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Chapter 11 - The Neon Interface

As Lee Jin pondered the remarkable changes happening within him, his thoughts were interrupted by a breathtaking sight.

Suddenly, a vivid, shimmering blue screen materialized in front of him, but this time, it appeared only in his right eye. The screen was a mesmerizing tapestry of intricate symbols and shifting patterns, each element radiating with an otherworldly luminescence.

"Huh?"

On the top of the screen, in elegant script, were the words "One-time Instruction Manual." As his eyes traced the words, the symbols beneath seemed to come alive, swirling and rearranging themselves into a mesmerizing dance of light.

And then, as if guided by his curiosity, his focus shifted to the center of the screen, where a new set of symbols emerged, forming a cascade of information that seemed to resonate with the very essence of the universe itself.

— Celestial Blessing: Spark of Infinity

As the symbols danced before his eyes, Lee Jin's astonishment deepened. "Celestial Blessing?! What is this...?" he murmured in awe.

The radiant intensity of the blue fire-like aura enveloping his left eye intensified further, casting intricate patterns that danced like cosmic constellations.

As he blinked, his vision flickered between the blue screen in his right eye and the neon world with information on his left.

In his right eye, the shimmering tapestry of symbols pulsed with ethereal energy, inviting him to delve deeper into the knowledge they held. The "One-time Instruction Manual" seemed to beckon him to decipher its secrets, promising untold insights.

With newfound resolve, Lee Jin's curiosity overcame any lingering trepidation. He focused his attention on the "One-time Instruction Manual" in his right eye, allowing his mind to align with the symbols and their enigmatic dance.

As he did so, the symbols seemed to respond to his intention, their movements growing more purposeful and organized. Lines of text formed on the screen, their meaning flowing directly into his mind.

«One-time Instruction Manual»

— Celestial Blessing: Spark of Infinity Instruction Manual —

— This blessing bestows upon the bearer the Spark of Infinity, an augmentation of perception and insight. The Spark of Infinity manifests as a torrential fire-like aura, ignited by intention or necessity. It transmutes normal sight into monochromatic clarity, allowing the bearer to see beyond the superficial and into the essence of existence.

— Objects of focus emanate an otherworldly blue light, revealing hidden patterns and connections. The heads-up display presents real-time data and information, enabling the bearer to navigate their surroundings with unparalleled precision.

— The Spark of Infinity can be activated consciously by focusing on the desired effect, or unconsciously when the bearer's heightened perception is warranted.

As the information flowed into his mind, Lee Jin's heart raced with excitement. He now understood the true nature of the Celestial Blessing he had received—the Spark of Infinity.

It was a gift that enhanced his perception and insight, granting him the ability to see the world in a way that transcended ordinary limitations.

"This is so cool~" Lee Jin's voice was filled with childlike wonder, a mixture of awe and excitement that played across his features.

His eyes widened, reflecting the shimmering blue glow that enveloped his left eye, and his lips curled into an enthusiastic smile.

The sense of amazement he felt was palpable, radiating from him as he took in the sight of the room transformed by the Spark of Infinity.

With a surge of determination, he shifted his gaze to the world around him.

The objects in the room that had previously appeared broken, useless, and mundane were now suffused with an otherworldly blue glow, each emitting its unique pattern of light. He marveled at the hidden intricacies that had been invisible to him before.

In his left eye, the neon display continued to provide real-time information, presenting data about his surroundings, distances, and even the residual energy left behind by the mouse that had scurried across the room.

It was as if he had tapped into a cosmic database, granting him insights that bordered on the divine.

Suddenly, as Lee Jin immersed himself in the understanding of the Spark of Infinity and the monochromatic vision, the shimmering blue screen that had displayed the "One-time Instruction Manual" in his right eye, underwent a transformation.

The symbols on the screen shifted and rearranged themselves in a breathtaking display, as if they were alive and responding to his comprehension of the Spark of Infinity.

— No extracted essence has been found.

— Initiating Quest creating task...

— A quest has been created...

— Quest: Extract Stage 1 Divine Essence...

— Reward: +100 mAH to the Nano-Battery.

— Time left: 23 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds...

— Warning! If you are unable to complete the quest in the given time, then...

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Lee Jin stood outside his house, basking in the warm embrace of the morning sun. The golden rays painted the sky with hues of pink and orange, announcing the birth of a new day.

A gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, dancing through the air and brushing against his skin.

Nara and Yohan, dressed in the Academy's uniform, stood before him like envoys from another realm. Their cloaks swayed lightly with the wind, the dark brown fabric lending an air of mystery to their figures.

The sun's rays caught the subtle gleam of the silver insignias on their uniforms, casting fleeting glints that added to the aura of their presence.

Lee Jin's eyes widened as he looked at them. The disbelief on his face was palpable, his features caught in a moment of frozen surprise, like a snapshot of genuine astonishment.

A mixture of incredulity and surprise laced Lee Jin's voice as he gestured towards their surroundings. "You guys came back because of that?"

Yohan nodded, his gaze steady and earnest. "Yes, indeed. The main branch of the academy is right here in this city. And we were transferred here."

Lee Jin's gaze dropped to the ground, his astonishment mingling with a sense of realization. "I can't believe it. You're both attending the main branch now..."

Nara's eyes softened as she extended a gentle hand to lift Lee Jin's chin, guiding his gaze back to her. Her smile was tender, her touch warm as she presented him with a necklace. The brilliant blue gem sparkled in the sunlight, its azure depths captivating.

