George sat in his gaming chair, his eyes glued to the screen, fingers dancing over the keyboard with the practiced ease of countless hours spent in the digital world. The outside world seemed distant and irrelevant, a mere backdrop to his immersive virtual adventures. His room was a shrine to gaming, with posters of his favorite characters plastered on the walls and shelves filled with action figures and game collectibles.
But today, something was different. The usual hum of his computer and the comforting glow of the monitors were overshadowed by a flood of notifications. George frowned, annoyed at the interruption. He glanced at his phone, expecting the usual barrage of messages from friends or social media updates. Instead, he saw a series of urgent alerts.
"System Integration imminent," one read. "Prepare for System Integration," another one warned.
George's heart began to race, a sense of unease creeping in. What was this System Integration? He checked his online forums, hoping for some clarity, but found only confusion and speculation. The gaming community was abuzz with the same questions he had. Before he could delve deeper, a sudden dizziness washed over him. The room around him seemed to blur and distort, and he felt a strange sensation, as if he were being pulled into another realm.
When the world snapped back into focus, George found himself lying on a grassy field under an impossibly clear sky. He sat up, disoriented, and looked around. This wasn't his gaming room. Panic surged through him. Where was he? How had he ended up here?
A soft chime echoed in his ears, followed by a calm, authoritative voice that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
"Welcome to the System Integration Tutorial. You have been selected to participate in a year-long preparatory phase designed to acclimate you to your new reality. Please remain calm as your abilities are assessed and initial challenges are assigned."
George's mind reeled. This was real. The System Integration was real, and he was now part of it. He stood up, his legs shaky, and looked around for any signs of familiarity. The landscape was beautiful but foreign, a blend of serene natural beauty and something otherworldly.
"Tutorial Overview:
1. You will face a series of challenges, each increasing in difficulty.
2. Successful completion of challenges will unlock new abilities and rewards.
3. You have limited attempts for each challenge. Failure to complete a challenge within the allotted attempts may have serious consequences.
4. Special provisions are in place for different age groups. You will be competing against individuals within your age range (19-24).
5. Maintain composure and use your strengths wisely. Your journey begins now."
George felt a lump in his throat. Challenges? Consequences? He wasn't ready for this. He was a gamer, not a fighter. He just wanted to go back to his room, to the safety and predictability of his games. His pulse quickened, panic setting in.
The voice continued, calm and unwavering.
"Earth and its inhabitants have one year to prepare for the existential war against the Outer Beings who spread corruption throughout the multiverse. The stronger you become during the tutorial, the greater your chances of survival and thriving."
George's anxiety spiked. War? Outer Beings? This was too much. He needed to think, to figure out what to do. An ethereal screen materialized before him, displaying a table with his first task:
| TASK | Navigate to the nearby village and find the elder who will provide further instructions. |
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Panicking wouldn't help. He had to follow the instructions, at least for now. He set off towards the village, his steps hesitant and his mind racing with worry.
The village came into view, a quaint place that looked like something out of a fantasy RPG. George would have appreciated the irony if he wasn't so terrified. He crossed the threshold into the village, the voice returning, clearer this time:
"Welcome to the Tutorial Village. Here, you will find the resources and guidance necessary to begin your journey. Please proceed to the Elder's Hall for further instructions."
The village was quiet, and George noticed there were no other participants in sight. He was alone, a solitary figure in this strange new world. The isolation made everything feel even more surreal. He reached the Elder's Hall, a modest building at the center of the village, and hesitated at the entrance. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The hall was spacious and lit by floating orbs of light. At the far end, an elderly man sat, his eyes sharp and observant. George felt a twinge of fear. This elder seemed to know more about him than he was comfortable with.
"Welcome, George," the elder greeted, his voice warm yet commanding. "You are here to begin your journey. The System has chosen you, and now it is time to learn what that means."
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George stepped forward, his heart pounding. "What do I need to do?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
The elder gestured to a scroll on the table. "This contains your initial tasks and the first set of challenges you must face. Each task is designed to test different aspects of your abilities and prepare you for the trials ahead. Remember, success requires not just strength, but wisdom and perseverance."
George's mind raced. He didn't want to fight or face challenges. He just wanted to go back home. "Do I have to fight?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The elder's eyes seemed to soften. "You have a choice, George. After your initial tasks, you can choose to follow the path of a Combattant or a Support. The path of a Support focuses on skills such as healing, crafting, and alchemy. You will still face challenges, but they will be different from those of a Combattant."
Relief washed over George. He didn't have to fight. He could choose a path that suited him better. "I want to be a Support," he said quickly.
The elder nodded. "Very well. Complete your initial tasks, and then you can choose your path officially."
George unrolled the scroll, reading the first task:
| TASK | Complete your first training exercise at the village dojo to hone your physical skills. |
His heart sank. Even as a Support, he still had to complete these initial tasks. He left the hall and made his way to the dojo, his steps heavy with dread. The thought of training filled him with anxiety. He was a gamer, not an athlete.
At the dojo, a holographic figure appeared before him, mimicking the stance of a seasoned martial artist. George took a deep breath and tried to follow the instructions. The hologram attacked with a series of swift movements, and George struggled to keep up, his reflexes dulled by years of sedentary gaming. Each strike from the hologram felt overwhelming, and he could barely defend himself.
After a grueling ten minutes, the hologram paused, and George collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. A system prompt appeared:
"Training exercise complete. Proceed to the next task."
He felt a flicker of relief. At least that part was over. The next task took him to the village mage, where he would learn about mana manipulation. Despite his exhaustion, George couldn't help but feel a tiny spark of curiosity. Magic had always fascinated him in games; perhaps this part wouldn't be so bad.
The mage's abode was filled with shelves of ancient tomes and jars of strange substances. The elderly woman who greeted him had a knowing look in her eyes. She handed him a crystal and instructed him to focus on the energy within it. George closed his eyes, trying to sense the mana. To his surprise, he felt a faint warmth, a gentle vibration. He focused on it, and the crystal seemed to respond.
"Congratulations! You have unlocked your mana and gained your first mana skill: Mana Channeling Level 1."
Skill
Mana Channeling Level 1
Description
Grants the ability to sense and channel mana within yourself. Each level increases control effectiveness by 1%.
The sensation was exhilarating, a small victory in his otherwise overwhelming situation. The mage's instructions were clear and precise, and George found himself enjoying the process of learning something new. For a moment, he forgot his fear and panic, absorbed in the wonder of magic.
After completing the task, he received another system prompt:
"Congratulations! You have completed your initial tasks. You may now choose your primary path."
| TASK | Proceed to the Elder's Hall to make your choice. |
George returned to the Elder's Hall, his mind made up. He didn't want to fight. He wanted to find a way to contribute without facing the horrors of combat.
"I choose the path of Support," he said firmly.
The elder smiled. "A wise choice, George. Your challenges will focus on crafting, healing, and other supportive skills. Remember, every role is vital in the struggle against the Outer Beings."
As he left the hall, George felt a sense of relief. The path ahead would still be challenging, but it was one he felt better suited for. He was ready to learn and grow, even if it meant stepping far outside his comfort zone. The System Integration had thrown him into a world of uncertainty, but he was determined to find his place within it.
Name
George Smith
Level
1
Race
Human
Alignment
Human (Earth)
Titles
-
Mana
100/100
Strength
7
Dexterity
8
Endurance
8
Vitality
9
Intelligence
10
Wisdom
10
Charm
9
Free Stats
0
Skills
Mana Channeling Level 1