Clyde frowned. "What about it?"
"The power of the system. You call it that. You can see your power in numbers and letters," said Maethion. "But actually it's just something to make things simpler."
Clyde decided to continue listening without saying anything first. He felt confused about what he said, what did he mean by making things simpler?
Noticing Clyde's questioning gaze, Maethion continued.
"That power is a simplified version of the Aetheric Nexus. What arrived at your world, and our world is that, The Aetherix Nexus. Something that awakens the hidden potential of all beings in that world.
The Aetheric Nexus is something mysterious that awakens the power you usually call Mana, magic, and various other powers.
We don't know what, and how it was created. But chances are, it's as old as time itself.
The power of the Celestials also comes from the Aetheric Nexus. However, they are born with it, not suddenly awakened like us."
Clyde was quite surprised by this revelation. He never thought about the source of the power of the system too much.
He thought the origin of the power was not important because usually from the novels he read, Clyde only knew how the power was used.
No one has ever mentioned 'what' actually is the power of the system.
Clyde let Maethion continue.
"That's why the power of the Celestials is so great and we can't match them. The power of the system was created by a group of powerful beings called the Order of Mindweaver.
They were ordered by the Celestials to create something that would allow the creatures to adapt more quickly and easily to the Aetheric Nexus. So, they created the system that you can see right now."
'So that's the origin of the system. Order of Mindweaver... if they were the creators of this system, then they were the ones who gave me that Private Attribute:Easy Mode.'
"However," Maethion continued. "The power of the Aetheric Nexus obtained by the system will be weaker than that of the Celestials."
"Because it's a shortcut?" Clyde asked.
"Correct." Maethion nodded. "Because of that, the Senior Council at Sivagadh Fortress wants to manually train the Aetheric Nexus that has awakened in the bodies of the creatures that are here with rigorous training.
So we were able to reach the same level of strength as the Celestials even if it took a very long time."
"But based on what I've experienced, we can get enough power if we use the power of the system," said Clyde. "We just need to level up to get stronger."
"No no no." Maethion shook his head vigorously. "You thought that you were strong. However, the system is also a tool for the Celestials to prevent anyone to rebel against them."
"What do you mean?" Clyde asked.
"The Celestials also ordered the Order of Mindweaver to create a limit in the system. So that the creatures that possess it cannot have greater power than them.
With that, the Celestials can keep them in control."
Clyde's eyes opened wide after hearing Maethion's words. That meant, the power he had thought to be extraordinary all along was actually a shackle holding him back.
The revelation felt like a punch to his heart. Clyde felt angry at himself for used to think that he was a blessed person.
"So the Senior Council created a barrier that prevented residents in this Fortress from using the power of the system," Maethion continued. "You already know about that, right?"
"Yeah..." Clyde nodded with a gloomy expression.
"You should hide this from the other Fortress residents because if they find out there will be a commotion."
Clyde nodded again.
"But for you and the five people you brought, we can provide an exception for the time being. Until you complete this expedition."
"Why?" Clyde asked, looking at Maethion.
"Because this expedition is very dangerous. With your current strength, I'm not sure you can make it through."
At first, Clyde wanted to do the mission so he could get a lot of experience to level up. But suddenly he gets a revelation that, it turns out the power of system he has is actually a shackle that will bind his strength.
So no matter how much Clyde gains strength with that power of the system, he can't get strong enough.
"Maybe I shouldn't have gone on an expedition," said Clyde.
"No. You have to do it. That way your power of the system will not be removed for now," replied Mathion.
"What's the use of the power of the system if in the end I'll just be shackled?" Clyde asked with a gloomy face.
"Because I know, your power of system is different."
Clyde's eyes blinked a few times at Maethion's words.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"There's something different about your power system. I don't know what it is... but maybe your system will lead you to a different result than the others."
Upon hearing it, Clyde's feeling, which was full of gloominess before, felt better. Could it be that the system was indeed different due to the existence of Private Attribute: Easy-Mode?
"However, I can't say the same to five other people," Maethion added something that wasn't very pleasant to hear.
It was indeed quite disappointing. But in his mind, Clyde still had the belief that somehow, they could reach the appropriate level of power without having to be bounded by the system's limit.
"Thanks for letting me know," said Clyde.
Maethion nodded then stood up. "Alright. Tell me when you're ready to go on the expedition."
Clyde answered with a curt nod.
"Keep in mind," Maethion turned before stepping out. "You can't tell anyone about everything I told you."
"I know."
"Then, I'll take my leave now."
Maethion stepped outside and left Clyde's room. After his departure, Clye slumped on his bed.
'I already suspected that my system is different from the others with that Private Attribute:Easy-Mode existence. But I don't know the details about that yet so I can't be relaxed. It's possible, that my Private Attribute will actually be something worse than just a limit.'
["Don't worry, Clyde." ]
~~~
