Multiversal Manifestation System

Wang Zi made his way to the colosseum, the bright lights and towering structure still bustling even though the competition had ended.

His footsteps were measured, his thoughts calm.

"Alexander's got a good mind." he mused.

"He wants me to meet in a place where I feel comfortable."

As he approached the main entrance, a distinguished older man in a crisp black butler uniform was already waiting for him. The man had sharp, hawkish features and an air of quiet authority that immediately caught Wang Zi's attention.

"Good evening, Mr. Wang Zi," the butler greeted him, his voice smooth and polite.

"Master Alexander has been expecting you. Please, allow me to escort you."

Wang Zi raised an eyebrow. He'd seen this butler before, always appearing in the background of Alexander's streams. Still, it was surprising to see him in person.

"He even sent his butler? Alexander must be taking this meeting very seriously." He thought.

With a slight nod, Wang Zi followed the man into the colosseum. The halls were eerily quiet compared to the chaos of the competition, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly against the walls.

The butler led Wang Zi to a private room within the colosseum, its sleek design filled with futuristic displays and comfortable seating. As the doors slid open, Wang Zi immediately spotted Alexander, dressed impeccably in a tailored blue suit, standing near a table.

Beside him was another man, older, with a rugged appearance that contrasted starkly with Alexander's polished demeanor.

"Wang Zi! I'm glad you could make it. Please, come in." Alexander stepped forward with a warm smile. 

Wang Zi entered the room but kept his distance, his sharp eyes darting between Alexander and Ray.

Alexander seemed to catch Wang Zi's hesitation.

"Allow me to introduce my uncle, Ray Nedeir. He's a trusted advisor and a high-ranking officer in the Federation's military." Alexander gestured to Ray, who gave a curt nod in greeting.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Wang Zi. Alexander has told me quite a bit about you, though I must admit I'm intrigued to finally meet you in person." Ray's gaze was sharp, but not hostile. 

Wang Zi folded his arms, his posture relaxed but his mind cautious.

"And why's that? I'm just a humble artist, after all."

"You're a participant who managed to survive, and excel, in a competition that took a turn no one expected. That alone makes you worth paying attention to. Alexander tells me you have... untapped potential." Ray allowed a faint smile. 

Wang Zi's eyes flicked to Alexander, who was watching the exchange closely. He shrugged.

"Potential huh. I'll hear you out."

Alexander chuckled, gesturing to one of the chairs.

"Relax, Wang Zi. This isn't an interrogation. We're here to talk, nothing more."

Wang Zi hesitated for a moment before taking a seat. The butler reappeared, offering refreshments, but Wang Zi waved them off.

As Alexander began recounting the events of the competition, trying to lead the conversation toward the unusual occurrences within the Dome, Wang Zi's mind wandered.

"So this is Ray Nedeir… He's sharp, observant, and clearly not just here for decoration. Alexander must've brought him to lend credibility to whatever they're about to pitch.

But what's their angle? Do they want information on the Dome? My abilities? Or is this just a ploy to figure out my secrets?"

Wang Zi leaned back in his chair, his calm demeanor masking the amusement bubbling beneath the surface. Alexander's enthusiasm was palpable, his sharp eyes practically gleaming with curiosity as he leaned forward.

"Wang Zi," Alexander began, his voice a mix of excitement and caution,

"I couldn't help but notice the way you fought during the competition. That breathing style... it's Flame Breathing, isn't it? From Demon Slayer?"

Wang Zi's brow lifted slightly, but he said nothing, letting Alexander continue.

"You summoned the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro. And the way you wielded that sword... it wasn't just for show, was it?" Alexander's voice dipped lower, almost conspiratorial.

"You're connected to Demon Slayer, aren't you? Not just as a fan, but as... something more?"

Wang Zi offered a faint smile but didn't respond directly.

"Let's see where this goes," he thought.

Ray, who had been silent until now, decided to interject. His deep, commanding voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Wang Zi, whatever your connection to this 'Flame Breathing' is, it's extraordinary. Breathing methods like that, ones that don't just help you cultivate but also replenish your mana while fighting, are almost unheard of. And a fire-based method as effective as what you demonstrated is a game-changer for fire mana users, regardless of their class. Where did you learn it?"

Wang Zi's smile widened slightly, his mind racing.

He needed a plausible story, something that would explain everything while keeping the truth hidden.

"Ah, the Flame Breathing," Wang Zi said casually, as though it were nothing special. "Let's just say I've been... fortunate. While exploring the Virtual World, I was approached by a man with strange eyes. He handed me a card and said I had untapped potential."

Wang Zi paused, feigning thoughtfulness.

"He led me to a store he called the 'MMS Store.' Said it was a place where I could find rare techniques and abilities if I was willing to pay the price."

Alexander's eyes widened, and Ray's posture stiffened.

