Zarina hovered just inches away, her grin sharp enough to cut glass. "Moment of truth, Master. Ready to stop being ordinary?"
Harry's fingers tightened around the vial. It didn't weigh much, but it carried the weight of everything that had been dumped on him—the soulscape, the memories, the system, Zarina herself. It felt like a line he couldn't uncross.
"No," he admitted quietly. His lips twisted into a grim half-smile. "But when has that ever stopped me?"
The cork popped free, and before he could second-guess himself, he drank.
The liquid was warm at first, deceptively gentle, like sunlight on bare skin. Then it slammed into him.
Electricity tore through his spine, ripping every nerve raw. His vision flared white, his lungs seized, his body convulsed with so much energy he thought his bones might splinter. He bent forward with a strangled gasp, refusing to drop to his knees. Golden light burst across his skin, streaked with violent blue, pulsing in time with his heartbeat like veins of fire.
Then it broke.
The light receded. The fire dulled into warmth, spreading through his chest, his muscles, his very marrow. His legs trembled, his hands shook, but he was still standing. And in the silence after the storm, he felt… different— Stronger, sharper and hungrier?
Harry stared at his hands. Nothing had changed, but the air around him felt thinner, easier to cut through. His muscles hummed, like a bowstring drawn taut. Even the beat of his heart sounded louder, steadier.
Then his stomach growled. Loud and violent.
Harry blinked, startled. "What the hell—?"
He had eaten. A full meal. Yet the hunger hit him like a punch, clawing at his insides, demanding more, demanding fuel. It wasn't just appetite. It was need.
Zarina floated in front of him, smug as ever. Her eyes glowed, wings fluttering in lazy delight. "Ohhh, look at you. Shiny new power, and already your body's begging for snacks." She tilted her head, smirk curling wickedly. "Congratulations, Master—you're evolving into a bottomless pit."
Harry glared at her, clutching his stomach. "Not funny."
"It's hilarious," Zarina chirped, twirling her scythe like a baton. "Don't worry. Zarina will keep you fed. Probably."
Harry muttered something unrepeatable and dragged open the System Interface, trying to focus through the ache gnawing at his belly.
A cascade of blue windows blinked into view.
---
> [DING! SYSTEM NOTICE: X-GENE AWAKENING POTION DETECTED IN HOST'S SYSTEM.]
> [DING! INITIATING X-GENE SEQUENCE...]
> [DING! PRIMARY MUTATION: UNLOCKED.]
> [DING! ANALYZING GENE EXPRESSION...]
> [DING! ANALYSIS COMPLETE.]
---
> [X-GENE AWAKENED]
X-GENE: ADAPTIVE DEVOURER
DESIGNATION: [DEVOUR] & [ADAPT]
RANK: OMEGA
— This X-Gene allows host to consume and convert any physical material (organic or inorganic) into usable energy.
— Energy can be used for sustenance, healing, recovery, reserves, or for empowering physical and magical attributes.
— Host is capable of storing massive quantities of energy internally with no upper limit.
— Passive Trait: Material Assimilation – prolonged consumption of specific materials allows host to develop traits or resistances associated with said material (e.g., dragon meat may grant increased strength, durability, or elemental resistance over time).
— Passive Trait: Environmental Adaptation – host's physiology will begin adapting to extreme conditions using stored energy. The longer host remains in a harsh environment (desert, arctic, underwater, toxic zone, etc.), the more efficient and permanent the adaptations become.
— WARNING: Ability scaling and trait development depend on quality, quantity, and complexity of consumed material.
— LIMIT: Host must consume physical material to generate energy.
→ Energy production is tied to metabolic digestion; abilities cannot be activated without available fuel.
→ Host's stomach functions as the primary energy processor — no food = no power.
→ Stored energy can be depleted with overuse.
→ Severe exhaustion may lead to energy crash, resulting in fatigue, temporary power loss, or unconsciousness.
Caution: Abusing devour-ability without rest or balance may cause internal instability.
— NOTE: Host must not attempt to devour high-tier magical materials recklessly. Risk of overload or mutation exists.
---
Harry read through the window slowly. Once and then twice.
Then he muttered, "So… I can eat literally anything… and become stronger?"
He didn't know whether to laugh, panic, or start chewing on the nearest rock out of morbid curiosity.
A loud rumble from his gut decided for him.
"Okay, wow. This is going to be a problem."
Zarina zipped beside him, peering at the screen. Her mouth opened in a slow, impressed "ooh."
"Well," she said brightly, "I was expecting something flashy—lasers, wings, time warping, maybe fireballs from your nostrils. Not… gluttonous demigod. But sure. That works."
