Chapter 15: The Primordial Genesis Core

The moonlight streamed through the curtains of Aiden's room, casting silvery hues across the wooden floor. At three years old, Aiden appeared like any other child—restful and serene. But his thoughts were anything but ordinary.

Ever since that accident on his second birthday, something inside him had awakened. It wasn't just the spark of anger and sadness when his mother, Lyria, had hurt herself while cooking for him. It was the birth of something far greater: the Primordial Genesis Core, an otherworldly force that felt like an extension of his very being.

Lying in his bed, Aiden closed his eyes and focused inward, allowing his mind to connect with the power deep within him.

"System," he thought, the command almost instinctive.

A soft pulse echoed in his consciousness, and an ethereal interface appeared in his mind's eye. The translucent blue screen shimmered faintly, waiting for his input.

[Primordial Genesis Core - System Interface]

Welcome, Aiden.

Aiden stared at the screen in his mind, feeling the faint hum of energy resonating through his body. He hadn't told anyone about this power—not his mother, not his grandmother, not even Sera, his grandmother's loyal maid. It wasn't fear that stopped him; it was instinct. Something told him that this power was meant to stay hidden, at least for now.

"Status," he thought, and the display shifted.

[Status Overview]

Name: Aiden

Age : 3

Core Stage: Flicker of Creation (Stage 1)

Affinity Unlocks:Primary Affinity: Creation (Locked until Stage 2)

Secondary Affinity: Nothingness (Locked until Stage 4)

Soul Growth: Limited (Stage advancement required for further abilities.)

Active Functionality:

Genesis Surge: Temporary boost to physical and mental capabilities.

Reality Veil: Conceals your presence and power from external detection.Aiden's small lips curved into a thoughtful frown. The system was powerful, yes, but it wasn't entirely accessible to him yet. His primary affinity, Creation, was locked, and his secondary affinity, Nothingness, wouldn't be available until much later. Even the abilities he could use came with limitations.

He focused on the word Genesis Surge and felt a warm, tingling sensation in his chest. This ability intrigued him the most—a temporary boost to his abilities—but something about it felt dangerous. He hadn't dared to try it yet, sensing that it might push his young body too far.

"Why is everything locked?" he asked aloud, his voice barely a whisper.

The system responded with a calm, neutral tone that resonated in his mind:

The Primordial Genesis Core is directly tied to your emotional and physical growth. Unlocking stages requires the maturation of your soul and body. Forcing access beyond your capacity could result in irreversible damage. Proceed with patience, Aiden.

Aiden exhaled deeply, his small chest rising and falling as he absorbed the explanation. At three years old, patience wasn't a virtue he had mastered, but something about the system's tone made him trust its guidance.

He turned onto his side, staring at the faint moonlight dancing on the wall. His thoughts shifted to his mother, Lyria. She was the light in his life, his anchor. Yet, there was something more—something unspoken, hidden even from himself. He adored her with a love that felt too vast for his small body, a love that sometimes felt... possessive.

He shook the thought away, though it lingered in the corners of his mind.

The next morning, Aiden sat at the dining table, his small feet dangling off the edge of the chair. Sera, Elena's ever-attentive maid, placed a plate of warm pastries in front of him.

"Good morning, young master," she said, her voice soft and melodic.

"Good morning, Sera," Aiden replied, a polite smile on his face. He always made a point to address her respectfully, as his mother had taught him.

Sera smiled back, her graying hair tied neatly under a lace cap. "Your mother will be training in the courtyard today. Do you want to watch her?"

Aiden's face lit up at the mention of his mother. Lyria was his world, his everything.

"Yes, I'd like that," he said, his tone eager.

As Sera stepped away to tend to other tasks, Aiden's gaze lingered on her for a moment before shifting back to his food. The people in his life—his mother, his grandmother, Sera—they all meant so much to him. But deep down, he felt something else, a hidden desire he didn't fully understand.

Later that day, Aiden stood at the edge of the courtyard, watching his mother practice her swordsmanship. Lyria moved with precision and power, her blade slicing through the air in controlled arcs. She was a warrior in every sense of the word, her strength third only to her brother, King Keiran.

Aiden's small hands clenched at his sides as he watched her. He wanted to be like her someday—strong, capable, and unyielding. But more than that, he wanted to be close to her, to protect her from anything that might harm her.

"System," he thought, summoning the interface again.

The translucent screen appeared in his mind, and he focused on the ability labeled Reality Veil.

"What does it do?" he asked silently.

Reality Veil: Conceals your presence and power from external detection. Essential for maintaining discretion at your current stage.

Aiden nodded thoughtfully. It explained why no one had noticed his power yet. The system had been hiding it for him, protecting him from prying eyes.

His gaze shifted back to his mother, who was now practicing with a sparring partner. The clashing of steel echoed through the courtyard, a rhythmic melody of strength and skill.

Someday, he thought, he would stand by her side—not as a child watching from the sidelines, but as an equal. For now, though, he would wait, biding his time as his power grew within him.