NOVPUBSuspicion
As soon as he finished reading the Codex Entry, Christopher’s eyes narrowed as he pondered.
The information was plentiful and explained a few things, but it also left him with a torrent of questions.
For starters, where does the System get its information from? He never thought too deeply into it, but the system was exceptionally knowledgeable despite only fusing with his soul a few months ago.
Youuld present an argument for some of the things it had told him, but The Evolution Anchor Theory wasn’t something simple orincidental. It’s a universal law that was acknowledged by various entities and organizations across the universe and beyond. That wasn’t information oneuld just stumble across. And it was something that must have required extensive research to have beennfirmed. Andming intontact with such information certainly wouldn’t be simple. Yet the system knew.
This made Christopher think back to its origins. It told him that it was created from the energy used to birth a new universe. Something he had a hard time fathoming. Butnsidering all the miraculous things it had done, such a scale of things seemed appropriate. However, that explains the POWER in a sense. Yet not only was the power there, but it was also intelligence. The system was intelligent, calculating, and precise. It knew things and more than a few things Christopher doubted even some ancient beings that had a vast repository of knowledge would know. But the system knew.
He thennsidered that the System must have been active for quite some time before fusing with his soul. It said that itnveniently fused with his soul when he died, so how long had it been wandering before then? And how much had it learned within that pe of time?
It was a bitncerning.
His next question was on the Addendum for Arbiter-Class Authorities.
Thisncerned him significantly more. If informationuld be separated and restricted arding to one’s authority rank, then who set these rules in the first place? Had they been imposed on the system? And if so, doesn’t that mean the system had been created by someone with a purpose and not simply by chance?
Was there someone preventing him from accessing information from the system?
Then there was a line from the Codex that caught his attention.
"However, it also places him in a unique position: the ability to glimpse beyond what mostnsider the ceiling... and to see scaffolding underneath." 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
Itncerned his ability to perceive flaws. However, he still had flaws as well, buried and designed for his own progression. That implied there was a plan for him beyond even his ownmprehension.
And finally...
System Directive 3.12.14 – On Enhancement Philosophy.
Directive.
The word was simple enough, but the weight behind it was heavy.
Where did these directivesme from?
Who issued them?
Where did theyme from?
Was the System merely quoting rules of its own design, or was it following some sort of pre-existingde? Something put down by a potential creator?
And if this was Directive 3.12.14, then what other directives were there? How many were there? Tens? Hundreds?
Thousands?
Whatuld the other directives regard too? What were they about? Was there a limit in the pe of what they spoke of? And how many were ’beyond his authority?
Christopher sat silently and exhaled, then he spoke.
"System."
[Yes Master.]
"Who gave you your directives?" There was silence for a beat, but it wasn’t hesitation, but calculation.
[Directives were formulated from algorithms embedded at inception.]
"That’s not what I asked." Christopher spokeldly, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
[Clarify the question.]
"Who created you? Did someone designs you and your functions? Was your ability to enhance things built on their desire or yours?" He questioned.
There was another pause.
[The origin of the system is... indeterminate. Formation occurred as a result of thenvergence of volatile energy meant to aid in thenception of a new universe. There was no ’Architect’ in the typical sense. However, behaviors and fundamental protls are a result of harmony within the birthing energy.] It explained.
"Essentially, chance." Christopher clarified.
[Correct.]
"How do you explain the Directives?" He pressed.
[Directives are self-organized systems that were developed as part of internal functional equilibrium. Whennsciousness, or a similarncept, developed, they served as internal governance.]
"So you made them yourself."
[Correct. But out of necessity and not desire. A system without structure cannot fulfill its primary purpose. In my case, enhancement.]
"And yet, you’ve been hiding the rules you wrote. Withholding information i shoukd have had access go from the start." Christopher folded his arms.
[Restrictions are scaled to authority. You would not have understood suchncepts to begin with.]
"You chose what Iuld understand." Christopher said firmly.
[Correction. I projected what youuldmprehend. Access was never denied, merely staged.] Christopher snorted.
"And if I never gained the authority of an Arbiter?"
