"Samrat Veins?" Rudra muttered aloud without thinking.
Aarav jumped, looking at him with wide, surprised eyes. "What? What are you talking about, Rudra?"
Rudra froze. 'Great, now Aarav probably thinks I've gone crazy. He's going to think I suffered permanent brain damage from that beating if I keep spouting random gibberish.'
Before the situation could escalate, Rudra forced a nervous laugh. "Nothing! Nothing at all. I was just... muttering to myself. Just a random thought from a dream I had."
Inside his mind, however, he was fuming. 'That Genesis! It stays silent while I'm alone, but the moment someone else is in the room, it starts talking? And what even are Samrat Veins? I already know if I ask, it'll just tell me it's a "long story" and to "wait for the future." It's a tired old script by now.'
He slowly stood up from the bed, feeling a strange, solid strength in his limbs that wasn't there before. He turned to his friend. "Let's go, Aarav. It's getting late, and we should get back to the orphanage quickly before Aunty changes her mind about discharging me."
The journey back to the orphanage was quiet. As they reached the familiar, weathered walls of their home, the usual stillness of the grounds settled around them.
As they walked, Rudra finally broke the silence. "Aarav, didn't you reach the final stage of Level 7 last week?"
Aarav looked over, mildly surprised. "Yeah, Rudra. A bit of pure luck and a lot of hard work, I guess."
Rudra shook his head firmly. "You shouldn't credit luck so much. It's your own discipline that made you this powerful."
As they continued walking, Rudra's mind drifted back to the cryptic words Genesis had spoken: The Samrat Veins. The phrase repeated in his head like a drumbeat.
He knew the history of their world, how everything had changed with the sudden emergence of mana. Humanity had evolved, but so had the beasts, turning harmless forests into death traps. Power was now the only currency, rigidly divided into stages. It all started with the 'Awakening,' the gateway that allowed a human to sense mana, followed by the grueling climb from Stage 0 to Stage 9 of the Fighter Foundation. From there, one could ascend even higher with the right materials and effort.
Yet, despite all this established knowledge, Genesis had insisted his body was different.
"Everything okay, Rudra?" Aarav asked, noticing his friend's distant gaze.
Rudra snapped back to reality. "Yeah... just thinking. You should probably head to the training grounds. If you stay here babysitting me, you'll fall behind."
Aarav let out a short, defensive laugh. "What are you talking about? Since when does hanging out with you make me fall behind? You're the one who needs to stop worrying about me and focus on your own recovery."
"I will," Rudra replied, his voice softening. "I just... I want to be alone for a bit."
Aarav softened as well, patting Rudra on the shoulder. "I understand. Just don't dwell on things you can't control. Next time you want to head out, call me first. And listen, you're stronger than you look, Rudra. Be proud of that and don't give up."
With a final encouraging nod, Aarav changed his route and headed toward the training grounds. Rudra watched him go for a moment before turning toward the small, sparse room assigned to him within the orphanage.
Aarav POV
After leaving Rudra, Aarav arrived at the training ground where a few other orphanage children were performing their basic workout routine. When Aarav arrived, one of them caught a glimpse of him and shouted to the others, "Hey!! Everyone, Aarav is here."
Hearing the shout, the others looked over, saw Aarav coming, and started walking in his direction. Arriving near the area where Aarav usually trained, one of them asked him about Rudra's condition, which they had heard about from the other kids.
"Hey! How are you doing? We wanted to ask about the condition Rudra is in. We heard that he was badly beaten up and you had to rush over to the hospital while carrying him on your back? Is he alright?"
Hearing the questions and the concern hidden behind his friends' words, Aarav cheerfully and energetically replied to wave off their worry. "Oh, everyone! I am fine, thanks for asking. About Rudra's injury, you don't have to worry about him. He just got minor injuries. Thank the Lord that I arrived early before it got worse."
One of them replied, "Oh, thank the Lord! When we heard about his condition, we thought something major had happened. Do you know about the boys who were beating him?"
Hearing this, Aarav replied, "No, I do not know who they were or why they were beating him. He didn't tell me about the people who were beating him, but said he will take care of it and not to worry about him. So, we should not concern ourselves with them but should train ourselves so the same thing does not happen to any of us."
All of them energetically replied, "Yeah! Let's start by running 10 laps of the ground, and whoever finishes last will wash the clothes of all the others."
