Chương 117: Chapter 109-A Praying Chosen

Beginnings. The beginning of your life. The beginning of the world. The beginning of the first thought. All very important in their own way. You know what isn't important? The beginning of the 6th day of the 4th month. There's nothing really important about this day. Sure, we start our new schedule for classes, and it's like three days after the beginning of spring, but really, what's important about this day? Why am I hung up on this tangent about beginnings and the like?

Could it possibly be because I can't stand the silence in my mind… No, that can't be right. It probably has something to do with the three-foot-tall basket on my desk. I mean… It's not a bad basket. It has colorful blackish gold ribbons and bread. Lots of bread. It also has a bunch of really nice flowers. I'm talking about a beautiful arrangement of red poppies. Whoever did this knows their flower arrangements. Hmm… There's a letter. As I got to reach for it, Penelope snatches it away.

Without a single word, she pockets it.

"Uh, that was mine… I think," I say in utter confusion.

"No. It was meant for me," she says.

"It was on my desk."

"Went to the wrong place, oops. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again," Penelope says as she lifts the basket and takes it over to her desk.

"Well, that was weird," I say absentmindedly.

"Tell me about it," Hopper says as he eats a piece of jam-filled bread.

"Did you get that from the basket?" I ask.

"It took you a long time to get here," he says as if that answers anything. Before I can string together a sentence, our Literature Professor walks into the classroom.

"Sorry, I'm late. Seems that research really can make time fly by," she says as she chuckles to herself.

"Professor Outis is odd as usual," Hopper whispers.

"She's just a bit eccentric," I [Lie]. In reality, I'm kind of scared of her. I mean, I'm scared of a lot of things, but she gives me the heebie-jeebies. The first class we ever had, she walked in with her long black hair draped down her face like a Ghost. She also had these gigantic dark circles under her eyes. It might be because she resembles the old ghost stories back from the alleyways or just the general atmosphere she gives off, but she scares me.

I'm sure she's nice, but I swear to the Gods that there's an aura of death or darkness around her.

"Now, since we have some new faces with us this quarter, I'd like to reintroduce myself. I am Professor Gruselig Outis, and I am your Literature Professor. My office hours are… nonexistent, but you can find me any time in my lab. The door is open at all times, although if you are squeamish… Maybe just wait until right after class to ask me a question," she says with a creepy chuckle. Maybe this is why I find her creepy?

As the Professor continues to ramble about what the class is like and what books we're going to read this quarter, I let my mind drift. I've been avoiding my [Stat Window] for almost two weeks now. It might have to do with the new [Title] I got, but I'm going to chalk it up to the other duties that I was… Oh, who am I kidding? It's the [Title] and beating Tyranus and almost dying and and… A bunch of things. I know things were going to be rough, but Gods, did things get out of hand quickly.

Well, at least I survived. There's that, and I got this fancy [Title] that… What does it do? <Fate Breaker> Given to the one who broke the flow of fate and has charted a new one. Whether for better or worse is yet to be seen. Grants Title Skill <Foresee> and the ability to see the strings of fate. The strings of fate? What are those? Well, obviously strings made of fate or something like that, but… I look around to see nothing string-like. I don't see any of these strings. Ah, wait! I don't have it equipped!

All I have to do is unequip… the unequippable [Title] that I already have. Great. So, I have no way to actually use this? Shitty [System]! As I think that a faint shimmer in the description of the [Title] appears. Focusing on it… something changes. <Fate Breaker> Given to the one who broke the flow of fate and has charted a new one. Whether for better or worse is yet to be seen. Grants Title Skill <Foresee>. The ability to see the strings of fate is also given without equipping. May you use this ability wisely.

What in the fuck just happened?! Uh, sorry [System]. Can the [System] hear me and see me at all times? Wait?!

"God?" Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. The entire class turns to me in confusion. Ah, I said that out loud. That was… an accident.

"Sorry. I was… praying," I [Lie]. Professor Outis nods and then continues her lecture. That was close. They might have thought I was crazy. Now, back to the topic at hand. Which God created the [System] again? It was… The Creator! Wow, a little pretentious, but alright. I beseech you, oh great Creator. Give me more [Skills]. I am in great need of them. Actually useful ones. Maybe some gold while you're at it. I'm not asking for a lot, just 5 million gold would be nice. Wait, that's rude. Convert that into platinum.

