Chapter 15:The Naming of Cosmo and Reflections on Power

Adrian lay in his cot aboard the Spirit Vessel, the gentle hum of the ship filling his quiet room. Unable to sleep, he reached out with his thoughts, and soon the familiar presence of the Cube answered.

"I am here, Adrian. What weighs on you as we begin this new day?"

Adrian sighed in his mind. "You know, 'Cube' still sounds too plain and cold. I want to give you a friendlier name."

He paused, then ventured, "How about 'Cubey McBlockface'?" He chuckled at his own silliness.

After a brief silence, the Cube replied, "Adrian, that name is rather embarrassing. You must choose something better."

Adrian grinned and tried again. "Alright, maybe 'Rubber Cube'? No, that's still silly. Hmm… What about 'Nova Cube'? Nah, that doesn't work either."

After a few more tries, Adrian finally said, "I guess I'll settle on 'Cosmo.' It sounds warm and vast—like the space we travel through."

The Cube's tone softened. "Cosmo is acceptable if it makes you feel at ease. Very well, call me Cosmo."

Adrian smiled. "Thanks, Cosmo."

After the naming banter, Adrian's thoughts turned to something else. "Cosmo, I've read novels where cultivators are so powerful they can blast mountains to smithereens and even destroy worlds with a single thought. Is that true here? How strong can our cultivators really be?"

Cosmo replied in a clear, steady tone, "In this world, even the strongest cultivators usually only manage to blast mountains into smithereens. They can reshape the land, but they don't destroy entire worlds with a single thought."

Adrian nodded. "So, our power stops at the mountain level?"

The Cube confirmed, "Yes, for the most part. Their feats, while mighty, are usually limited to altering large structures like mountains. It's impressive enough."

After a pause, Adrian continued, "But what about destroying worlds? I've heard stories where cultivators change the very structure of reality with a single thought. Does that ever happen?"

The Cube's tone turned playful. "Ah, now there's a topic. There are tales from the vast universe—although they might not be that grand, they are incredible—two in particular come to mind."

Adrian leaned in, eager to know more.

"The first," the Cube began, "is about a man who saw an opportunity in mortals burning with a thirst for revenge. He cleverly manipulated them by making it seem as though they were gaining divine abilities on their own. These mortals believed they were becoming special and growing stronger, all while he used their rising power to serve his own goals. Eventually, when people discovered his deceit, powerful cultivators and even entire organizations—like one notorious group known as QtelCorp—chased him across the universe to put an end to his schemes."

Adrian's eyes widened in amazement. "So, he tricked them into thinking they were achieving greatness, while really, he was just using them for his own benefit?"

"Exactly," the Cube replied. "It was a cunning, if morally questionable, ploy. And the consequences were as chaotic as they were unexpected."

Adrian then asked, "And what of the other legend? You mentioned another one."

The Cube continued, "Yes, the second tale is about an old man with an unmatched passion for food. He turned an entire galaxy into a grand cooking contest. His challenges were so outlandish and creative that they reshaped the very way people thought about strength and skill. It wasn't about raw destruction, but about transforming the world in unexpected ways through something as simple—and as profound—as a taste for life."

Adrian absorbed the stories, a mix of awe and humor in his tone. "So, even if our cultivators might not be capable of literally destroying worlds, there are those whose actions change reality in ways that are just as dramatic."

The Cube replied warmly, "Indeed, Adrian. The legends remind us that power takes many forms. Whether it's shattering a mountain or sparking a cosmic cooking contest, each feat leaves its mark on the universe. These stories, while sometimes outrageous, show that ambition and cleverness can reshape reality—even if it's not by obliterating entire worlds."

After discussing the legends of great feats, Adrian sat quietly in his room aboard the Spirit Vessel. Lost in thought, he reached out with his mind.

"Cosmo, I worry that my fate might turn out like that story you mentioned—about a man who used the souls of mortals, sending them off into other worlds for his own gain. I don't want to end up being used like that."

There was a long, thoughtful pause. Then Cosmo spoke in a calm, measured tone.

"Adrian, I want you to know that I have no desire to use you in that way. I am here to guide you along your own path so that together, we can achieve transcendence."

"Isn't there some kind of oath you can take?" Adrian asked. "I've read in novels that when people make such oaths and then break them, something terrible happens—their very essence gets damaged. Can't you make an oath like that to reassure me?"

"Adrian, I understand your concern. In many parts of the universe, individuals swear oaths to the heavens or higher powers, binding themselves to their promises. Breaking such oaths can indeed lead to severe consequences, such as damage to one's origin or soul. However, in this universe, I am the supreme being, apart from the primordial laws that govern all. There is no higher power to whom I can swear an oath. Therefore, I cannot make such a vow to you. What I can offer is my guidance and support. You must trust in your own strength and in the path we are forging together."

"So, there's no powerful promise to bind me to a certain fate—I have to rely on my own strength."

Adrian contemplated Cosmos words.. "So, I have to rely on my own strength and efforts, then? Maybe I am not as unique as I once thought. Although traits like mine might not be common, they shouldn't be that rare either. Perhaps Cosmo only took pity on me. If that's the case, then I should make the most of the opportunity he has given me."

Cosmo, upon hearing Adrian's self-reflection, pondered silently. "Oh, Adrian, how mistaken you are, " he mused. "You believe you're not unique, that there are many like you. True, there are others who are curious, and a few who possess comparable talents—though such individuals are exceedingly rare. But the combination of your insatiable curiosity and exceptional abilities makes you one in an eon. Moreover, your innate capacity to discern and correlate the fundamental laws of the universe is a gift essential for transcendence and to combine these three things into a singular person. With my guidance, you will come to realize your true potential."