WHEN I CAN CONTROL MY FATE SOMETIMES

The air seemed to grow heavier as the old man's words settled over them. Yamino tightened his grip on the stone, determination flashing in his eyes. Whatever lay ahead, he knew they couldn't turn back now.

Suddenly, a shimmering panel materialized before Yamino, displaying the words:

[ CHOICE SYSTEM ACTIVATED ]

[ Break this stone with your own hand. Reward: ??? ]

[ Ask for nine more stones and break them together. Reward: ??? ]

The rewards for both choices were cloaked in mystery, replaced by nothing but enigmatic question marks. Yamino's brow furrowed as he stared at the panel, the weight of the decision pressing on him. The uncertainty gnawed at him, but his instincts pushed him toward the riskier path.

"Old man," Yamino began, his voice steady despite the tension. "I need nine more stones."

The old man's eyes narrowed sharply. "Are you insane? Those stones are not playthings. One is dangerous enough. Nine? That's sheer madness!"

Yamino stood firm, his gaze unyielding. "I'll owe you a favor," he said, the conviction in his voice surprising even Hikaru. "Whatever it takes, I'll repay it. Just trust me on this."

For a moment, the old man looked at Yamino as if weighing his soul. With a heavy sigh, he relented. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you. This path you're treading could lead to your destruction." He disappeared into the shadows of the room, returning moments later with a small bag. The faint glow of the stones inside illuminated his weary face.

Yamino took the bag, bowing slightly in gratitude. He unwrapped a long, dark robe from his belongings and placed all ten stones carefully in its center. Hikaru's expression shifted from confusion to outright alarm.

"Yamino, what are you doing?" Hikaru asked, his voice trembling. "This is crazy! You don't even know what's going to happen!"

Yamino didn't respond. He wrapped the stones tightly in the robe, creating a compact bundle. Taking a deep breath, he raised his fists and brought them down on the bundle with all his strength. The sound of shattering echoed through the room, accompanied by a burst of blinding light. Blood dripped from Yamino's hands, the shards of stone cutting into his skin. Yet he didn't stop, delivering punch after punch until the glow intensified, engulfing the room in an otherworldly brilliance.

"Stop it, Yamino!" Hikaru cried, tears streaming down his face as he rushed toward his friend. His voice quivered with a mix of panic and desperation. "You're hurting yourself! Please, stop before it's too late!"

Despite his protests, Hikaru couldn't bring himself to physically intervene. He was paralyzed, torn between stepping in to stop Yamino and respecting the determination etched into his every movement. The sight of blood dripping from Yamino's hands only deepened Hikaru's helplessness, his own tears blurring the intense glow now filling the room.

But Yamino's resolve was unshakable. With one final, powerful strike, the bundle disintegrated completely. The light swirled around him like a living entity, pulsating with raw energy. The air crackled, and the ground beneath them seemed to tremble. Hikaru shielded his eyes, his fear mingling with awe.

Then, everything stopped. It was like time itself had halted. A book materialized in midair, its cover glowing with an unearthly aura. As it opened, lines of text began to write themselves on the pages:

THE GRIMMORIE OF FATE

NAME: Yamino K. Ashura

Wielder of the Choice System

AGE: 14 Years

HP: 56 Years (Represents remaining life span, measured in years, reflecting Yamino's vitality and potential lifespan under normal conditions.)

SOUL GEAR: Nail Hammer; Snow Great-Axe

TRAIT: None

PATHWAY: None

[ DO YOU WANT TO UPDATE YOUR STATUS? ]

[ YOU HAVE 10,000,000,000,000 POINTS. ]

An idea suddenly struck Yamino as he stared at the interface. His mind raced with possibilities, and his fingers moved instinctively, navigating the panel with a mix of trepidation and excitement. "If this is real, then I need to make it count," he thought. He began editing carefully, his choices deliberate and measured. Each selection carried weight, as if the system itself was responding to his determination. Despite Hikaru's worried glances, Yamino felt a surge of confidence—this was his moment to shape his destiny.

THE GRIMMORIE OF FATE

NAME: Yamino K. Shura

NICKNAME: Yami

Wielder of the Lender God System

Functions:

Choice System: Choose a choice and get a reward.

Lender System: Lend a power and get an evolved version of that power.

Sign-In System: Touch different people or go to new places, sign in, and get power.

AGE: 14 Years

HP: 56 Years (Represents remaining life span, measured in years, reflecting Yamino's vitality and potential lifespan under normal conditions.)

