"We'll begin training tomorrow,", Brel announced. "Go rest or do your own thing. Start chatting with each other or something; I don't care. What's important is that you be in tiptop shape when I summon you for the training session. We will see each other at the sixth ring in the morning. We'll eat our morning meal together and head for training immediately after. Do not disappoint me, disciple, and runty.". He left the room along with Linda, leaving the two teens alone there.
"Hey Kerrio?", Queltsom prompted.
"Yes?", the other boy answered.
"Do you, by any chance, know how long they put me in that house? You know, the one where I woke up and was kidnapped and all that?", he asked.
"Nope. I've only been here for a bit over a year, and I certainly haven't heard about you. I think that lady kept you a secret or something,", he answered. "Why do you ask?"
"Because the last time I remember being with Dragnoria, I was almost 6 years old. But now that I've woken up again, I talk like a teenager, I sound like a teenager, and I feel like a teenager. The thing is... uh... I don't know how much time has passed since then,", he said uncertainly.
"In other words, you don't know how old you are?", Kerrio summarized.
"Yeah, I don't,", was the boy's answer.
"Don't worry, I won't judge you. I mean, you didn't even know how long you'd slept since then. Hold on, just a moment,", he said.
"Hey System. How much time had passed since he was put in a house and was locked up there?", he sent to the System.
"He was deposited in warehouse #6 nine years ago as a test subject for a skin-enchanting experiment that was canceled due to the mysterious demise of the head researcher of the operation,", it answered.
"Woah, man! You slept for a whole 9 years! So you're 15 like me!", Kerrio finally said after a while.
"Really? How do you know?", Queltsom asked.
"I have a temporary cognition ability,", Kerrio answered.
"A temporary what?", Queltsom asked.
"It means that I can know things once I search for them. But it won't work forever. After a month passes, it'll stop giving me knowledge about things,", Kerrio clarified.
"Oh!", Queltsom said in realization.
"Yeah, also, it doesn't tell me everything. If I want to know about certain things, it won't work.".
"It's still cool though! Knowing about things is nice!"
"A bunch of scientists found you and wanted to experiment on your skin by filling it with runes. But their boss died, so the God protected you!"
"Yeah, he did."
"Aren't you angry at them for trying to enchant you?"
"Being angry at something that happened nine years ago and had failed on top of that won't do me any good. I'd rather train hard to increase my power than do that."
"Where did that wisdom come from? You don't seem like the guy who writes poetry,", Kerrio joked.
"I don't know? "And what in the Void is potry?", Queltsom asked in confusion.
"It's literature,", Kerrio answered.
"What's literata?", he asked.
"Never mind, you aren't wise anymore."
"Uh, thank you?", They burst out laughing for a while, then stopped.
"Don't let others insult you like that, Quel!",
"Of course I know that, Kerrio. I'm not stupid. I know that we are joking right now, but I will know when others mock me for real.".
"Really? How?".
"Dunno, I just do.".
"Ok?".
A silence passed over them, and the System decided that that was the perfect time to start a conversation with Kerrio.
"Not the System? Temporary cognition ability, pff. You listened to me for once and didn't tell him about the full existence of the System,", it said.
"Yeah, shut up, man. Also, how do you feel like a teenager?", Kerrio said.
"Ask him, Kerriosko Valdris. I'll let you tell him about me, though, as long as he doesn't go around screaming it out to other humans,", the System wrote.
"Analyze him,", Kerrio sent.
"Queltsom unknown. Composed of: organs, flesh, skin, bone, etc. Press to view more,", it said.
"This isn't funney, you crappy thing! You know what I mean; I meant identify. But ok, let me ask him first,", Kerrio sent.
"I am not a thing, Kerriosko Valdris,", it replied.
"Hey Quel?", Kerrio said.
"Yeah, Kerrio?", Queltsom replied.
"That power that lets me know things isn't only that. I was given it after I was transported here. It basically lets me explore this world and manage my progress in a manner that I find familiar. We might not have magic back on Earth, but people make up stories that have magic in them. "It's almost like they know that it's a reality and are trying to envision it or something,", he said.
"Oh? You don't have magic, but people make stories of it? Interesting! So how does it let you manage your progress or whatever?", Queltsom asked.
"It's an interface. Like it has menus and screens. It also has skills. Almost every action gives me a skill that will make that action easier for me. There are skills for everything, as far as I know. Cooking is a skill; kicking is a skill; there's even a skill that lets me know the names of people and magical objects, their level and experience, and a basic description of that person's abilities. If it's a magical item, it will tell me its rarity as well as what it can do. That skill is called identification,", Kerrio explained.
