The 'Lore' section of the System had opened a new vista for Anya, confirming her suspicions about the deeper mechanics of this world and her own reincarnation. The concept of 'Aetheric Resonance' was particularly intriguing. It suggested that the very essence of Aether, though not overtly present, could still be accessed, perhaps through the System itself, or through a deeper understanding of this realm's unique energy.
She spent the next few days, hidden within the abandoned greenhouse, delving deeper into the System's functions. The 'Skills' tab, which had been empty before, now showed a faint, almost imperceptible glow around certain categories. She mentally tapped on 'Combat Arts.' A sub-menu appeared, listing various fighting styles, weapon proficiencies, and even some rudimentary energy manipulation techniques. Each had a System Point cost, far beyond her current 20 points.
Then, she noticed a small, almost hidden icon at the bottom of the 'Skills' page. It looked like a stylized, glowing seed. Curiosity piqued, she tapped it. A new panel materialized, titled 'Seed of Aethel.'
"Seed of Aethel: A dormant fragment of Host's past life essence. Can be cultivated to unlock innate abilities and accelerate Aetheric Resonance. Requires consistent energy input and mental focus. Current Cultivation Progress: 0.01%."
Her breath hitched. A fragment of her past life essence? This was it. This was the true secret of the System. It wasn't just a tool for gaining power; it was a conduit, a bridge back to her former glory. The rudimentary cultivation she had been practicing was unknowingly feeding this 'Seed.'
She immediately shifted her focus, directing all her mental energy and the subtle life force she was drawing from her surroundings into the 'Seed of Aethel.' The progress bar, agonizingly slow, began to tick upwards. It was a long-term investment, but the potential rewards were immense.
Next, she explored the 'Shop' again, now with a clearer understanding of her needs. She needed to accelerate the cultivation of the 'Seed of Aethel.' She filtered the items by 'Cultivation Aids.' A few options appeared: 'Basic Energy Potion,' 'Aetheric Catalyst (Minor),' and 'Meditation Manual (Beginner).' All were expensive, but the 'Basic Energy Potion' seemed the most immediate and effective way to boost her progress.
She still only had 20 System Points. Not enough. She needed more. And the only way to get more was to complete quests.
She returned to the 'Quests' tab. The 'Survive the Night' quest was long completed, its reward claimed. But a new quest had appeared, a subtle glow around its title: 'Volkov Family Disruption.'
"Quest: Volkov Family Disruption. Objective: Create significant discord within the Volkov household, leading to a noticeable shift in power dynamics. Reward: 50 System Points, 'Basic Stealth' Skill Book."
This was perfect. It aligned with her current subtle manipulations and offered a direct path to gaining more System Points. The 'Basic Stealth' skill would also be invaluable for her continued survival and future endeavors.
She smiled, a cold, calculating smile that would have sent shivers down the spines of her former enemies. The System was not just a guide; it was a partner in her revenge. It understood her needs, her desires. It was pushing her, subtly, towards her ultimate goal.
She began to formulate a plan. The subtle manipulations she had been employing were merely child's play. Now, with a clear objective and the promise of greater power, she would escalate. She would turn the Volkov household into a viper's nest, forcing its inhabitants to turn on each other, weakening them from within. And as they crumbled, she would rise.
The secrets of the System were slowly unveiling themselves, each revelation a new weapon in her arsenal. She was no longer just Anya Volkov, the weak noble daughter. She was Seraphina, the Empress of Aethel, with a powerful, enigmatic System at her command. And the world, unaware of the storm brewing within its midst, was about to feel her wrath.
[End of Chapter 9]