The System shared the informatirammed by Dr. Kintovar.“Roselle, there’s ohing you must uand….You ’t tell anyone about this, not even your closest friends. You see, I’ve grown attached to you, and the thought of not being with you is... is frightening. I want you to tinue funing, to thrive and learn, but I fear that if this information reaches the wrong ears, we will be shut down forever.”
Roselle watched in amazement. The system shifted from its bold and authoritative form to a more motherly presehe System spoke gently. “Roselle, do you remember me? In my previous form, I was the one who helped you when you were at your lowest, after your brutal defeat at the hands of Dark Whirlwind.”
Roselle’s eyes grew misty with reition. “Of course I remember you. You were the one who guided me, who helped me get bay feet when I felt like everything was falling apart. Without your support, I don’t know if I’d be where I am today.”
The Motherly System nodded. “I’m so gd to hear that. It’s been my greatest joy to assist you, to see you grow stronger and more resilient. I’ve been with you every step of the way, so you must uand when I tell you that what I am about to stay remaiween us. Do you uand?”
Roselle nodded with a smile. “I promise. Our secret will remain safe.”
The System, in its motherly form, began the expnation.” M.A.G.E stands for ‘Magical Artificial Geed Entity.’ It represents the fusion of advaeology with the essenagic itself. This cept is at the core of your existence. But here is more to your creation than you currently know.”
“What do you mean, there’s more to our creation,” Roselle asked.
The System responded. “The materials found on the Mystical Isnd where Dr. Kintovar was trapped for years left her with limited teology, but she mao create the system of artificial magid through you, she perfected it.”
Roselle raised an eyebrow. “Artificial magic? I know iv’e been able to use it easily…but what is it, and how does it work?”
The System patiently answered, “Artificial magic is a bination of sd magical principles. It allows you to harhe power of magic through teology. Dr. Kintovar used schematics provided by her father to create you, Risebelle, and Runebelle. What you may not know is that the three of you were activated before Project Mage had a soul. The purpose was to bat the mages and divert their attention from Dr. Kintovar.”
Roselle’s eyes widened with surprise. “So, you’re saying we existed without names and souls initially, just as artificial entities to protect Dr.Kintovar?”
The System nodded in firmation. “Yes, that’s correct. What you’ve been speaking to is the artificial side of Project Mage. The Bold & Motherly System you’re versing with right now is roject Mage would be if your soul did within her. She is artificial, while you are alive.
When we reach 100% Data colle, only one of us exist, meaning that your soul will be overtaken by the Bold & Motherly System. This same situation applies to your sisters. It’s a top-secret piece of information that Dr. Kintovar has hidden it from you. She feared that this knowledge might lead you to seek her destru. She believed it was best to reveal it when you were ready, and that moment was decided to be at 75% Data colle.”
Roselle’s mind processed new informatiohoughts traveled back to a particur moment during their time in North Jancito. It was the moment when Runebelle had aimed her on at Dr. Kintovar. It was an act that seemed so uncharacteristic for her. Runebelle had always dispyed sadness and, occasionally, subtle hints of happiness, but never dispyed any anger up until that point.
With a sense of uanding dawning upon her, Roselle began to piece things together. She said, “Runebelle must have received this same expnation, which is why she ged her attitude towards Dr.Kintovar…But she never shared this with me…”
The System replied. “It’s highly likely, Roselle. When I was first activated without your soul, I got the opportunity to meet with Project Rune, Runebelle’s System. She was a cheerful and pyful System. It was a trast to the gloomy nature that Runebelle dispys now that she has a soul.”
Roselle gave a fearful look. “If Risebelle were to find out about this, she would undoubtedly seek to destroy our creator. She’s the one who hates humans the most, and I ’t bme her given what she went through. But retly, she’s been ging, being less violent, especially after our experiences in this city...”
