NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Chapter 4
I stared at the screen, my mind churning as I processed the information. Despite my lofty title as a "Crow God," my current state was pitiful, barely above a newborn chick. My supposed authority over Crows was so weak it was almost laughable, and everything else was locked away, completely out of reach.
'This… is going to take a lot of work.'
The mention of my tier, 10-C, stung the most. It was a harsh reminder of how far I had to climb before I could even begin to scratch the surface of true power. Below average human level? I wasn't just weak, I was insignificant.
But the potential was there, shimmering behind those locked authorities like a tantalizing promise. Death. The Afterlife. Wisdom. Fortune. Destiny. Each one was a door waiting to be opened, a path to something greater. If I could unlock even one of these, I'd be a step closer to becoming the god I was meant to be.
For now, though, I was nothing more than a fledgling with a mountain to climb. But every great journey begins with a single step... or in my case, a single flutter of wings.
'How do I unlock them?' I wondered, frowning as I stared at the long list of locked Authorities. Each one felt so far out of reach, taunting me with its potential.
The system responded, its voice calm and matter-of-fact:
{Unlocking Authorities depends on the host meeting the necessary requirements. These can vary widely, through enlightenment, battle, or even unexpectedly waking up one day to find an Authority unlocked. However, unlocking an Authority is just the first step. True mastery requires extensive training and refinement.}
I let out a small sigh. As vague as the explanation was, it made sense. Nothing worthwhile would come easily.
{Your Authority over Crows is not locked, but it is currently extremely weak. Like all Authorities, it will require training and effort to improve. For now, I will let you toy around with it before I help you train in it.}
***
And so, my life as a baby crow began. In the natural order of things, crows typically stayed in the nest for only 20 to 40 days. But I had no intention of following that timeline. The nest was safe, a haven where I could focus on my training as a fledgling Crow God.
My Authority over Crows was still pathetically weak, but it granted me the power to influence other crows to some degree. This influence, while limited, was my first step toward mastering my potential. I tested it first on my parents, pushing the boundaries of my control. With sheer willpower, I directed them to perform simple tasks: rearranging the nest, fetching shiny objects, or standing guard.
I quickly learned the limitations of my power. The farther they moved from me, the weaker my authority became, until my control fizzled out entirely. But I didn't let that discourage me. Instead, I used it as an opportunity to train, challenging myself to strengthen the bond and extend my reach.
Through constant effort and experimentation, I realized something important: I didn't need the system's guidance to grow. My progress was slow and grueling, but it was real. Each day, I pushed myself harder, and each day, my control over my parents became just a bit sharper, a bit stronger.
[DING]
The sudden chime of the system startled me, shattering my concentration. I had been carefully controlling a group of ravens, directing them to gather food for me. The moment my focus wavered, my authority over them slipped, and chaos ensued.
The ravens, no longer under my influence, scattered in a flurry of wings, cawing in panic as they fled into the trees. I let out a sigh, annoyed at the interruption.
The system's voice followed, calm and indifferent:
[The Authority: (Crows) has been improved from Extremely Weak to Weak. The host's abilities have improved.]
My eyes widened as I felt it, the improvement, the undeniable growth of my capability over the crows. The shift was subtle at first, like a faint hum of power resonating through me, but the difference was clear. Where I once could only influence crows within a few dozen meters, my range had expanded dramatically. Now, so long as they were within my line of sight, I could control them.
Testing this newfound power, I focused on the crows that had fled moments earlier. With a single thought, the entire flock froze mid-air, their wings still as though the pause button had been pressed on reality itself. A surge of exhilaration coursed through me as, with another command, they pivoted sharply and flew back toward me in perfect synchronization.
I spent the next few moments experimenting, pushing the boundaries of my control. Each test revealed something new, a deeper understanding of my Authority over Crows.
I discovered I could now go beyond simple commands. With focus, I could enter their minds, planting loyalty directly into their very being. They would follow me, devoted and unwavering, as long as their mental state remained stable. However, I also noticed a limitation, intense stress or overwhelming external factors could shatter my influence, freeing them from my control.
One particularly fascinating breakthrough was my ability to issue orders that persisted even beyond my immediate range. I could plant a command in their minds and watch them carry it out regardless of distance. Even if they flew to the other side of the planet, they would execute the order with precision, unless something or someone disrupted their mental stability to a degree that severed my hold.
This progress was promising, it had only taken me a single day to improve my Authority over Crows from extremely weak to weak. At first, I'd estimated it would take at least two to five days to reach the next stage. But, as it turned out, moving further up the ladder was far more challenging than I had initially anticipated.
Even so, I refused to let my determination waver. While training my Authority, I devised another experiment. I directed the ravens to fly out and bring back poisonous plants, seeds, and berries from the surrounding area. The process was slow and required meticulous care, but eventually, I amassed a small collection of toxins.
Why would I do something so reckless? Simple. I diluted the poison and drank it, bit by bit, testing my body's tolerance. My goal wasn't to harm myself but to push my limits. I believed that exposing myself to controlled doses of poison might force my body to adapt, paving the way to awaken the Adaptability Authority.
As expected, my body fought fiercely against the poison. Each dose left me weak, trembling, and teetering on the edge of endurance. But with every struggle, I could feel it, my body adapting, slowly building resistance to the toxins.
The process was grueling, taking days of persistent effort. Every sip of diluted poison tested my resolve, but I pressed on, convinced that the pain was the price of progress. And then, finally, it happened.
{Congratulations, host. You have awakened the Authority: Adaptability. It is now Extremely Weak.}
The system's announcement echoed in my mind, and almost immediately, I felt a shift within me. My body, as though responding to some unseen command, began to change, growing stronger, more resilient, adapting to combat the poison that lingered in my system. The sensation was strange but undeniable, like a dormant part of me had finally awakened.
Curious, I decided to test this newfound ability. I swallowed another dose of diluted poison, expecting the usual discomfort. To my surprise, it had no effect. My body had already adapted, rendering the toxin harmless.
I upped the challenge. This time, I drank a less diluted portion of the poison. The reaction was immediate. A wave of exhaustion washed over me as I felt my body working, burning through its energy reserves to counteract the stronger toxin. It wasn't instant, but slowly, the effects subsided, leaving me weaker but unharmed.
The realization hit me: Adaptability wasn't just passive resistance, it was an active process. My body consumed energy to adjust and neutralize threats. The stronger the challenge, the more energy it required.
This was a double-edged sword, but also an incredible tool. Despite the exhaustion weighing down my body, a smirk tugged at my beak. I felt a glimmer of pride, progress always came with a price, and I was more than willing to pay it.
My body was drained, weak, and incapable of movement as it worked to recover its lost stamina. But I had adapted, and the poison that once threatened me now posed no harm. Even in this vulnerable state, my mind remained sharp, undeterred by the fatigue. Through sheer willpower, I commanded the crows once again, pushing my limits in an effort to strengthen my control.
Each day was a cycle of struggle and growth. My body adapted while my Authority over Crows became more refined. With every effort, I could feel my influence growing, my control extending further, and my commands carried out with greater precision.
And so, the days passed, each one bringing me closer to a turning point. Before long, the time had come for me to leave the nest. I was no longer the helpless hatchling I had been when this journey began.
The world outside awaited, and with it, new challenges and opportunities.