Still seated in his office, Zaboru stared out the window with a pensive expression. It had been days since the launch of the ZGB, and while the buzz outside the ZAGE HQ was electric, his mind was occupied with something else—something deeper. Around 10 AM on Friday, September 19th, just hours after the ZGB hit the shelves, he had felt it: the strange, unmistakable sensation that another reincarnated perk had awakened within him.
Unlike his previous two powers Deep Memory Dive, which gave him access to knowledge from his previous life, and Enlightenment, which drastically improved his body functions, this new ability didn't seem to enhance him directly. Instead, it radiated outward. It affected others around him. Specifically, it influenced the people he worked with. After several days of careful observation and internal reflection, he had come to understand its structure.
"Aura of Influence," he whispered aloud, spinning slowly in his office chair.
This power, unlike his others, had branches—three distinct sub-abilities that he somehow instinctively understood. They weren't aggressive. They didn't alter reality in a flashy way. But they subtly, and powerfully, changed the dynamics around him.
Aura of Influence - The Great Teacher
This branch activated when Zaboru was mentoring someone or teaching. Anyone who learned from him would absorb knowledge faster and more clearly. His explanations would be naturally engaging, and his teaching style would adapt perfectly to the learning style of the listener. Zaboru had always been a natural teacher, even before gaining this power. But now, with The Great Teacher aura, his influence has reached a new level. He had tested it out just yesterday, teaching Ayumi some advanced programming techniques and giving his little sister Sanika a crash course in game logic. Both had absorbed the information effortlessly.
He smirked. "Well, that explains why Ayumi said my programming tutorials sound like bedtime stories—and Sanika said learning from me is really fun." Zaboru chuckled.
He thought ahead to his upcoming seminars for third-party developers interested in creating ZGB games. With this power, the sessions would be far more impactful.
Aura of Influence - Z Persona Amplifier
This one was odd, yet eerily fitting. Whenever Zaboru wore his signature Z-Helmet, this aura subtly altered how others perceived him. He became more charismatic, authoritative, and compelling. The mask already had symbolic weights mysterious leader forging a new path in gaming but now, it was like wearing a spotlight. People couldn't help but take him more seriously.
"I guess I was right to keep the helmet on," he chuckled. "Now it's not just cool. It's effective." Zaboru wondered what kind of reaction he'd receive if he did another televised interview while wearing his Helmet after gaining this power. Would the audience be intrigued by the mystery? Would they respect the boundary, or demand to see the man behind the helmet? The question lingered in his mind, not with anxiety, but with curiosity.
Aura of Influence - On My Lead
This was perhaps the most powerful and far-reaching of the three. When Zaboru entered a state of deep focus and began working, anyone within close proximity—especially his employees—would experience elevated energy and motivation. Their productivity would rise. Their moods would improve. Their creative blocks would dissolve.
He had noticed the signs today: developers were working slightly harder, but with smiles on their faces. The offices were more productive. Spontaneous collaboration had increased. He hadn't said anything, but his presence alone seemed to light a fire under the whole office.
"This one could be dangerous if I abused it," he muttered. "But thankfully, it's not mind control. It doesn't force anyone. It just... uplifts."
The realization brought a mix of pride and responsibility. Powers like these could easily turn manipulative in the wrong hands. But Zaboru didn't want worshippers. He wanted people to thrive alongside him.
He scribbled notes in his leather-bound journal, detailing each aura and its effects. He didn't want to forget any of it. As the tip of his pen danced across the paper, he reflected on the nature of his reincarnation.
"So far, each ability came after something major," he thought. "The first after I arrived. The second after my leadership resolve. Now, this one after ZGB's launch... Are these tied to milestones in my journey?"
He leaned back and closed his eyes.
"What will come next? And will I be ready for it?"
A knock pulled him out of his thoughts. Ayumi stepped in, balancing a small tray with tea and a knowing smile.
"You haven't moved in hours, Zabo-chan," she said softly, placing the tray on his desk. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Just thinking," he replied with a grateful nod. "Thanks."
Ayumi, who was on break from Akaishidan, took a seat nearby with her notebook. She had been sketching out ideas for her next game. As she started jotting, Zaboru felt a subtle shift—the hum of his aura activating. It washed through the room like an invisible current. Outside his office, the sound of typing quickened. Laughter and discussion sparked among his employees. Even Ayumi's pen moved faster, her ideas flowing with surprising clarity.
He glanced at her with a quiet smile, then looked out across the floor.
"Yep," he said, lifting his cup to his lips. "Definitely activated."
Zaboru turned back to his monitor, pulling up the internal schedule for ZAGE's game development pipeline. September was packed. He also needs to brainstorm for October games. And now, with ZGB's roaring success, the demand for new content was only growing.
But he was ready.
Empowered by a trio of subtle, powerful auras, Zaboru Renkonan wasn't just a brilliant developer or a visionary leader anymore.
He was a catalyst.
To be continued...
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