Alone with the Chip(1)

The train ride back to Zenith Prime was far from peaceful.

My muscles ached from the fall in the cave.

Thoughts buzzed with the strange energy I'd felt when touching the chip.

The knowledge from ATD swirled around my mind like a fog I couldn't shake.

What I had in my pocket wasn't just some relic; it was something incredibly powerful.

I didn't bother checking the time as I exited the station.

My focus was singular: getting back to my dorm at the academy and deciphering what this chip truly was.

I wasn't in the mood for idle conversation or unnecessary distractions.

I had everything I needed with that chip.

The academy campus bustled with life as I walked through the entrance gates.

But the usual noise faded into the background.

I kept my head down, avoiding eye contact with the few students lingering in the evening hours.

I wasn't trying to hide; I just wasn't in the mood for company.

The dormitory building loomed ahead—stark and impersonal, the kind of structure that screamed functionality.

It was cold and efficient.

But that didn't matter; I wasn't here for anyone else.

I was focused on figuring out my next move.

I didn't need anyone breathing down my neck.

The elevator was empty as I rode it up to the third floor.

Its faint hum filled the silence as I stared at the doors.

My thoughts drifted back to the chip in my pocket.

It pulsed with a strange energy, unlike anything I had ever felt before.

The moment my fingers made contact, I knew it was no ordinary piece of technology.

This was something ancient.

A remnant from a time before the systems that governed this world.

I had to unlock the mystery of what this Eclipse chip entailed.

But first, I needed rest.

My body was sore, and if I wanted to make any progress, I needed a clear head.

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, and I stepped out, heading toward my dorm room—Room 312, the last one down the hall.

As usual, there wasn't a soul in sight.

I didn't have any roommates—just the solitude of a single room, perfect for when I needed to think without distraction.

I unlocked the door, pushed it open, and stepped inside.

Tossing my bag onto the bed, I locked the door behind me.

For a moment, I stood there, staring at the bag in the corner.

I knew what it contained.

The chip.

I wasn't the only one who'd come across these artifacts.

ATD had covered unregistered chips, but it only scratched the surface.

The characters in the novel, those so-called heroes, never grasped their true power.

They focused too much on their own drama, too absorbed in ideals and struggles.

I wasn't like that.

I knew better.

I had studied the novel enough to understand the rules.

What could happen and what couldn't.

The potential of the chip was immense.

Eclipse was a key—one that could unlock abilities beyond the standard Chips provided by the academy.

Most Chips are passed down from generation to generation. 

My family perhaps duplicated the Phantom Charm for me to use in the academy

Every character's journey had been scripted, but I was armed with foresight.

I understood the importance of this moment.

If I wielded Eclipse correctly, I could rewrite the rules in my favor.

But I didn't need help for that.

I didn't want anyone else's interference.

I'd carve my path, just like I always had.

Using others was part of the game, but right now, I didn't need distractions.

I moved to my desk, placed the duffel bag down, and retrieved the chip.

Holding it up to the light, I examined it closely.

The faint glow seemed almost like a beckoning call.

The name Eclipse carried weight—there was something significant about it, as if it signaled my potential.

But now wasn't the time to get lost in possibilities.

What mattered was leveraging it to my advantage.

I didn't need to rush into anything; I'd take my time and plan carefully.

The last thing I wanted was to be swept up in someone else's mess.

I had enough on my plate.

I placed the chip on the desk and ran my fingers over its smooth surface.

It felt alive, humming with latent energy.

The longer I stared at it, the more I sensed a part of myself I hadn't fully unlocked.

Eclipse wasn't just a chip; it was my gateway to power.

What that power was, I didn't yet know.

But I would find out.

Later that evening, my restless mind drove me to pace the room.

There was no way I could sleep without putting more thought into this.

The academy didn't teach you everything; hell, it barely taught you what you really needed to know.

But one thing Edward learned in the novel was how to survive.

And right now, survival meant unraveling the mysteries of this chip.

It was risky to rely solely on myself.

But at least I knew I could count on me when the stakes were high.

No one else was in a position to help.

Everyone had their own lives, their own ambitions, and their own problems to deal with.

If I wanted to seize control of my future, I had to act quickly and independently.

The one thing I did know? I couldn't overlook the value of understanding others.

I had observed enough to recognize people's strengths and weaknesses.

Using that knowledge to my advantage was crucial.

Sometimes, it was about letting others play their parts while I stayed hidden in the shadows.

Who knew? I might have to rely on someone in the future.

But for now? Interaction was off the table unless absolutely necessary.

For now, though, I needed a strategy.

I wasn't about to squander this opportunity.

Nor was I going to let the chip fall into anyone else's hands.

It was mine.

And that was enough.