"Wear this, Lee Jin," her voice was soft, carrying a hint of both urgency and intimacy. "No matter what happens, promise me you won't take it off."

Their eyes locked for a brief, intense moment, a silent understanding passing between them like a current beneath the surface.

Her touch lingered, a connection that transcended words, before she withdrew her hand. Lee Jin's eyes remained anchored to hers, a myriad of unspoken emotions swirling in the depths of their shared gaze.

An awkward pause settled over them, like the calm before a storm, as Lee Jin's thoughts raced to interpret the complexity of the situation. The enigmatic look in Nara's eyes stirred questions in him, a mixture of intrigue and uncertainty.

'Why is she looking at me like that?' He probably thought.

Nara finally spoke, her voice a soft caress laden with meaning. "Be safe."

Lee Jin managed a faint smile, attempting to dispel the growing tension. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

But beneath his words lay an unshakable feeling that his life was poised at the precipice of change. The purple gem on the bracelet in his right hand seemed to pulse with its own quiet energy, a symbol of the secrets he now had.

Meanwhile, Yohan stood quietly beside Nara, a patient observer of the interaction. His eyes shifted between them, amusement and mild exasperation mingling as he watched the intensity unfold.

Amidst their reunion, Yohan's thoughts echoed with a humorous tinge, 'Do they realize I'm still here?'

"Lets go,"

Nara's soft voice signaled their departure, drawing their attention to the waiting carriage. She glided gracefully into its embrace, her cloak trailing behind her like a regal mantle.

"Take care," Yohan's farewell was friendly, his smile warm as he waved at Lee Jin. He followed Nara into the carriage, the vehicle itself a symbol of their newfound journey and the paths they were embarking upon.

As the carriage began to move, Nara looked back one last time, her gaze locking onto Lee Jin's form. The distance between them seemed to magnify the unspoken longing in her eyes, a depth of sentiment that mirrored the uncertainties that lay ahead.

Lee Jin watched as the carriage gradually disappeared from view, a mix of emotions churning within him. Nara and Yohan's departure left an inexplicable emptiness, a void that he couldn't quite put into words.

The sun, now higher in the sky, bathed everything in a warm and comforting light, yet he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in his chest.

He held the necklace with the blue gem in his hand, his fingers tracing the smooth surface of the pendant. Its cool touch sent a shiver down his spine, a physical reminder of the mysteries it held.

The gem itself seemed to hold a secret universe within its depths, a swirling vortex of possibilities that beckoned him to explore.

"Take care," he whispered softly, his voice carrying a hint of longing that blended with the gentle rustling of leaves in the nearby trees.

Turning his gaze back to the necklace, he marveled at the brilliance of the blue gem. There was something mesmerizing about its glow, a reminder of the unknown and the adventure that awaited him.

As he stared at it, the pendant seemed to come alive, its vivid blue color reflecting the sky's infinite expanse.

"Why did Nara say to never remove it?" he wondered aloud, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and excitement.

His fingers caressed the delicate chain, each touch a tactile exploration of the connection between the pendant and his destiny.

As if in response to his thoughts, a tingling sensation began to spread from the pendant, radiating warmth that crept up his neck. The sensation was almost like the gentle brush of a butterfly's wing, a delicate and electrifying touch that left his skin tingling.

"Don't tell me...?!" Lee Jin's voice trailed off, a mixture of anticipation and realization dawning upon him. His heart raced as he felt the pendant's energy resonating with his own.

Suddenly, the area around his left eye began to tingle and burn, as if an invisible fire were igniting within. The sensation quickly intensified, evolving into a blue, raging aura that enveloped his eye. His sight split into two distinct perceptions once again.

Through his left eye, the world transformed into a surreal monochromatic landscape. The buildings and trees lost their colors, replaced by a captivating dance of light and shadow.

The sensation was akin to stepping into a dream, where reality held a different, more profound meaning.

Simultaneously, a blue-hued screen materialized in his left-eye vision, overlaying his field of view with a cascade of neon-blue data and information.

The world around him now held a futuristic overlay, as if his surroundings were part of an intricate digital matrix.

Upon the blue screen, a digital diagram of the pendant materialized, highlighting its intricate details and the brilliant blue gem that adorned it.

An outline of the pendant itself was displayed, rendered in pulsating blue lines, as if the pendant had transcended its physical form to become a manifestation of pure energy.

In the corner of the screen, numerical data indicated the pendant's properties, and he could see the information about the necklace as he focused on it.

**Pendant of Protection**

**Description:** Protects the holder from any kind of danger by creating a shield.

**Remaining Usage:** 3

Reading the description, he felt a mixture of awe and wonder wash over him. The soft rustling of leaves around him seemed to echo the beating of his heart, each sound a testament to the extraordinary nature of the moment.

With newfound purpose burning in his chest, he looked up at the sky, the warmth of the sun's rays against his skin a reminder of the world's tangible and ethereal elements.

"Thanks, Nara," he whispered, his voice carrying a mixture of appreciation and determination.

His fingers gently closed around the pendant, and he carefully placed it around his neck.

The blue gem rested against his chest, its gentle glow a reassuring presence against his skin. As he secured the clasp, a soft hum resonated through the pendant, as if it acknowledged his acceptance of its power.

"But... The quest...? The punishment for not completing it was really funny..." Lee Jin mumbled to himself, his voice tinged with a mix of amusement and incredulity as he chuckled softly.

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