In front of Lux hovered a glowing holographic screen. Was he going crazy? Maybe he hurt his brain when he reincarnated.
He looked around again. All he could see was a river of blood stretching endlessly, and in the distance, a bizarre golden tree that shimmered unnaturally. He tried to run toward it, but his tiny legs, barely steady and barely strong, couldn't take him far. No matter how hard he tried, the tree never got closer.
It was just him… and the screen.
But something was different now. It was brighter and shinier. Almost as if it was… watching him back.
[ System: ] [ Do you want to be a God? Become a Superstar! ]
"..." Lux stared at the screen, his gaze sharp and suspicious.
Superstars are individuals who go beyond the usual limits of fame. They are icons known and admired across countries and generations. Superstars are not just popular. A single word holds the power that could make millions go craze. They are deeply admired and influential, to the point where some people reverend them as gods.
Lux and his mother, Charlotte, would often watch a minor Superstar's cooking show. But aside from that, Superstars never really entertained him. To Lux, their flashy talents felt hollow, mere trivialities unworthy of his attention or time.
However, unlike the superstars who existed before the Era of Dark Energy, today's superstars are danger magnets. Fame has become a double-edged sword.
On one hand, becoming a superstar comes with unimaginable power, influence, and wealth. One appearance can shift entire markets, and a single endorsement can spark nation's action. Some superstars are even given the position of state ambassadors, with access to classified facilities and advanced Dark Energy technology.
But on the other side, that very visibility puts a target on their backs.
In the age of Dark Energy, power invites conflict, and superstars are no exception. They're dragged into political crossfire, targeted by radical groups, stalked by obsessive fans, and even kidnapped by rival nations seeking to exploit their fame. With constant surveillance and rising threats, their safety is fragile. Every move, word, or misstep can spark disaster.
But for Lux, after living five years in this world, he had become fascinated by its technologies and the potential for more. The freedom to access classified facilities and advanced Dark Energy technology was a great opportunity. That is why...
"I refuse!" Lux declared resolutely, his voice unwavering.
[ System: ] [ Nani? ]
"Oh? It spoke?" Lux said with mild intrigue. "Why did you only choose to speak now?"
[ System: ] [ Hi Host~! I am an interactive system that will assist the Host during his recuperation. The Host must become a Superstar during this period! ]
"I still refuse."Superstar? Lux scoffed. He had once been Uzziah — the feared Cult Leader and a formidable Dark Mage.
Fame held no value for Lux. He had no interest in associating with people called "fans," nor did he want to perform in front of millions. What mattered were dignity, strength, and control. Well… except for food. Food, for Lux, was always important.
[ System: ] [ WHYYY!!! ]
"Tsk, this thing is too loud." Covering his ears, Lux frowned in annoyance. "You said you're going to assist me? Explain."
[ System: ] [ The Host lost its qualifications to become a god. Currently, the Host must recover enough Divine energy! Showing the Host stats.... ]
___
[ System: ]
[ Host: Lux Bennett (Uzziah De Iostred)
Age: 5 (406)
Title: Heretical Dark Mage (Lock), Cult Leader (S-)
Trait: Aura of Mysticism (S-)
Ability: Belief Conversion (S-)
Divine Points - 2 ]
___
"This?!!" Lux was stunned. He never expected to come across these familiar words again. From his former title as the Heretical Dark Mage and Cult Leader, to the Iostred family's secret art—the Aura of Mysticism.
The Aura of Mysticism was more than enough to remind him of who he once was.
From his former life, each elite member of the Iostred family was privileged to learn their secret technique. Those who mastered it could awaken a rare skill known as Belief Conversion. Yet only the truly gifted could ever master it.
Belief Conversion was a skill that allowed that allow one to transform a follower's devotion directly into raw power. It was this technique that allowed Uzziah to become the Cult Leader, feared across the entire continent
Since the moment he arrived on Earth, Lux had never once sensed mana. Without it, using the Iostred family's secret art was impossible. And yet, this thing knew about it...
"You! What are you?!" Lux shouted, his voice sharp and commanding.
[ System: ] [ Answering the host. The system that Host acquired during his previous life. I am the system that dwelled within the Insignia. Due to the Death of the Host, the system transferred your soul to ensure your survival. ]
Before his death, Uzziah merged with the Insignia — a relic older than time, housing a dormant system of cosmic law. As his body fell, the Insignia preserved his soul, securing it into its hidden core. The System, awakening for the first time in eons, searched the stars for a world he could live anew. And it found one.
There, it found an unborn child compatible with Uzziah's soul. Thus, Uzziah was reborn as Lux.
Yet upon arrival, the System fell dormant.
The process of transferring Uzziah's soul across dimensions drained its core energy to critical levels. To preserve both itself, the System entered a forced slumber, locking away its functions deep within Lux's soul. For five long years, it remained silent, slowly recovering the fragments of its lost power.
[System: ] [ Ahem! Without the system, the Host would likely not have survived! What the Host should do now is focus on restoring your power... by becoming a Superstar!]
Lux's expression darkened.
"A Superstar?" he repeated, his voice cold and sharp. "You dare suggest I parade myself like a clown for the masses?"
[ System: ] [ Correction. Achieving fame will exponentially increase access to resources, influence, and authority — all necessary for restoring the Host's former might. The more followers the Host has, the more Divinity will be accumulated! ]
"Divinity?!" Lux exclaimed, his eyes sharpening.
[System: ] [Yes, Host! The System will issue missions and rewards during the Host's recuperation period. Until the Host is qualified to ascend as a god once more, please gain more followers and accumulate Divinity as a Superstar.]
Lux narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth twitching into a cruel smirk.
For five years, Lux did nothing but sleep, read, eat, and communicate with his new parents. He felt hollow the more he discovered his past life's efforts would inevitably turn to ashes. His grand achievements, his terrifying name, his climb toward immortality — all erased by time and obscurity.
But now... now there was a path. A chance to rebuild, to reclaim what was stolen from him.
"Very well," he said. "If that is the path... then I will turn their adoration into chains. Chains they will gladly wear — until the day they kneel."