"A man with strange eyes?" Ray asked, his tone sharp. "What kind of eyes?"

Wang Zi tapped his chin, pretending to recall the details.

"They looked like concentric rings. Purple. Very eerie, but... commanding."

Ray's brows furrowed deeply.

"He then gave me a card, saying I'd need it to get what I wanted." Wang Zi continued.

"And this card... do you still have it?" Alexander, meanwhile, leaned forward eagerly. 

Wang Zi reached into his pocket and retrieved a sleek, transparent card. The symbol of the Uchiha clan was etched into one side, glowing faintly. On the other side was Wang Zi's picture and the serial number: 001.

"This is it," Wang Zi said, holding it up for them to see.

"The card lets you access the hidden section of the MMS Store. Without it, you can't even see the door to that part of the shop."

Ray's expression darkened further.

"The Virtual Brain on this planet is disconnected from the mainframe for safety and harvest operations, yet this... MMS can override those safeguards? This means whoever is behind it wields immense authority or power. If they can manipulate the Virtual Brain like this, they're far beyond any conventional means of control."

"Is this store a front for something larger? A rogue entity? A galactic faction? And why approach Wang Zi? Does he have something they need, or was it simply chance?" Ray's mind raced.

"Can the card be transferred?" Ray asked sharply, his eyes narrowing.

"Could you arrange a meeting with this... individual? Or could the card be purchased from you?"

Alexander looked equally hopeful, but Wang Zi shook his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Unfortunately, no," Wang Zi replied smoothly.

"The card is bound to its owner. It can't be transferred or sold. As for arranging a meeting... I wouldn't even know where to start. The man approached me; I didn't seek him out."

Alexander's shoulders slumped slightly, his excitement giving way to disappointment.

"So there's no way for us to access this hidden section of the store?"

Wang Zi leaned back, crossing his arms.

"Not unless you're chosen. But, if it helps, I can tell you this: the store isn't about luck. The man said it's about potential. If you have what it takes, you'll be found."

"Potential? What could this MMS want from individuals like Wang Zi? And why grant access to something as powerful as Flame Breathing so freely?" Ray's gaze remained locked on the card, his thoughts churning.

Alexander finally broke the silence, his voice tinged with frustration.

"Still... if you ever hear from this man again, could you let us know? I'm willing to pay whatever it takes for those breathing methods, or any techniques like them."

As Alexander finished his sentence, Wang Zi's posture shifted. He sat straighter, his sharp eyes locking onto Alexander's.

Both Alexander and Ray froze under the sudden intensity, unsure of what had prompted such a reaction.

For a moment, Wang Zi just stared at Alexander. Then, leaning slightly forward, he spoke, his tone measured and deliberate.

"What type of mana are you best at?"

Alexander blinked, caught off guard by the question.

"Mana?" he repeated, unsure where this was going. "Uh... lightning mana."

Stretching his hand out, Alexander conjured sparks between his fingers.

The crackling energy twisted and danced before rapidly forming a bird that flapped its wings once before dispersing. He followed it up by shaping the lightning into a snake, then a simple cube, his control evident as the forms transitioned flawlessly.

Wang Zi tilted his head, watching the display with keen interest.

"Not bad," he muttered, the faintest hint of approval slipping into his tone.

"I've trained for years to master my mana control. My family-"

"Your family," Wang Zi interrupted, cutting him off. "How far does their influence go?"

Alexander exchanged a brief glance with Ray, who gave him a subtle nod. Sitting a little straighter, Alexander replied,

"The Nedeir family is one of the most influential in the Federation. We have positions in the military, intelligence, and resource sectors. My being on this planet isn't random, I used those connections to oversee its resource harvest. It was supposed to be a quiet assignment..."

"Alright, you pass!" Wang Zi interrupted again, before stretching out his hand.

Alexander and Ray froze as Wang Zi did this, a faint shimmer forming at his fingertip.

Slowly, a card materialized, spinning lazily in the air. Its transparent surface caught the light, reflecting faint hues of red and white from the Uchiha clan symbol emblazoned on one side.

The other side held a blank photo space, a serial number, 10, etched below it, and the faint outline of where a name would appear.

Wang Zi leaned back in his chair, twirling the newly manifested card between his fingers as Alexander and Ray watched intently.

The transparent surface glinted faintly in the room's light, and the Uchiha clan symbol etched on it seemed to glow softly, as though it pulsed with its own life force. Wang Zi let the moment hang, allowing the tension to build, before finally speaking.

"The man who approached me," Wang Zi began, his voice steady and deliberate, "said something very interesting about this card, and the MMS Store in general. He called it a system of contribution and reward." He spun the card between his fingers again, holding it upright for them to see.

