Harry awoke slowly, as if emerging from a deep, heavy sleep that had lasted for years. He opened his eyes, and the first thing he felt was touch: not the cold, hard linoleum, but soft, dry grass.
He tried to groan, but the sound died away.
He placed his hands on his chest, gently feeling his ribs. They were fine. There was no pain, no sticky sensation of blood. Only the light pressure of a clean shirt.
"It doesn't hurt. Am I dead? If heaven is grass and sun, then it was worth it…"
TING
A screen appeared before him, as clear as glass, shattering his brief calm.
[OMNIVERSAL SYSTEM — ARCÁNUM CORE]
[Installation Complete]
[Host Status:]
[Vitality restored to 60%]
[Bones repaired]
[Bleeds stopped]
[Accumulated Damage: Partially Treated]
[Mind: Stabilized]
[Emotional Trauma: Deep (uncorrectable)]
[Gifts delivered and assimilated by the host]
[MAIN MENU: Status | Inventory | Shop | Templates | Quests | Dungeons]
"System…? Did you do this?" he murmured, feeling fear mixed with a wild euphoria at the absence of pain.
The screen vibrated slightly, as if responding.
"Show me… my gifts," he ordered, feeling strangely comfortable giving an order to something, instead of receiving a blow.
[GIFTS RECEIVED]
[1. Shin Wolford Template (Kenja no Mago)]
[Progress: 10%]
[Active Characteristics:]
[Exceptional Magical Affinity]
[Magical Analysis Ability]
[Enhanced Tactical Memory]
[Accelerated Growth with Training]
["Abnormal" Magical Talent, even among mages]
[Potential to evolve into "Supreme Sage"]
[Sealed Characteristics:]
[Absolute Mana Control]
[Advanced Spell Creation]
[High-Level Body Enhancement]
[Ultrasonic Magic]
Harry felt a tingle run through his body.
Magic. Power. Something inside him stirred, as if it were the first time he had ever breathed.
[2. Longinus — Innovate Clear (DxD)
[State: Phase 1 — Basic World]
[Current Abilities:]
[Create a world of your own]
[Manipulate terrain]
[Suspend time in this dimension]
[Enclose enemies (max. low rank)]
[Expand as the user grows]
[Sealed/Pending:]
[Create life]
[Custom world laws]
[Advanced climates]
[Personal spacetime]
[Soul of the world]
[Fractal internal dimensions]
[System Observation:]
[Innovate Clear has been integrated with the host's soul. Unlike the one created by the Biblical God, this Longinus has been modified by the system, making it more powerful.]
[The world will grow according to your strength and emotions.]
Harry looked around… his world. For the first time, something belonged to him.
[3. Ajarna Gate]
[Status: Active]
[Connected Starting World:]
[ARGENA]
[(A high-potential parallel universe, teeming with monsters, ruins, and opportunities for accelerated growth.)]
[Current Functions:]
[Free entry/exit]
[Energy conversion between worlds]
[Stat boosts from training in Argena]
[Skill acquisition through survival]
[Unique materials and weapons]
[Future Functions (locked):]
[Connection to multiple worlds]
[Opening of multiverse routes]
[Free travel between worlds]
[Secret routes for extreme growth]
[Warning:]
[The Ajarna Gate can evolve.]
[Its ultimate potential surpasses "Dimensional Travel."]
[It can become a bridge to the entire multiverse.]
Harry swallowed hard, looked around, and in the center of the valley stood a gate with a carved owl gazing up at the blue sky. Perfect, the vast prairie. Something inside him stirred with an emotion he'd never experienced before: ownership.
He dug his fingers into the grass. He felt the earth, the air.
"Mine. No one can take this from me. If Vernon comes in here, I decide if he breathes."
The revelation of the Ajarna Gate, the promise of access to other worlds and conquest, left him trembling.
"Can I… travel to other worlds?" His voice was a whisper.
[System Response:]
[Yes, but not yet.]
[First you must strengthen your body, your magic… and your world. If the Ajarna Gate evolves, you will be able to travel to any existing world… and conquer whatever you desire.]
Harry took a deep breath, feeling the clean air. For the first time in his life, the pounding of his heart wasn't fear, but a drum screaming defiance.
"Show me my Status."
The System obeyed.
[HARRY POTTER]
[Race: Magical Human]
[Age: 10]
[Physical Condition: Stable]
[Base Attributes]
[Strength: 2 | Agility: 3 | Stamina: 1]
[Magic: 27 | Intelligence: 18 | Perception: 12]
[Luck: 9 (affected by trauma)]
[Host Characteristics:]
["Survivor" — you gain more power in the face of danger]
["Special Potential" — all abilities grow faster]
["Chronic Trauma" — anger temporarily increases magical power]
Harry clenched his fists. He was physically weak, yes, but he was no longer a toy. He possessed astonishing base power, and it could grow without limit.
If the path of a "hero" wouldn't protect him, then he was prepared to become the monster.