Hearing this, all of them started their laps, running around happily.
Rudra's Room
As soon as the door clicked shut, Rudra went straight to his bed. The room was small and dim, but it was the only place he felt safe. Looking around to make sure he was alone, he spoke into the silence.
"Hey, Genesis."
[Yes,] the voice replied from inside him.
After a heavy silence, Rudra asked, "You said something about 'Samrat.' What does that mean?"
Genesis replied, [Samrat veins means that, once awakened, can rule the world. But such veins should not exist in a small place like this. That is why I am confused.]
Hearing this, Rudra was stunned. "Rule the world? What does that even mean?"
Genesis continued, [Leave that for now. To fix your veins, we need a few things: Roots of the Trambo Tree and nine Magical Stones.] After a short pause, the voice added, [And two Tornado-level animal cores.]
Rudra's heart dropped. "What? Tornado-level? They are thousands of times stronger than Fighter Level! Two cores is impossible!"
Genesis's voice rose to calm him down. [You are mistaken. Power does not work like that. Listen carefully: first is Fighter Level, then Elite Level, and then Tornado Level. Tornado is not the final level; it is only the third level. To me, Tornado-level animals are just beginner beasts.]
Rudra swallowed hard. "But… how will I kill them?"
[You won't,] Genesis replied calmly. [Neither will your friend Aarav. You don't need to kill them. You need to buy the cores.]
Rudra looked shocked. "Buy them? I don't have that much money. I can't even buy one Tornado-level core."
The room fell silent as the weight of his poverty crushed down on him. After a while, Genesis spoke again, his voice quiet.
[Rudra … what is the most expensive thing in this world?]
There was a pause. Rudra thought aloud. "Medicines made by chemists… they sell for extremely high prices."
Genesis responded immediately. [Chemist… I see.]
Then the system declared, [I will not define your power by old rules.]
Rudra frowned. "What do you mean?"
[Your power will be defined by levels of skills. Level 1. Level 2. Level 3.]
Rudra's mind raced. "So my power will be different?"
[Yes. Your power will be skill-based.]
Then Genesis said something unexpected. [I will unlock Chemist skills for you.]
Rudra almost jumped off the bed. "Chemist? A medicine maker?"
[Yes,] Genesis said firmly. [You must become a chemist. You will make medicines. You will sell them. You will earn money. There is no other option.]
Rudra felt nervous. "But where will I find medicines? Ingredients? Formulas?"
Before he could continue his rambling, Genesis stopped him. [All that comes later. First, tell me are you ready to become a chemist?]
Rudra hesitated. "Are there other skills besides chemist?"
Genesis replied lightly, [I am not that kind of system. I am a device that helps you grow. I can even prepare you for the great advisory you face for the future. But you don't need to know that now.]
Silence filled the room again. Then Genesis asked, [So… will you become a chemist?]
Rudra took a deep breath. Without money, he could not buy cores. Without medicines, he could not survive.
He closed his eyes and said, "Yes. I will become a chemist."
[Good,] Genesis replied. [Then… Close your eyes.]
And as Rudra closed his eyes, he didn't know that something entirely new was about to begin.
As Genesis said Rudra closed his eyes, the darkness surrounding his thought started to clear out.
Something new unfolded before him a glowing blue interface suspended in the void. A calm, emotionless voice echoed around him.
[System Interface]
Name: Rudra
Skill: None
Power Level: 0
Skills: Locked
Veins Status: Injured
Overall Rating: 0%
Rudra stared at the glowing screen in front of him, his eyes wide with disbelief.
As Rudra stared at the screen floating in front of him, his heart sank. The skill list was empty, and his level was a flat zero.
[You are correct,] Genesis replied, its voice echoing with its usual calm. [However, the system is currently in a dormant state. In order to initialize your path, you must explicitly command it. Simply say: 'Unlock Chemist.']
"What is the meaning of this, Genesis?" Rudra demanded, his frustration bubbling over. "I don't have a level? Didn't you tell me that I will unlock 'Chemist' skill'? "
Hearing this, Rudra didn't hesitate. "Unlock Chemist!"
For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then, a surge of magical energy ignited deep within his chest. It felt like a long-forgotten power was finally shaking off its slumber and roaring to life. The air around him seemed to vibrate.
