knew the purpose of that energy.

As Aiden slept, exhausted from his intense efforts to secure a safer future, he remained blissfully unaware that his future had just become more perilous. He now only had himself and his spirits from this world and his previous world to rely on.

Nexus’s energy had subtly strengthened his soul, a silent gift meant to fortify him for the trials ahead. This hidden support was crucial, though Aiden would not realize its significance for some time.

When Aiden finally awoke, he felt a profound sense of rejuvenation. His body was stronger, his mind clearer. He stood up, stretching and feeling the difference in his muscles and bones.

He noticed something was missing and instinctively reached out to access the system. There was no response. Puzzled, he tried again, but the system remained silent. It was then he recalled Nexus’s warning.

"Nexus? Are you there?" he called out, hoping for a reply.

There was a moment of silence before Myne materialized before him. "Aiden, Nexus has... fallen asleep due to certain circumstances. You won’t be able to use the cube or the system for the next ten years."

Aiden’s eyes widened slightly, and he asked in a worry-filled tone, "What happened to him?"

Myne smiled slightly, clearly happy with Aiden’s response. ’I’m glad he didn’t say something like, "Now what will I do without the system?"’

"Why are you smiling?" Aiden’s voice brought her out of her thoughts.

"Well, it is a happy thing as Nexus is undergoing evolution, so he fell asleep," Myne responded.

Aiden nodded and then said, "Well, I had hoped he would talk to me before falling asleep, but probably it was too late for him. Knowing him, he probably blabbered about how I’d manage without him and whatnot."

"I should have let him know he could undergo his evolution without any worries," Aiden sighed as he mumbled.

Nexus, observing them from her hidden vantage, sighed inwardly. ’Why does Aiden keep mistaking me for a man? Just because my voice is slightly heavy... I guess I’ll just have to accept it for now.’

"Well, anyway, I can always work something out," Aiden said with determination.

Myne’s expression softened. "You still have us. Astralium and I can assist you. We won’t let you face this alone." Stay connected with novelbuddy

Aiden took a deep breath, processing the information. "Thank you, Myne. I’ll need all the help I can get."

Astralium appeared, adding, "Your path has become more difficult, but remember, true strength comes from within. The system was a tool, but you are the true source of your power."

Aiden nodded, feeling a mix of determination and trepidation. "I understand. I’ll do my best."

Aiden nodded, feeling a mix of determination and trepidation. "I understand. I’ll do my best."

Myne and Astralium exchanged a glance, their resolve mirroring Aiden’s. They would support him through this challenging period, helping him harness his potential and grow stronger.

"Though I will miss that bastard, well, let’s just work hard enough so that bastard won’t brag we’re nothing without him," Aiden smirked and said.

Seeing this, Myne nodded while Astralium went back into his Soul Sea, saying, "It seems you no longer need consoling."

Aiden, seeing him vanish, shrugged and said, "He’s still the same no-fun guy."

Myne shook her head too and told him, "Just go out now. It’s already the second day." Saying so, she vanished too.

Standing alone, Aiden looked back at the pond of energies. He kneeled there and touched it, but this time, instead of feeling pain, he felt his body rejuvenating.

Aiden, shocked, mumbled, "Another benefit of undergoing transformation... now I have an elixir-like health potion."

He then filled up a few glass bottles and, closing his eyes, willed himself to come out.

Aiden opened his eyes and found himself back in his room. He sprawled comfortably on the bed, feeling the softness beneath him. His mind drifted back to Nexus and the system, but he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the journey ahead.

"Today is the fourth day, huh? Three more days and then we will reach the fabled academy for juniors," Aiden mumbled.

"Pity, I can no longer access the system, or I would have at least seen my improvements precisely," Aiden sighed, then stood up and sat at the corner of the bed.

Standing up, he walked to the mirror and looked at himself. The mirror reflected a young kid of 10 to 12 years old, with an upper body naked and packed with dense but lean muscles. His blue eyes felt like endless oceans, while his silver hair gave him the look of royalty. The towel covered his lower part, but the muscles outlined beneath it showed just how well-built this kid’s body was.

As for his face, it was enough to charm even the gods, with perfect features, sharp sword-like brows, and a defined jawline that spoke volumes of his future beauty.

Aiden studied his reflection, noting the physical changes from his recent transformation. His body, though young, was a testament to his hard work and the trials he had endured. The process of rebuilding himself, the pain, and the challenges had all contributed to this moment.

" well, this is just the first of the many transformation" The endless depth oceanic eyes shone a little as he mumbled to himself.

From the War Monarch legacy, he knows tons of body refinements methods and now he will use them , now even more as he no longer has system and Nexus help.