"These cards," Wang Zi continued, "are rare. They're not just given out randomly. They're meant for those who the store deems capable of contributing to its growth. The store operates on a principle: the more you contribute, the greater the rewards you can earn. But it's not just about spending points or buying items, it's about providing value, helping the store expand its influence."

Ray's sharp gaze didn't leave the card. His mind churned with questions, but he stayed silent, letting Wang Zi elaborate.

"Here's the twist," Wang Zi said, his smirk deepening.

"If you're given one of these cards, like this one, you gain access to the exclusive section of the MMS Store."

"One who contributes greatly gets to invite others, like an exclusive membership club." 

"If the person you give it to contributes to the store, you receive bonuses. Think of it like an investment. You're betting on someone's potential, and if they perform well, you're rewarded."

Ray leaned forward slightly, his military instincts kicking in.

"And what happens if someone misuses the card? Or worse, betrays the store?"

Wang Zi's smirk faded slightly, replaced with a more serious expression.

"The man who approached me made it very clear," he said, his voice lowering.

"At any point, if the person who holds the card acts against the store's best interests, intentionally or not, the card will vanish. Not just that, but anything they bought or gained from the store will be taken away."

Ray's frown deepened, the implications of such a system racing through his mind.

Alexander, however, was fixated on the card itself.

"So," he began hesitantly, "if I were to... earn this card, I could meet the man behind the MMS Store?"

"That's the idea," he said. "The card acts as a key, a way to access the exclusive section of the store and communicate directly with its owner. But," he added, holding up a finger, "don't think it's just a free pass. The man said you'll have to prove your worth. If you're deemed unfit, the card and everything tied to it will be stripped away."

Alexander's jaw tightened, the weight of the opportunity dawning on him.

"And what about more details? How will I learn about the store and its rules?"

"If you meet the man," he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "you'll get all the details directly from him. That's part of the deal. This card," he held it up again, the Uchiha symbol gleaming faintly, "is just the beginning."

Ray leaned back in his chair, folding his arms as he studied Wang Zi carefully.

 "And... would you be willing to entrust that card to me?" Alexander's voice was quiet but laced with determination.

Wang Zi stopped spinning the transparent card between his fingers, letting it hover for a moment before extending it toward Alexander.

The glint of the Uchiha symbol caught Alexander's eye as he hesitated for a moment before taking it. His grip was firm but cautious, as though the card itself carried an unimaginable weight.

"Listen carefully," Wang Zi began, his tone calm but carrying a certain gravity. "Every single breathing method you've seen in Demon Slayer, every style, every technique, it's real. It can be practiced in reality.

But here's the catch: these methods aren't something you can teach. Once you've learned them, they're locked to you. It's like the knowledge is burned into your body and soul, but no matter how hard you try, you won't be able to pass it on to anyone else."

Alexander stared at Wang Zi, his mind racing as he processed this information. Ray, standing silently behind him, had narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable.

"Why would the store make it like that?" Alexander asked, his curiosity piqued.

Wang Zi shrugged, leaning back slightly.

"I can only guess. The man who gave me my card didn't explain everything, but I'd wager it's a safeguard, a way to ensure that the things the store offers don't fall into the wrong hands or get exploited. The store sells power, sure, but it's not about handing out cheat codes to just anyone. There's a purpose behind it all, even if we don't fully understand it yet."

"And the store? What does it want in return for giving access to such power?" Ray spoke up, his voice even but tinged with concern. 

"That's the interesting part. The man said it only wants one thing: for the works it offers to be seen by as many people as possible.

That's it. The more eyes, the better. Beyond that, if the store has any other requests for its members, it communicates through the cards." Wang Zi's lips curled into a faint smile. 

Ray and Alexander exchanged a glance, each pondering the implications of what Wang Zi had just said. Alexander tightened his grip on the card, feeling its smooth surface beneath his fingers.

"But that's just the beginning," Wang Zi continued, his voice carrying a note of excitement. "The man told me that the breathing methods are only the tip of the iceberg. What the future of the store holds? It's much, much more than what we've seen so far."

Alexander blinked, stunned.

"More than this? How could there be more?"

Wang Zi didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stood up, brushing off imaginary dust from his clothes before giving Alexander a final look.

"If you want to know more, you know where you need to go."

He turned on his heel, leaving the room without another word. His steps were steady, his figure imposing even as he disappeared beyond the door.

Alexander sat frozen, staring at the card in his hand, its transparent surface glinting faintly in the artificial light. Ray, on the other hand, was already deep in thought, his mind running scenarios and calculations.

He suddenly sighed, and patted Alexander in the shoulder.

"You know where you need to go next. Make sure you don't screw this up. I'll go with you, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get in. Let's go, no point in waiting."

Alexander gained some confidence from his uncle's words, "Yes uncle, let's see this so-called secret store then."

Both of them stood up, their destination - the MMS store.