While Ben was still in a daze, the system's mechanical voice continued its broadcast.
[You have transmigrated to the Primordial World, living as a mortal, without any support. You rely on your storytelling talent to eke out a living in Chaoge City]
[Fortunately, you consumed a unique fruit, which cleansed your turbid energy, and you finally encountered a celestial opportunity, joining the ranks of the Chan Sect]
[Now, the Investiture of the Gods tribulation is about to arrive, and no one in the Three Realms and Six Paths, or the Chan and Jie Sects, can escape]
[As a newly initiated disciple of the Chan Sect, you possess mediocre talent. Your only goal is to survive this tribulation]
[This system is the Primordial Connections System. Gaining connections will reward you, and this will be your greatest reliance]
[Main Quest: Forge extensive connections, participate in the Investiture of the Gods war, and survive]
Silence.
That was Ben's entire mood at the moment.
After a long pause, he sighed and covered his forehead.
"This system is probably malfunctioning."
"I already said, this is the magical world—it's Harry Potter! Where did this Primordial World nonsense come from? What Investiture of the Gods? Chan and Jie Sects? Where did all this come from?"
"And that 'unique fruit'? That was clearly a magical surge!"
"And this is London, not Chaoge!"
"System, get a grip!"
No matter what Ben said, the system refused to react. The prompt to participate in the Investiture of the Gods war and survive remained stubbornly displayed whenever he focused on the floating screen before him.
Besides the quest prompt, the screen also showed:
[Current Connections: None]
[Current Connection Level: 0]
[Rewards Obtained: None]
In the center, a line of ominous red text blinked:
[The Primordial World is fraught with dangers. The tribulation is about to begin, and killings are endless. Please, host, quickly forge connections with great figures of the Primordial World to obtain rewards and enhance your strength!]
Ben's expression was a mix of helplessness and disbelief.
This is the magical world! Hogwarts! Where on earth was he supposed to find primordial figures to connect with?
"Forget it, I'll just pretend the system doesn't exist."
Just as Ben was about to mentally discard the bizarre interface, a knock came at the door of his study.
"Lord Ben," came the familiar voice of the butler, Flander, tinged with concern. "You've been acting oddly. You've sighed more times today than in the last month combined."
"Is there a problem?"
Hearing the old butler's voice warmed Ben's heart.
Flander could be stubborn and overly proper at times, but he was loyal, dependable, and had been with Ben through thick and thin. He was family, in a way.
"It's nothing. Just some creative blocks."
"Come in, Flander."
The door opened and Flander entered, pushing a delicate dining cart. On it sat a plate of steaming sausages, warm milk, and soft bread.
"Lord Ben, you haven't eaten much today. Please have something before you rest."
Ben smiled and was about to thank Flander when his body froze. A new prompt had appeared on the translucent screen before him.
[You are in the Shang Dynasty's capital, Chaoge, and you encounter the Royal Uncle Bigan]
[Bigan is upright and unyielding, but for some reason, he favors you and treats you like a junior, hosting a banquet in your honor]
[Please, host, seize the opportunity to connect with Bigan]
Ben looked at Flander, utterly confused.
What?
Bigan?
Aside from being older and upright, in what world was his butler Flander anything like the legendary Royal Uncle Bigan?
"System, can't you recognize people properly?"
But then, a fresh line of text appeared, and Ben's sarcastic thoughts immediately halted.
[Achieving a casual acquaintance with Bigan will grant you: One-tenth of the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart talent]
[Achieving a close friendship with Bigan will grant you: One-half of the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart talent]
[Achieving a life-and-death bond with Bigan will grant you: The complete Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart talent]
[Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart: Intelligent and perceptive, understanding all things and grasping their essence!]
Ben's eyes widened in shock.
Holy crap?
The system was serious!
The Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart—to call it exquisite was no understatement. It was an unrivaled gift of intelligence.
Most crucially, it could allow a person to understand and grasp the essence of all things.
Ben recalled how, in Investiture of the Gods, Bigan used this heart to see through the disguised Nine-Tailed Fox. If a mere mortal could possess such insight, that alone demonstrated its might.
Though Ben's magical aptitude was mediocre, if he could acquire the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart, he might truly shine in fields like potions, herbology, and magical theory.
Understanding all things and grasping their essence... Wasn't that practically cheating in Hogwarts?
With a newfound determination, Ben looked at Flander.
"Butler Flander, you've been working for me for three years now, haven't you?"
"Since I started getting recognition as a writer, you've managed everything for me, and I truly appreciate it."
Flander looked puzzled by the sudden sentimentality.
Ben continued, "I'll be attending a special boarding school soon, and I won't be able to bring a butler. So, I'm afraid we'll be apart for a while."
Flander's face fell. "Lord Ben, are you dismissing me?"
Ben shook his head vigorously. "What? No! How could I?"
"Despite our age gap, I've always considered you not just a butler, but a true friend."
"In fact... I have no family, and in my heart, you are my family. I would never dismiss you."
He pulled out two keys and placed them in Flander's hand—the keys to his study and the safe that held his precious literary drafts.
"Please take care of these. Keep the study clean while I'm away. You love my books, right? There are drafts in the safe. Feel free to read them when you have free time."
"This house will be in your care while I'm gone."
Flander's hands trembled as he took the keys. His eyes reddened with emotion.
He knew what these keys meant.
Those drafts were worth fortunes. If he ever betrayed Ben's trust, he could easily become rich beyond imagination.
But Ben still handed them over—unhesitatingly. That level of trust meant the world to him.
Flander bowed, voice trembling. "Lord Ben, I swear—I'll guard your study with my life. No one will set foot in it."
"I will protect your drafts with my honor and soul."
Ben felt equally emotional.
Especially when the screen lit up again with a new message:
[You and the Royal Uncle Bigan discuss court corruption over wine. He weeps openly, moved by your sincerity, exclaiming that a scholar will die for his confidant. He pledges to protect you against any scheming villain.]
[Your relationship with the Royal Uncle Bigan has reached a life-and-death bond]
[You have obtained the complete Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart talent!]
Ben stared at the screen, stunned.
It was real. It actually worked!
The complete Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart was now his.
The talent to comprehend the essence of everything—it was no longer just a fantasy.
With this, even if his magical potential was limited, he could still carve out a future for himself at Hogwarts.
Now, it wasn't just about surviving the chaos the system had thrown him into.
It was about rising above it.