Lucien walked down the long hallway in silence, the echoes of clinking cutlery and laughter fading behind him. He kept his head lowered, hands clasped behind his back as he passed portraits of stern-faced ancestors glaring down at him from their gilded frames, men who had fought wars, governed cities, and built legacies. He wondered if his name would one day hang among theirs.
When he finally entered his room, he shut the door gently and leaned against it, exhaling a long, weary breath.
"E.Y.E," he said quietly.
[Hello Observer]
A glowing blue orb materialized before him, faintly hovering over his desk. It was no bigger than an apple, its light pulsing softly like a heartbeat. This was the first time he had actually seen it. Until now, E.Y.E had been nothing but a calm, disembodied voice whispering in his mind.
Lucien studied it with cautious awe. "Tell me something. What exactly are you?"
[E.Y.E stands for Enhanced Yield Entity- an adaptive cognitive construct designed to assist its host through analysis, data collection, and progression optimization.]
Lucien frowned slightly. "You told me that. It sounds... technical. Who created you?"
For a moment, the orb dimmed. Its tone shifted, sounding lower, almost secretive.
[Access Denied.]
[Creator information is classified under Level 100 clearance. You do not currently possess the required clearance to access this data.]
Lucien's eyes narrowed. "You can't even tell me who made you?"
[Negative. However, your creator authorized your full access to system functions once synchronization reaches 100%.]
Lucien sighed, rubbing his temple. "And how far am I?"
[Synchronization Progress: 3%.]
He began pacing across the room, his mind racing. "So... what exactly can you do for me right now?"
The orb brightened.
[SYSTEM FUNCTIONS – ACTIVE]
[1. Knowledge Acquisition – Scan documents, people, and environments. Learn languages, customs, secrets.
Use this function to gather information about your surroundings, uncover hidden truths, or learn skills faster than natural study allows.]
[2. Influence Management – Detect emotional patterns, vulnerabilities, and loyalty potential. Issue suggestions for subtle manipulation. Allows observation of relationships and social dynamics. Provides recommended actions to guide or sway others' thoughts, emotions, or behavior.]
[3. Resource Allocation – Track wealth, manpower, goods, and rare items. Optimize acquisition and management.
Provides a mental ledger of assets and opportunities. Suggests the most efficient way to gain, redistribute, or protect resources.]
[4. Mission Guidance – Generate step-by-step plans for network expansion. Calculate risk/reward ratios.
Produces dynamic plans for long-term goals, including building influence, completing tasks, or navigating political or social challenges.]
[5. Token Fabrication – Materialize loyalty anchors. Emotional resonance required. Strength of bond influences success.
Tokens amplify and stabilize existing feelings, reinforcing gratitude, fear, desire, or loyalty. Cannot create feelings from nothing; relies on bonds already present.]
Lucien listened in silence, absorbing every detail. When it finished, he murmured, "So these are my tools, knowledge, influence, resources, strategy… and tokens."
[Correct, Observer. Use them wisely. Each function can be activated independently, depending on your objective and environment. Success with one will compound the others.]
Lucien hesitated, then asked the question that had been gnawing at him since his awakening. "Earlier, you said my purpose was to influence this civilization. Does that mean I have to… build it?"
He began pacing again, fingers pressed to his lips as old memories from his past life flashed through his mind, nights spent watching conspiracy videos, reading about secret orders pulling the strings of empires.
The Illuminati… the shadow architects of civilization.
Wars, revolutions, economics, art, even religion - all subtly guided by unseen hands. Could that be what E.Y.E meant?
The orb flickered as if responding to his thoughts.
[Affirmative. Influence defines civilization. Civilization defines control. Your progression contributes to the hidden architecture of history.]
Lucien froze. "Hidden… architecture?"
[Observation: User comprehension expanding.]
A new tab appeared within his vision with a strange triangular emblem surrounded by an eye of light.
---
Name: Lucien Valemont
Rank: Illuminati Initiate
Synchronization: 3%
Directives: Observe. Influence. Control.
---
Lucien stared at the words, an uneasy smile creeping across his face. "So I really am one of them… part of the Illuminati."
He leaned back in his chair, thoughts spiraling. "Are there more like me? Others chosen by different systems?"
[Unconfirmed. However, probability of other entities existing across alternate civilizations: 72%.]
Lucien exhaled slowly, a chill running down his spine. The idea that there could be other reincarnates, each with their own hidden agenda, was both thrilling and terrifying.
He looked out the window at the sprawling estate below. Servants hustled, guards patrolled, life continued as normal.
They had no idea that their young lord had just been recruited into something far beyond mortal comprehension.
He smirked faintly. "Then I suppose it's time to start shaping history."
[Affirmative. Initiating Mission Guidance.]
[Objective: Establish first loyal node. Influence rating required: 60%+]
[Recommended Target: Martha – Emotional Resonance detected.]
Lucien sat on his bed, heart pounding against his ribs. The conspiracies were real, every wild theory, every hidden hand guiding history. And somehow, he had become part of it. The same secret world he had spent years researching in his past life was now opening its doors to him.
A strange mix of fear and exhilaration coursed through him. He was one of them now, one of those who shaped civilizations from the shadows. Influence, wealth, power… all of it was suddenly within reach. He could rise beyond kings and emperors. He could become the man who ruled everything.
But first, he had to complete his first mission: defeat his father and Eric in the afternoon duel.
It sounded simple, except both were stronger, faster, and far more experienced than him. Still, Lucien had something they didn't.
A system. A mind sharper than any sword.
He looked up, determination cutting through his thoughts. "E.Y.E," he said firmly. "I need your help."