Reborn: My Two Systems at War

Chapter 30: Step by Step

Resting in her bed, Tia embraced the serene ambiance of the room, accompanied by the rhythmic symphony of raindrops drumming upon her windowpanes. The scent of newly replaced bedsheets wafted gently, caressing her nose.

With nine points spent, she still had six more of them to distribute.

'Special ones look good, as more synergy between my other abilities is always welcome.'

At first glance, she immediately rejected the fire touch, feeling it was too underwhelming and redundant, 'What is a bit of heat when I can summon fire with pyrokinesis.'

The initial description had left much to be desired, lacking specifics regarding the generated temperature and the factors influencing it.

Fire conductivity, on the other hand, made her eyes shine in excitement, 'This is pretty cool,' she almost burst into laughter at her dumb joke before she calmed down, 'By focusing my points on enhancing pyrokinesis' sheer destructive force, I could rely on telekinesis for fine-tuning control, maneuverability, range, and speed,'

The potential for mastery over a harmonious fusion of these powers held an undeniable allure.

With her points dwindling down to a mere three, Tia shifted her attention to the final category, facing a pivotal choice. 'Should I spend all my points on telekinesis, or conserve some for a future enhancement of my pyrokinesis?'

In a contemplative pause, she weighed her options, considering each path's potential. After a measured reflection, a resolute nod affirmed her decision to invest her remaining points exclusively into elevating her telekinesis, 'Fire conductivity and my rather universal body adaptations will save me up a lot of points that I would otherwise have to spend on it. There is no problem with splurging here.'

She looked over all four enchantments she had, quickly dismissing the sensitivity from the pool. It made no sense to her, as with how she was using, the current sensitivity was more than sufficient.

'I don't need to know something's texture as its shape and hardness is enough to tell if it is a threat.'

The second she crossed out the range. Rather than focusing on engaging distant adversaries, her priority lay in overwhelming, subduing, and dominating her immediate surroundings. The potent firearm in her possession aptly fulfilled her long-range combat requirements.

'So it is power and control. With it, I should be easily able to move faster, and deflect incoming attacks, allowing me to close the distance if needed.'

The memory of her previous encounter with the drone continued to fuel a smoldering resentment within Tia. The frustration of her powers proving ineffectual against it stoked her ire.

Without her gun, she wouldn't even be able to harm it. She clenched her fists, determined never to repeat it again. She needed absolute raw power and control over it.

With it, she would be able to take care of any threat.

Beep!

<<<<<>>>>>

Your ability <Basic Telekinesis VI> was modified:

<Increased Control I>

<Increased Force II>

<Fire Conductivity I>

Your body was modified:

<Multi-Synaptic Control II>

<Energy Resonating Cells I>

<<<<<>>>>>

A wave of sleepiness suddenly surged inside of her, and her eyelids turned heavier. Soon her consciousness dissipated.

POV Inspector ???:

The dark-haired inspector sat in his chair. The rain drummed outside on the windows of his small office. Papers formed haphazard stacks upon his desk, mingling with half-eaten donuts left to rot.

His gaze remained transfixed on the radiant glow emitted by the screen, an ethereal image conjured by his table, portraying a figure swathed in a refined, obsidian-black suit, his voice resonating through the office.

"We are taking over."

"Give me more time. I can catch..."

"The Empire is making their moves, their fleet is threatening to invade this world. We can't afford a loose cannon to run around, causing chaos and havoc."

As the image faded, a bold red icon signaled the conclusion of the call, leaving the inspector to slump wearily into his chair, a sense of finality settling over him.

'The Bureau of External Security. The attack is merely a pretextthe Empire won't dare to strike directly. Something else is at play.' Instinctively, he sensed a disquieting undercurrent beneath the surface.

'Normally this would be handled by Internal Security, and they would likely not even bother to move personally. Instead, they would just let us handle it in their stead.'

His chair pivoted as he spun around, his gaze drawn upwards to the expanse beyond the window. The night sky, devoid of stars, was illuminated by the city's luminescence below.

'They will not attack. With the amount of defensive satellites, the invasion would be costly and not worth the gains.' Even though he wanted to be rational, there was a thread of worry in his heart, making him feel like something bad was going to happen.

The next morning:

POV Tia:

Tia's eyes snapped open, her pupils dilating as if awakened from a disturbing dream. Her head throbbed with a merciless intensity, reminiscent of a relentless hangover endured amidst the chaotic barrage of an artillery range.

Instinctively, her hands shot up to grasp her throbbing temples, her breaths becoming audible pants as she struggled against the searing agony.

The Handler's stern voice from the corner jolted her, "Are you going crazy again?"

The tall woman was leaning against the wall, observing her struggling in her bed.

Tia's thoughts spiraled into a panicked whirlwind as she felt vulnerable and exposed, watched while unconscious.

'How long has she been observing me? Was she silently witnessing this whole ordeal?'

"I have secured your permanent apartment," the woman's voice cut through Tia's turmoil, her tone crisp and unyielding. She extended her arm, and with a metallic jingle, a pair of keys settled onto the bed beside Tia. "The keys are there. You will find it on the first floor."

A sense of triumph surged within Tia, a smile spreading across her face despite the lingering discomfort that seemed to set her head ablaze.

"Is it safe to get some supplies?" she inquired, her enthusiasm mingled with a hint of caution.

"As long as you exercise prudence and avoid any foolish actions."

Finally, she had an opportunity to move with more freedom as she gained more permanent lodging instead of the cramped, dusty room. She could finish the one quest that was at a standstill for a long time.

'So I can finally start creating my workshop. There are so many tools I need to buy.'