Wouldn't want you to hurt yourself. Looking around, I don't see a pile of 5 million in gold or platinum lying around. Should've guessed.

"So, let us get right into 'The Diary of Sorrows'," Professor Outis says as I plop my head down to take a nap.

"So, you're saying one of your [Titles] changed?" Hopper asks with a hint of disbelief.

"Yeah, the wording on it just changed out of nowhere," I say as I grab my plate of food.

"I've never heard of that. How about you, Penelope?" he asks. Penelope thinks hard as the cafeteria staff serves her a scoop of mashed potatoes.

"Actually, I have. There have been instances of people throughout history who have seen the same thing you are talking about." As we walk to a free table, I sigh.

"And here I thought I was special. So, what is it?"

"From my understanding, it mainly happens to [Titles] that are relatively new," she says with a hint of pride.

"New? I thought all the [Skills], [Titles], and the like were already predetermined," I ask.

"That's a misconception. Most scholars theorize that the [System] is almost like a living entity that adapts and grows based on its usage. Most [Titles] are believed to be created when something of note is done. Then, if someone after the fact does the same thing, they'll get that [Title]. For example, Horice Nocturne was the first person to ever create a Kingdom. For this feat, he was given a [Title]. I believe it was [King of Nocturne].

After that, anybody who became a King or Queen was given a similar [Title] with slight differences," she explains with a fair amount of detail.

"Okay. So, the [System] changed my [Title] because the original description was like a rough draft?" I ask as I take a bite of my food.

"Yes, exactly. The newer a [Title] is, the more likely it is to change. After all, the [System] isn't perfect and it knows that," Penelope says. Hopper takes a sip of his carrot soup.

"So, The Creator isn't directly involved with the [System]? I thought they made it and everything."

"I have no idea. No one really does. Even with the few tomes that we have from the Era of the Gods, we have almost no knowledge of The Creator. We have plenty on the other four Gods, but it seems as if The Creator wasn't as present at the time, or maybe just not written about. What we do know is that The Creator created the [System] and the Gods that we know. That's about it. I would honestly be surprised if they do interact with the [System] in a direct way," she says.

"Hmm. Weird. So, Penelope, when are we going to meet up?" I ask. Hopper's ears perk up.

"What are you guys doing?"

"I have no idea," Penelope answers Hopper.

"Well, if we're going to the Spring Ball together, I thought it would be wise if I learned how to dance," I say nonchalantly. Hopper looks between the two of us rapidly.

"You guys are going to the Ball together?" he asks with a hidden smirk.

"No," Penelope quickly lies.

"Yes," I quickly retort. Penelope shoots me a glare.

"It seems you've lost your mind, Charlatan. Perhaps you would like to get it checked over there," she says as she points outside.

"Will you check it for me?" I say with a shit-eating grin. She rolls her eyes.

"We will be right back, Hopper." We head outside and are greeted by the spring wind.

"Not a bad place to check my head."

"What are you doing? First, you bring some random woman to the Palace and pass her off as your sister. Now you're advertising to everyone that we're going to the Ball. Have you actually lost your mind?" she asks with a hint of annoyance. Looking around, I make sure no one is within earshot.

"I thought it would be best to spread the word that we're going together as far and wide as we can," I say with a devilish smile.

"And why exactly would you do that? Do you realise how annoying my tea parties are going to be now?"

"Do you really not see the benefit in this? You asked me to help you become the heir. I'm doing just that." Penelope looks around with a hint of confusion.

"And how exactly is this helping?" she asks.

"Valerian has support from Archduke Krait and the Imperial Scholars. Heath has support from Archduke Aster and the Imperial Knights. Marigold, even discounting her age, has support from the common people. You don't have any support, Penelope," I state coldly.

"... I see what you're saying now. We're going to use your influence as The Chosen One to give me support in the fight for the throne."

"That's what our [Deal] is. Obviously, my influence isn't enough to match the likes that are backing your brothers, but I can put you on the starting line. From there it's all you." The pink buds on the trees sway as a rogue spring wind passes us. Penelope's drills gently sway as she looks me in the eyes. A warm feeling grows.

"Before, the noble houses didn't pay me any mind, but with you by my side, I can finally get their attention. From there, I will sway as many noble houses to my side. With enough of them, I can rival my brothers," she says as the gears start to turn in her head.

"Now you're getting it. Also, that wasn't some random lady. That was actually my sister," I say as I start to head back in.

"Ah, yes… Wait, what?!"