Chapter 23- Plot Twist
It was as if the whole world had stopped. The blowing winds had stopped. The whispers in the background had stopped. The nervousness and the excitement had stopped.
And then came the trance.....
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Only after a couple of seconds did Oliver came back to reality.
'Hmmm, what happened? Wasn't I getting my talent checked? What happened? Did I get a good result? What's going on?'
{Well you still are giving the examination. But the situation is much more complex...How do I explain this...}
Only then did Oliver's eyes focussed again to find out the horror that took place in front of him.
He was still in front of the spheres. His hand was still touching the sphere. In fact, everything was perfectly in the same position as before. It was so perfect that even if he tried to move, he couldn't. As if stuck in an artist's painting.
He tried to pull his hand back but as if he lost control of his body, he couldn't. It was only then that he realized that not only him but everyone was stuck in a similar manner.
'What the fuck is going on? Why can't I move my body?'
{From what I can understand, I think all of you are stuck in time, sort of.}
'If that is true then why am I able to think, shouldn't I be like a statue or something?'
{That why I said that I am not sure. But that is the most probable conclusion I could give with the limited information I have}
{Well you are not alone though. Everyone is in a similar situation as you so keep your calm. It's not like you can do anything in this situation.}
Just as Oliver wanted to rebuttal he heard.....
[New planet found]
[Scanning initiated....]
[Scanning complete]
[Planet name: Hatheria]
[Ruler Species: Homo sapiens sapiens]
[Universal race matched: Human race]
...
[Memory scan level (planetary) complete]
[General Planetary Review Assigned]
[Primary power system found: 1]
[Primary external elemental mana manipulation]
[Assisment- Exhauster]
[Auxilary power system found: 103]
[Evolvable power system found: 1]
[Primary internal mana manuplation]
[Assisment- Evolvable]
[Dificulty level- Extremely Hard- level: Universal]
...
[Assisment complete]
[Primary Data complete]
[Planter #HG6970- Hatheria: Updated]
[Congratulations Ruling species Humans, of the planet Hatheria. You are the 6970th galaxy added under the Race Humans. Your plant has reached the minimum Karma to be detected by the Allied Universe Community. You have officially joined The Allied Universe Community following the 87th rule under the Human Race.]
[Humans have been updated about your planet's discovery. Representatives from humans will arrive on your planet in 3 days.]
[According to the 274th rule regarding the discovery of a new planet, every member of the ruling race will be given Univeral Connection devices.]
[But due to primitive technological advancements more appropriate means will be provided.]
[In addition, protection will be given for 5 planetary years.]
[In exchange 33% of the planetary mass will be taken in form of energy. According to the assessment, the most suitable mass will be taken from the abundance of oceans unused by the ruling race.]
...
As soon as Oliver heard the robotic voice in his head, he knew it wasn't Arthur. The next second he felt a slight burning sensation on his right hand which lasted only for a moment. When he looked at it he saw a one and a half finger thick tatoo on the back of his hand. The tatoo was an almost complete circle leaving a bit of portion open leaving the circle incomplete while the open side facing the top of his hand (basically the circle on the cover page of the book but inverted on the backside of the hand).
[Protection rings level planetary will be activated in 3 seconds]
[3]
[2]
[1]
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As soon as the countdown ended the 'time' resumed.
[RUMBLE]
Before Oliver could even make head and tail about the situation. It was as if the whole world shook. The 'earthquake' was soo large that everyone including Oliver fell on their butt cheeks. Leaving only the Elders who were barely able to stand under their shaky legs.
In fact, the assumption that the whole world shook was not too far from the truth as the whole planet was really shaking.
Taking a second to sit up from the ground did Oliver see a massive ring in the sky, so big as if it would swallow the whole sky.
But a minute later, when the 'earthquake' stopped did he realize a thin almost transparent sheet of film spreading from the circumference of the ring. If only their planet had advanced technology that they could see from space through a satellite that their planet was currently sandwiched between 2 ginormous rings placed polar opposite to each other. And a thin firm from their edges connecting to each other encasing the entire planet.
If you looked really close then you could even see faint golden dust-like particles 'escaping' through the center of the rings and dissipating into the vast space.
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Only after the stupor ended did the panic settle in. Seeing the examinees in a frenzy did Gutan say "The exam has been suspended. Sorry for the inconvenience but we have to end it earlier. Please return back to your residences we will meet after 7 days. If someone has difficulty in finding a resting place then you will be accommodated in the institute. Now if you will excuse me."
As soon as he said that, he almost bolted out of the ground and went towards one of the institute's buildings.
