SWNOVELXO Chapter 22: New Status
Ashok blinked his eyes, and as the world around him came into focus, he realized he was back in the same room. But everything felt... different from the time he started the ritual.
He could feel the entire space of the room, but not in the sense that he could tell microscopic differences such as the fine details of the air or the texture of the walls; no, it was something entirely different.
Ashok felt as if the entire room was under his control. It was as if the room had become an extension of his will. He couldn't move the bed or cupboard with his mind, with some sort of Telekinesis or pure Mana control, but he could feel them, and strangely, he could tell that they were at his mercy.
Not only the bed or cupboard but the entire room including its walls, the two gates, everything—living or nonliving—seemed to bend toward him, as if acknowledging his presence as something greater. There was an undeniable sense of dominance, that radiated from within him. If Ashok tried to explain it in simple terms, it would be like feeling superior to everything around him.
'What is this weird feeling? Is this the effect of the blessing that Morrathis gave me? I couldn't hear everything clearly the time she gave the blessing, but I could feel this power... I have to say this feeling is the best. I am getting addicted.'
As Ashok slowly adapted to the overwhelming new sensation, he glanced down, to find he was only wearing his pants, the same attire he had started the ritual in. Near his feet, he noticed a shard of glass, partially covered by his shirt, lying quietly on the floor. A few drops of blood had dripped from the sharp edge of the glass. The ancient symbols have long disappeared.
'Well, their work is done'
As he looked slightly up his eyes fell on the stigmata, deeply engraved at the center of his chest. His hands moved instinctively toward the mark, his fingers tracing the edges with gentle pressure. The sensation was strange, yet familiar. The skin around it felt the same as the rest of his body, smooth and warm to the touch. It didn't feel as though it had been etched, moments ago. Instead, it was as if it had always been a part of him, as though it had been engraved in his skin for ages.
Ashok let out a faint smile as he thought 'Morrathis's Stigma. However, I cannot currently use it to its full extent, so, she is the only one benefitting from this bond. But once I am able to, even the strongest will be powerless against me. Well, it's time I make my move in this world. First, let's check the things the previous owner left for me.'
Ashok walked over to the cupboard and pulled it open. Neatly folded and arranged, there was a set of clothes that immediately caught his eye—an academy uniform.
The shirt was a stark white, its fabric crisp and immaculate, a sharp contrast to the black pants beneath it. The two pieces seemed like complete opposites, yet they balanced each other perfectly, creating an aura of formality and distinction. The blazer, however, was the centerpiece—a rich golden color that shimmered softly in the dim light. The navy-blue embroidery on its edges was intricate and elegant, its design conveying a symbol of elegance. The tie, perfectly complementing the blazer's embroidery, was a deep navy blue.
The blazer, shirt, and tie all bore the distinctive logo of the academy, subtly stitched into the fabric with precision, marking them as official attire. Beside the clothes lay another, less elaborate item—a pair of undergarments. Lastly, tucked away near the clothing, was a small card and a pouch.
Ashok picked up the card and studied it, It was his official Identity Card for the Academy. The card had a picture of him in the left corner, beside the picture, was his name — Adlet, and under it was his class designation - Aether.
'I am in the same class as the main characters and not the Wyrd Class. This must be the work of God of Fate. There is no way Adlet deserves to sit in the Aether Class, which is created for the talented with the kind of stats he had.
Speaking of stats, they should be changed by now.' With no one else manipulating them, the changes he had undergone should be reflected in his stats.
Before Ashok could even think to call for his status, a panel suddenly popped up in front of him. This time there was no voice of the System, just the notification that appeared directly, before his eyes.
[You have received a Gift from the World. Please check your Status]
'It must be another curse. There's no way the World would give me a gift after I nearly brought destruction to it.'
Ashok remembered how he had forced the Karma of the ritual onto the World, making it do its bidding by sealing the connection between an Ancient Goddess and the Hell plane.
'If Morrathis wants, she could destroy the world now. Though, she is probably busy understanding her new emotions right now.'
"Hah!" Ashok sighed, a mix of resignation and quiet determination in his breath. He must accept whatever the World's gift whatever it may be, just like those three curses on his back.
'STATUS' thought Ashok, hoping for something good like a shameless man.
STATUS
NAME: Ashok Kumar Maurya (Adlet)
JOB: Priest
FACTION ALIGNMENT: Evil
BLOODLINE: Not Awakened
AFFINITY: NONE(Cursed One)
STIGMA: [???]
SOUL TRAIT: GRAVITY, INVENTORY.
TRAITS: Focalism, Drug Resistance, Sole Survivor, Cursed One, False Monarch.
SKILLS: NIL
ARTS: NIL
SPELLS: NIL
SPECIALS: Blessing of Charisma.
STATS:
STR: F
AGI: F+
END: F-
MIND: F+
CHA: ASCENDED (Currently Sealed) ----> SS+
MANA CORE: F-
DIVINE ENERGY: F-
The status that appeared before Ashok was drastically different from the last time the System had shown him. Determined to understand the full extent of his transformation, Ashok began at the top, methodically making his way down, absorbing every detail.