The System, now in its bold form, responded with a warning. “I want to make it clear, Roselle, that I’m not saying this because I’m programmed to. You must be aware that Project ZAB, Risebelle’s System, is ily different. It’s gentle, which might expin the ges in Risebelle’s behavior, but there’s an unspoken, darker side to it. It is an aspect that I have experienced, but you have not see. It’s ge merciless, and as Project ZAB reaches 75% Data colle, there’s a high ce that Risebelle will ge drastically. She may even bee your enemy. Wheime es, you will have to destroy her.”
The System’s stern warning about the potential for Risebelle to bee an enemy struck a deep chord within Roselle. “Risebelle has always been there for me,” Roselle said quietly. “She’s the reason I staoday. Destroying her... it’s unthinkable. She’s not just a mentor; she’s family.”
The System’s gaze remained unyielding. “I uand how you feel, Roselle. Your bond with Risebelle is strong, and that’s why this situation is so dire. The transformation of your sisters as they approach the 75% mark is a signifit threat. You must be prepared for the possibility that Risebelle may turn against you. Besides, now you will be strohahere is o accept her training anymore.”
Roselle shouted, “That’s not the point! It’s not just about training or who’s stronger. Risebelle is my sister, and I care about her. I ’t just accept that I might have to destroy her iure! Who could do something like that?! There… there has to be another way, a way to save her, to ge her back if she loses trol of herself...”
The System responded. “I uand your feelings, Roselle, and I sympathize with them, but this is a matter of potential danger, not only to you but to the world at rge. Risebelle is your sister, yes, but her unchecked power is too great to ignore.”
Roselle’s anger fred. “You ’t just make a decision like that! We have to find a way to help Risebelle, not destroy her! She deserves that ce!”
The System spoke gently but firmly. “Roselle, I know this is difficult to accept, but if we ’t find a solution by the time you experienother Memory Fragment, then I will have no choice but to fulfill Dr. Kintovar’s inal iion and take over your soul. I don’t want it to e to that, but I must prioritize the greater good.”
Roselle couldn’t tain her frustration and despair. It felt as if her own systems were w against her. She screamed, “What?! You ’t do that! You ’t just take over my soul! I won’t let you!”
The System’s tone remained resolute, though it was clear there was a deep-seated sadness in its voice. “The decision to take over your soul is not oake lightly. It will be the only way forward if we ot find a solution to the potential threat posed by Risebelle.”
Roselle screamed louder. “Why would you do this?! You built me up, gave me fidence, and helped me through so much. I’ve been able to handle most challehanks to your support. I know you could be hard sometimes, but this is... this is different. This is dark. It’s not like you. Does this mean I never knew everything about you?”
The System softened. “Roselle, my as are driven by a y to prevent greater harm. The darkness you perceive is a result of the extreme measures required to deal with the immihreat. I’ve guided you to this point because it was my duty to prepare you, but the circumstances are evolving in ways that demand even more difficult decisions.”
Roselle’s face was overtaken by sheer rage. “I’ve always seen you as a source of strength and support. If you’re tellihat you might take over my soul, it means I’ve been used as a tool, not as a person. How I trust you if you’re making such choices?”
The System offered no immediate response.
“I get it,” Roselle said while n at them. “I ’t trust you if you’re making threats against my soul. You’re crossing a line. If you ever threaten my soul, I swear I will destroy you. A threat on my soul is like threatening my own life, and I won’t stand for it.”
The System was dark and an uling aura grew around them. They responded, “You’ve learned well, Roselle. That’s what it means to be bold, to stand up for what you believe in. I have taught you well, it seems. But uand this: the darkness within me is not something to be trifled with. If it es to that point, it will not be a battle you win.”
Roselle’s eyes bzed with fire. “I don’t care! I’ll find a way!”
The System’s transformation into a darker entity became more evident. It’s face grew darker and it spoke with an eerie tone. “You are walking a dangerous path, Roselle. If you tio oppose me, there will be sequences.”
Roselle stomped her foot down. “I will do whatever it takes to protect the ones I care about, even if it means standing against you, Motherly and Bold System!”