Seeing all the crowd leave with their guardians in a hurry, both Oliver and Polo also decided to leave. But instead of shouting, they were extremely quiet and serious as if contemplating quantum theories. Neither spoke to each other as they silently trode the road back to the shop, each thinking of his own things.
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When they entered the shop to their surprise Olson was already standing next to Marco in formal clothing. As soon as he saw both of them entering the shop he rushed towards them and said, "Good that you are back in time. I will be gone for 5 days you guys stay inside and close the shop till I come back."
Before they could even reply back, he took his stuff and rushed out of the shop.
Looking at the confused Oliver and Polo, did Marco explain, "Both of you must have also heard the announcement. I have confirmed with Olson and others nearby that I was not being delusional and everybody experienced the same thing. In addition, the giant ass ring in the sky proves that something big is going to happen. Olson just got called from his family to come back as soon as possible to discuss the future of our human race with other old fogies who are the leaders of the human race."
"As you guys have already guessed yes, boss does come from a huge family. In fact, he comes from one of the seven great families the Briks. Although I don't know what is his relations within his family, that he came soo far away from them and started staying in such a small empire. But he doesn't want to show off his surname in front of everybody especially you guys."
"Sigh anyways, you both must be tired go change and take a bath then we will have our lunch together and discuss whatever question we have with each other. I am sure you guys must have similar doubts like me especially about the thing on our hands" said Marco while showing the tatoo on the back of his hand.
Both of them nodded and went to take a bath to try to calm themselves.
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Standing under the shower Oliver let the cold water run over his naked body. Although after becoming a body cultivator he couldn't didn't really feel much tiredness without some strenuous exercise. But the cold water did help him feel relaxed and helped in soothing his mind.
He started to rearrange his thoughts to get the most information out of the limited stuff he knew.
"Looks like our early observations were right. Earth wasn't the only planet in this universe that has humans. After all, I did get transported to Hatheria. Although there are differences, but in the end, there still are humans on both planets."
"Does that mean that it is possible to go back to earth? I mean I did want to try to go back but didn't think that opportunity will rise so early. The voice said Allied races does that mean that there are other races except for humans in this universe?"
"Interesting very interesting... Although there are so many unsolved questions but things are getting more and more interesting."
...
{Oliver you have a creepy smile on your face.}
{Looks like you did change a lot after coming to Hatheria.}
"Anyways what do you think this thing on my hand is? Do you think this is, what the voice call some kind of device...?"
{Universal Connection Device ... and yes I am 76.35% sure It is that thing.}
"Well that is a bazaar percentage but sure if you say so."
"What do you think this thing does?"
{Well based on its name I can say that, it is some kind of device that connects one to the universe. Maybe it helps in connecting with other 'races' or maybe other humans. Anyways I have already started analyzing it. The process already at 39% it should be completed in 20 more minutes.}
"I see so is it a kind of WhatsApp or maybe Google but for the universe? Anyways tell me immediately when you have completed the analysis."
Oliver stopped the shower and wrapped himself in a towel and went back to his room.
After changing into fresh clothes he went to meet with Marco and Polo to have lunch together.
15 minutes into the lunch Polo couldn't take the silence and finally spoke.
"So what the fuck do you think is happening?"
Marco replied," I think, from what I understood, we are not the only planet in this endless space. And especially not the only humans. There is much that we don't know about this universe we live in and there are many who are much more powerful than us and much more knowledgeable than us who run this universe. Anyways the good news is that they aren't interested in us thus see no reason to attack us."
"You are saying that there are people who are much stronger than tier 10 mage?
"Probably, but I am not sure."
"And what the hell is this thing?" asked Polo while pointing towards his hand.
"Have no idea... What do you think Oliver?" Marco asked.
When he looked at Oliver, he saw Oliver's solemn face while looking towards the tatoo on the back of his hand.
"Oliver?" Marco called again.
"Huh? what were you saying?" Asked Oliver while he snapped back to reality.
"What do you think that thing is?"
After a couple of seconds did Oliver reply, "I think I might know what this is."
"But let me confirm some things first."
After saying that Oliver touched right in between the circle with his other hand. And suddenly he fell back into his chair while his eyes went closed and unfocused.
"Oliver!" Screamed Marco seeing Oliver's weird reaction. He jumped out of his seat and held Oliver.
"What happened... Are you fine?" Said Marco while shaking Oliver a bit to check his response.
After a couple of seconds, Polo who was standing anxiously right next to both of them said, "Hey Marco... I think he had fainted."
"What! AGAIN?"