"I'm not going to just eat random stuff," Harry grumbled.
She arched an eyebrow. "You're absolutely going to eat random stuff."
He gave her a flat stare. "…Probably."
She clapped, delighted. "Excellent. But seriously, this ability is insanely powerful. With enough time and the right materials… you could become nearly unkillable."
Harry rubbed his face. "And here I thought I'd just get a cool laser beam or something."
"Pfft. Peasant-tier. You got the gourmet package."
He sighed again, shaking his head. His hand dropped to his stomach, still growling faintly. "I really am going to need snacks, aren't I?"
Zarina's grin turned downright predatory. "Snacks, raw materials, monster jerky, enchanted metals, maybe a magical beast or two… Honestly, Master, your grocery list just became everyone's worst nightmare."
" Also don't call me Master," Harry said quickly, giving her a sharp look. " Hermione hears that and I'm dead."
She blinked innocently. "Of course, Master."
He glared.
She smirked. "You walked into that one."
Harry exhaled and shook his head. Then paused. "Wait… I don't feel weird. No nausea, no headaches, no sudden desire to eat a table. Shouldn't there be side effects?"
Zarina gave a thoughtful hum and nodded. "Actually… you're lucky. Most mutations cause growing pains or temporary hunger drives. But yours integrated cleanly. Well the potion discription did say that the ability will come without any side-effects."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "So, no constant hunger?"
"Nope. You only need to eat to generate energy. That's it. You're not cursed with an endless appetite, thank the Void." She tilted her head, then added, "Though the urge to snack after using powers might kick in later. So stock up."
He gave her a tired look. "Great. I become the magical version of a bottomless pit."
She beamed. "But you'll be a very powerful pit."
Harry rolled his eyes, but a small, tired grin crept onto his face anyway.
He turned and glanced at the old clock ticking on the wall—5:30 A.M.
"Of course it is," he muttered. No way he was getting back to sleep after that.
With a sigh, he stretched his arms overhead. Muscles popped. Energy still buzzed faintly under his skin, like a low hum waiting to be spent.
Right. Food.
But first… a bath. He felt gross—like sweat, blood, and black goop still clung to him spiritually, even after the cleaning spell.
He turned to Zarina, who was lounging midair, twirling her scythe absentmindedly.
"I'm gonna clean up first, then hit the kitchens. You should return to the library for now."
Zarina gave a dramatic gasp, hand to her chest. "What? You're sending me away before breakfast? Master, I feel so unloved."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Zarina…"
She pouted, then spun once in the air. "Fine, fine. But I expect snacks later."
"Yeah, yeah," he muttered.
With a shimmer of emerald light, she vanished into a glowing wisp and slipped back into his soulscape, leaving a faint tinkle of magic in the air.
Harry stood, grabbed his wand, and made his way to the bathroom.
First a bath.
Then, time to see how many pastries and pies the Hogwarts kitchens could throw at a newly awakened mutant with a bottomless stomach.
-----
Steam curled lazily around the stone-tiled bathroom as hot water splashed against Harry's skin. The tension of the night slowly melted from his muscles. For the first time in days—maybe weeks—he felt something resembling normal.
His fingers brushed his temple out of habit, but the dull throb that usually lingered behind his scar was completely gone.
He leaned back under the spray, eyes half-lidded. Suddenly he remembered something and spoke,"…Zarina."
There was a beat of silence.
Then her voice echoed faintly in his head, mischievous and utterly unrepentant.
"Yes, Master~?"
Harry narrowed his eyes at the foggy ceiling. "Are you watching me bathe?"
Zarina gave an exaggerated, scandalized gasp. "Peeping? Me? How dare you insult Zarina's delicate spirit!"
"Answer the question."
A pause.
"…I am spiritually nearby for support and emergency response."
Harry groaned. "That's a fancy way of saying yes."
"I'm not watching, watching," she defended. "It's more like… ambient awareness! Besides, you're the one who summoned a bound spirit. I live in your soul. You think I can just turn off your metaphysical signal every time you're in the loo?"
Harry rubbed his face. "I'd like to submit a formal request for selective spiritual privacy."
"Request denied," she chirped.
"…Figures."
He sighed again and ducked his head under the water. "At least promise me you won't make any comments."
Zarina's voice turned angelic. "Zarina would never. Unless something's funny. Or weirdly shaped. Or worth mocking."
"Zarina—"
"Enjoy your bath, Master~!"
Harry considered drowning himself for a second.
Instead, he washed faster.
----