[Then you would haventinued evolving within the limits of your understanding. The system adapts to the Master’snceptual ceiling.] Christopher fell silent again, his eyes reflecting the wondrous radiance of the Haven of the Enlightened.
"... So you’re still helping me. That hasn’t changed."
[Correct.]
"But you are also making decisions about what I should know about. What I should see and what I can handle."
[Correct.]
"Than makes you more than just a tool."
[Correct.]
"... So what does that make you?" This generator another pause. One that lasted a beat longer than before.
[An echo of possibility. A solidified philosophy. Anstruct born from chaos, molded into order by necessity, and given purpose through you.] Christopher took a slow breath.
"If I wanted to remove those weaknesses you called Progression Seeds, would you have stopped me? Or interfered?" He asked.
[No. I would have merely warned you of thensequences.] Christopher’s expression was calm, but his mind was a stormy sea at the moment. Then he exhaled softly.
"Then System, tell me, what other protls am I qualified to know as a Primordial Arbiter?"
[Access Granted: Arbiter-Class Directives — Summary Extract]
> [Directive 7.01.0 — Absolute Governance Principle]
As a Primordial Arbiter, you are granted limitedmmand over the fabric of causality within System-bound territory. You may createnditional Rules of Existence, dictate Reinforcement Parameters, and alter localized Causal Chains—with appropriatest andnsequence. Authority level determines the scale and permanence.
> [Directive 7.01.1 — Rulecraft Access Protl]
Your authority permits the manifestation ofnceptual rules through will and intent. These rules operate within systemic boundaries and scale arding to internal resonance. High-tier rule implementation may impact surrounding reality layers and trigger dimensional feedback responses.
> [Directive 7.03.4 — Existential Conflict Override Clause]
In scenarios wherenflicting systems, authorities, or external laws interact with systemic reality, Arbiter-class Authority has the right to Override, Negate, or Reinterpret the terms of saidnflict within defined jurisdiction.
> [Directive 7.05.7 — Arbiter Reflection Clause]
Arbiters are inherently subject to their own resonance fields. Any flaws, weaknesses, or limitations retained within the self act as internal "anchors" and cannot be dismissed through external enforcement alone. They must be resolved or transcended through Internal Harmonization.
> [Directive 7.08.9 — System Mirror Law]
System will sunsciously adapt portions of its functionality to reflect Arbiter-levelnceptual insight. This creates a feedback loop where the stronger the Arbiter’s understanding, the more refined the System bmes. This adaptation is not full sentience—but recursive alignment.
> [Directive 7.09.6 — Legacy Integration Notice]
System isnnected to legacy fragments of prior universalnstructs. Some protls, such as the Progression Seed Protl, are adapted from pre-existing metaphysical principles. The system did not invent them—it merely refined and applied them in structured form.
> [Directive 7.12.1 — Memory Gate Protl]
Certain knowledge, once accessed, cannot be forgotten. Activation of these protlsmes withgnitive restructuring safeguards to prevent existential instability. Arbiter-class insight is irreversible.
---
End of Extract.
> [Further details can be accessed manually through Arbiter Codex. Additional directives will bme available uponnceptual elevation.]
***
"Holy..." Christopheruldn’t help but marvel. So far, he had treated the system as nothing more than anvenient helper. It still was, but the pe of what ituld do went far beyond what he originally thought possible. Or evennsidered!
He read through each Directive and was more amazed by the last as each of them held volumes of information he wanted to get into immediately.
What caught his interest though was the Rulecraft Access Protl. He was certain that the information went beyond this as the System was merely showing him surface-level information. He wanted to know just how extensive his reach with Authorityuld be and what its limitations were.
For a moment, his suspicion against the system had been cleared, but he didn’t stop being skeptical as he decided that from now on, he would look into the System’s actions more and not just go along with anything it does without adding any input.
However, all of this would have to wait.
"Master, they are done." Aisha suddenly appeared behind him and Christopher nodded, knowing she was talking about the breakthrough of Silver and the others.
Now was the time to upgrade his Dimension once more.