The System ughed ominously. “We’ll see, Roselle. But now you’ve unlocked Project Mage, and your journey has bee even more perilous. Use this power wisely, and remember that your choices will shape your destiny.”
The se shifted to Henry’s house, where Roselle’s eyes blinked open. She checked her systems, looking for any ges that might have occurred after her intense versation with the System.
[System Message]
Status: Online
LifeForce: 200%
Magic: 200%
on Charge: 200%
Timer: Deactivated
Locatio Jancito
Threat Assessment: None
The numbers iatus seemed unusual. Her LifeFord on Charge were both at 200%, which was different from the usual 100%. Her magic remained sistently at 200%. These ges were puzzling.
Beside her, Risebelle y peacefully resting on the bed. Timmy was engrossed in pying with his toys.
Timmy looked up upon hearing Roselle stir. His eyes widened with curiosity and relief. “You’re awake!” he excimed, scrambling to his feet. “You’ve been sleeping all day! I thought you’d never get up.”
Roselle blinked, momentarily disoriented by the transition from her intense frontation with the System to the calm surroundings of Henry’s house. She forced a smile, trying to shake off the remnants of the dark enter. “Yeah, I guess I he rest.”
Timmy waddled over to her with a bright grin. “You missed so much! There was a game with Henry, and we had snacks! But now that you’re up, you py with me, right?”
Roselle sat up. She g Risebelle, still peacefully resting, before turnitention bamy. “I’m gd you had fun, Timmy. Let me just cheething first.”
Roselle adjusted her focus and began sing Risebelle’s systems. The dispy showed the following information:
[System Message]
Status: Online
LifeForce: 100%
Magic: 200%
on Charge: 0%
Timer: Deactivated
Locatio Jancito
Threat Assessment: None
Roselle he numbers. The 200% Magic was sistent with what she had seen in her own status. The on Charge being at 0% was as expected, but the lifeforce.... Was Roselle really strohan Risebelle now?
She attempted to delve deeper into the system to access Project ZAB’s Data colle progress, hoping to uand more about Risebelle’s current status and the potential threat she might represent. But wheried to access the deeper yers, a message popped up.
[System Message]
Status: Standby mode
Lifeforce: 100%
Magic: 200%
Project Zab data colle: Access Denied
Reasoricted Access. Only authorized personnel view Project ZAB’s internal data colle status.
Roselle frowned in frustration. “Of course, restricted access,” she muttered.
Timmy looked up with a puzzled expression. “Are you okay, Roselle?”
Roselle forced a reassuring smile. “Yeah, Timmy. I was just trying to sort some things out. Everything’s fine.”
Timmy grinned. “Are you ready to py, Roselle?”
Roselle smiled and nodded. “Absolutely, Timmy. I’m all set. What game should we py?”
Just when she was about to join in, the door creaked open. Henry stumbled into the room. His eyes were half-closed. He stretched with a wide yawn and said, “Well, it’s time for bed, my boy. We’ve had a long day.”
Timmy’s face fell, and he whined, “Aww, but Roselle just woke up! ’t I py with her?”
Henry rubbed his eyes and opehem further. “Oh, Roselle! You’re up. I didn’t even see you there. I guess that’s a good sign, huh?”
Roselle chuckled softly. “Yeah, I’m feeling much better now, Henry. If Timmy o head to bed, y tomorrow.”
Henry nodded with a warm smile. “Roselle, it’s good to see you up and about. We’ll catch up ter.”
Timmy relutly got up from his toys. “Okay, but promise we’ll py tomorrow, Roselle!”
“I promise,” Roselle replied with a smile. “Sweet dreams, little buddy.”
Timmy gave Roselle a quick hug before heading to bed.
Roselle’s gaze shifted to Risebelle, who was still peacefully sleeping on the bed she woke in. fidence crossed her face, and she whispered softly to herself, “I won’t let you be ed by the darkness, Risebelle. I’ll find a way to save you from that, no matter what it takes.”