Trembling with anticipation, he called up his status window once more. His eyes darted to the skill section, and there it was: [Skill: Chemist (Unlocked)]
A wave of pure joy washed over him. For the first time in his life, he wasn't just the "abandoned" kid; he had something and this spark of power that was truly his own. He allowed himself to rejoice in the moment, but the celebration was short-lived.
As he scrolled further down the interface, his gaze fell upon the numbers in his attribute stats, and his smile slowly began to fade.
Level 0.
Power Level 0.
Progress 0%.
"Everything is here," he said softly. "I can see my levels, skills, and powers. But looking at these numbers... I am useless right now."
Hearing this, Genesis replied, [Rudra, do not worry. This is only the beginning. Every great starts from zero.]
Rudra calmed down as the voice continued. [You have already unlocked Chemist. That is in itself a huge achievement. Now, you will start learning how to create basic serums.]
Rudra's heartbeat quickened. "Serums? Like, for survival?"
[Yes,] Genesis answered. [Simple ones to keep you alive.]
Rudra straightened his posture, feeling a spark of hope. "Which ones are we going to make first?"
After a brief silence, Genesis spoke. [You will learn to create Basic Healing Potions, Minor Stamina Recovery Potions, and other basic medicines.]
Rudra's eyes widened in surprise. "I have to make all of these myself?"
[Yes, you will,] Genesis replied firmly.
Rudra hesitated for a moment. "But where will I learn how to make all of this?"
Genesis's voice was full of confidence. [Don't worry. I already have the solution.]
Rudra's curiosity grew. "Oh? Then tell me."
[Repeat what I am about to say,] Genesis replied. [Open Chemist Level 1.]
Without thinking twice, Rudra said, "Okay... Open Chemist Level 1."
Immediately, a new panel opened in front of him, showing a long list of recipes:
Basic Healing Liquid
Minor Stamina Recovery Potion
Minor Mana Recovery Potion
...
Seeing so many items on the list, Rudra's head began to spin. "Do I have to make all of these?"
[No,] Genesis replied immediately. [You don't need to make everything. You only need to make a few medicines, sell them, and earn money.]
Rudra felt relieved. "I see... But then, which one should I start with?"
Genesis answered without hesitation. [First, you should create the Minor Mana Recovery Potion.]
Rudra cocked his head. "Why that one?"
Genesis began explaining patiently. [In your world, mana recovery is extremely slow. In backward regions like this one, mana exists in very small quantities. Normally, if someone uses up all their mana, it takes nearly ten hours to recover.]
Rudra frowned. "Ten… hours?"
[Yes. That's almost ten times slower than normal. That's why this medicine will sell for a very high price.]
The same screen with new data once more.
Rudra took a deep breath. "I understand." Then he said, "Open Minor Mana Recovery Liquid."
Before Rudra could even process the new interface, Genesis's voice drifted through his mind, dripping with exaggerated relief and thick sarcasm.
[Oh, wow. Look at you! You actually managed to do that without begging for help. I'm genuinely impressed. Truly. I was starting to think you were so, so incredibly dim-witted that I'd have to explain how to breathe next. Thank the heavens you proved me wrong; I was terrified I'd be stuck babysitting a brainless child for the rest of eternity.]
Rudra's eye twitched, but he refused to give the voice the satisfaction of an argument. He took a deep breath, mentally shoved Genesis's insults into a dark corner of his mind, and focused entirely on the glowing screen hovering before him.
[Minor Mana Recovery Liquid]
Required Herbs:
Blueleaf Grass
Glowroot
Mistflower
Softmana Moss
Clearwater Leaf
Optional Rare Add-ons (Risky but Powerful):
Ember Seed
Silver Dew Drop
Rudra scanned the list of ingredients, his eyes widening at the rare names. "Genesis... where am I supposed to find all these herbs? I'm just a kid in an orphanage, not a master botanist."
[Oh? And why would that be my concern?] Genesis's voice practically dripped with mock sympathy. [Didn't you just say I was scamming you? I'm terrified that if I send you anywhere and you happen to trip over a pebble and die, you'll start haunting me with your constant complaining. No, no. You're a big boy. Find them yourself.]
Rudra's shoulders slumped. He knew when he was beaten. "Okay, okay! I'm sorry about the scamming comment. Please, just help me."
[Fine. Since you asked so nicely... wait. Let me sense the medicinal herbs in the vicinity.]
The room fell into a heavy, expectant silence. A few seconds ticked by. Then a few more.