Chapter 1: The Triple-Synthesis Soul
"Aaaagh... what is going on? My head hurts so much."
Jason woke to a throbbing headache and a body that felt like it had been crushed. He tried to sit up, but he couldn't even budge. His limbs felt heavy, unresponsive, and strangely short.
What's going on? Why can't I move? My body isn't obeying my commands!
He strained to look around. This wasn't his room. It looked like a high-end suite, but with a medieval twist. The ceiling was covered in intricate murals of knights and dragons, and the walls were adorned with gilded paintings.
"Wait, that's not what I should worry about," he tried to say, but it came out as a soft, high-pitched gurgle. "Why am I stuck like this?"
Suddenly, the heavy thud of a door echoed, followed by the rhythmic tap-tap-tap of approaching footsteps.
Is someone coming? Maybe a nurse? Jason watched the door expectantly, but the person who entered wore a crisp, black-and-white outfit—a classic maid's uniform. Before he could process the sight, she reached down and scooped him up.
Hey, lady! We just met! No need to jump to the final phase! Hey, hey—whoa!
As she moved him, he caught a glimpse of his own arm. It was a tiny, pudgy, pink limb. A baby's arm. As she began to feed him, the fog in his brain cleared.
He wasn't paralyzed. He was a newborn.
A few minutes later, the maid placed him back into the crib and left.
So, I'm a baby. Does that mean I'm dead? Or am I the baby? Is the baby me? The existential dread was heavy, but the biology of an infant was heavier. Jason fell into a deep sleep.
Hours later, he woke again. A beautiful woman was leaning over him, her eyes tired but radiating warmth. Beside her stood a tall, muscular man in noble silks and two other young children.
Ping!
A sharp, digital chime rang in Jason's ears. Suddenly, a translucent, glowing blue cube appeared, floating in his field of vision. This wasn't just a menu; the Cube was the interface itself.
[System: Grand Synthesis Cube]
[User: Jason]
[Stats]
STR: 1 | AGI: 1 | INT: 15
MP: 5/5
[Skills]
Passive: [Language Comprehension (Lv.1)]
[Synthesis Logic]
Insert 3 identical items to generate 1 Higher-Tier Item.
The Cube is my system? Jason's mind raced. And I see my stats right on it. If I find three of the same thing, I can upgrade them?
His sister reached out and touched his hand. As she did, a notification flickered on the Cube's surface.
[Detected Item: Low-Grade Mana Fragment (x1)]
[Requirement for Synthesis: 3/3]
[Current Count: 1/3]
I see... if I can get two more of those from her or someone else, I can make something better.
His father laughed, seeing Jason staring intensely at the air. "Look at him! He's already got the eyes of a scholar. Welcome to the family, Jason."
As he was passed between his new relatives, Jason ignored the cooing and the hugging. He was staring at the Blue Cube, calculating how quickly he could get his hands on three matching items to test his new power