SOUL GEAR:

RINGS OF VILTANIUMONS: A set of 12 rings with different kinds of powers.

TRAIT: None

PATHWAY: None

Yamino looked at it and started to laugh. It had taken the majority of the points in the system upgrade, but it was worth it. This was only the beginning.

As time resumed, the heavy silence that had engulfed the room shattered. The old man's eyes darted around, his expression a mixture of confusion and apprehension. Hikaru, still shaken by the blinding light and Yamino's actions, stumbled forward.

"What just happened?" the old man demanded, his voice sharp with urgency. "The stones, the light—what did you do?"

Hikaru's eyes widened as he approached Yamino. "Yami, what was that? Are you okay? What did you… what did you awaken?"

Yamino glanced at the two, his expression unreadable. He flexed his hands, still bloodied but now steady. A faint smile played on his lips as he replied, "I awakened a ring."

"A ring?" Hikaru repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "What do you mean by a ring?"

Yamino didn't elaborate. He raised his hand slightly, and for a brief moment, a faint shimmer of light danced around his fingers before vanishing. "It's nothing you need to worry about," he said curtly, leaving no room for further questions.

The old man looked as though he wanted to press the issue but held back, his instincts warning him against meddling too deeply.

"Fine," Hikaru muttered, frustration creeping into his tone. "Then it's my turn." He strode over to his stone, his movements purposeful and resolute. Picking it up, he closed his eyes for a moment, steadying himself. Then, with a sharp breath, he brought his fist down on the stone.

The room was instantly bathed in an intense golden light as a beam shot down from the sky, piercing through the ceiling to envelop Hikaru. Yamino and the old man shielded their eyes, the brilliance almost too much to bear. The air vibrated with an otherworldly hum, and when the light faded, Hikaru was no longer the same.

Standing in the center of the room was someone… different. Hikaru's familiar features were now framed by flowing robes of orange and white, the fabric seeming to shimmer like the rays of the sun. His presence radiated warmth and authority, a stark contrast to the boy they had known moments ago.

"What just happened to you?" the old man asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Hikaru's eyes glowed faintly as he lifted his hand. A circular object, radiant and intricate, hovered above his palm. "This," he said, his voice deeper and more resonant, "is the Sun Chakra."

"Sun Chakra?" Yamino repeated, taking a cautious step forward.

Hikaru nodded, his lips curving into a confident smile. "It's my gear," he explained, spinning the chakra effortlessly on his finger. The spinning disk reflected beams of light across the room, casting intricate patterns on the walls. "And my pathway… it's called Sun General."

The old man's jaw tightened, his expression unreadable. "You two… you've stepped into something far beyond your understanding," he murmured.

Hikaru turned to Yamino, the playful glint in his eyes returning. "Well, Yami, looks like we're not ordinary anymore. What's next on your mysterious agenda?"

Yamino smirked, but his eyes betrayed the weight of his thoughts. "We'll figure it out. For now, let's see what these powers can really do."

The air seemed charged with anticipation, the faint hum of their newfound powers resonating in the room. Hikaru's robes seemed to shift slightly, as though alive with energy, while the Sun Chakra glimmered with a brilliance that was almost hypnotic. Yamino looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers as the faint shimmer of his own awakening lingered on his skin.

"What's this Sun General pathway all about?" Yamino asked, his voice curious but measured.

Hikaru grinned, spinning the chakra in a blur of motion. "From what I can feel, it's about control, energy, and… well, power. This chakra isn't just a weapon—it's a part of me now. It's like I can command light itself."

The old man stepped forward, his eyes scanning the two boys with a mix of awe and trepidation. "Listen, both of you. These powers you've awakened—they're not gifts. They're responsibilities. The forces you've tapped into are ancient, and they come with consequences."

Yamino nodded, his gaze steady. "We understand. But if these powers are meant to be used, then we'll make sure they're used for something worthwhile."

Hikaru chuckled softly. "And maybe have a little fun along the way."

The old man sighed, rubbing his temples. "I hope you two know what you're doing. This is just the beginning."

Yamino turned to Hikaru, his smirk returning. "If it's just the beginning, then we better be ready for what's next." He extended his hand, and Hikaru clasped it firmly, their eyes meeting in a moment of mutual resolve.

Outside, the night stretched on, the faint glow of the stars seeming to echo the light that now radiated from within the two boys. They had taken their first steps into a world of power and mystery, and though the road ahead was uncertain, one thing was clear—they were no longer ordinary.