"I don't know what menus or screens are, and I don't care since they sound like weird stuff, but what are levels? You said a person's level?", Queltsom asked.
"A level reflects how powerful a person is, generally. The higher the level, the stronger the person. A higher skill level makes that action easier and easier for me to do. There are all sorts of combat skills as well, survival skills, knowledge skills, etcetera,", he added. "This System is a secret, though, so can you please not tell anyone else? Only Lady Eileen knows about it.".
"Of course. I swear to the God that I will never betray you,", he said seriously.
"Woah, man, there's no need for that. I believed you the first time."
"Ehh, I did it anyway. This will make sure that even if I get mind-controlled and forced to betray you, I die immediately,", he continued.
"Dude, don't worry. I won't let anyone mind-control you, and you should learn how to protect yourself so it doesn't happen."
"You're right. Thanks, Kerrio!", Queltsom said brightly.
"So, can I use the Identify skill on you?", Kerrio asked.
"Sure! I'd love to hear what this system of yours thinks about me,", he answered.
"Queltsom unknown has allowed you to see his full status! You can now review it by using the Identify skill! Identify is level 26!", the System box said.
"Name: Queltsom unknown (human?). Level: 9 (relative). Advancement rank: body foundation (Kota soaked). Inherent ability: sealed.
Energy pools:
VE/health: 360/360. BE/stamina: 325/325. ME/magical energy: 425/425. Fe/force energy: 100/100.
Atributes:
Strength: 25. Dexterity: 30. Constitution: 35; endurance: 20; intelligence: 20; toughness: 30. Perception: 25. Wisdom: 20. Willpower: 55. Recovery: body foundation (Kota enhanced).
Skills:
Path of the Cold Fist: automated technique set: extremely rare: level max; meditation: level 19; mind fortress: automated technique: level 12; dual essence seed of haste and force: essence seed (natural treasure, progressive, adaptable): mind foundation: No essence abilities have been created yet.
Description: Queltsom is an unusual humanoid? Who boasts a very high set of attributes for his level. He is moderately strong and has a remarkably balanced body. He can move as fast as needed for his level with no issues due to his above-average dexterity, but he lacks intelligence, wisdom, and endurance. He can't fight for long periods of time, but he may have made up for it with his highest stat, willpower. His resolve and determination to win against the pain that has been his companion ever since he was born have honed his mind enough that he could push past exhaustion and accomplish his goals and so much more. His high stats will defeat yours easily if he catches you and prevents your movement, but never fear. He has vowed to protect you no matter what and will never think of abandoning you. He has even taken a core oath that binds him to you. You may choose to free him from this binding at any time."
"Dang it. His level is relatively lower, but his stats are so high! Kota soaked? I'll have to ask him about that. He has a force energy pool from that essence seed. If he relies on pure energy to advance, then he won't like tempering, so I'll have to give him an essence and tell him to manually cycle it and refine its energy, not letting it touch his aspects. Automated techniques? I remember him saying 'Path of the Cold Fist, Punchstorm" earlier when he hit Brel, so that must be the one that was shown in the skills section. Level max, huh? Also, he can create essence abilities. They must be like skills, but manually forged by the owner of that essence and specially tailored for them, or something like that. Also, this freaks me out. System, free him from the oath right now!", he thought, then spoke the command out loud.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
"What?", Queltsom said in surprise.
"Listen Quel. We are friends, so you don't need to bind yourself to me. Heck, you're stronger than me right now. You have an edge over normal people because you're stronger than them. Don't give me that I swear crap again, you hear me?", he said.
"Alright then, Kerrio,", Queltsom answered. "So, how strong am I? How do you even know how strong someone is? I can't imagine that two people with the same level have the same strength, right?"
"So each person has attributes." Each one of their main combat traits is called an attribute. Like strength, willpower, intelligence, and perception. Strength is how much physical damage you can theoretically deal with your body; willpower reflects how resilient your mind is; and so on,", Kerrio said.
"So agility is one of those attributes?", Queltsom asked.
"It's called dexterity, but yeah, it symbolizes how fast you can be and how elegantly you move,", he replied.
"This is weird, man. Why would the System describe people with numbers? That's like thinking they're machines,", Queltsom remarked.
"I don't care; as long as the System is accurate in evaluating my strengths as well as those of other people and I have something to base things on and a way to compare people to myself and vice versa, I'm fine with the System saying I'm a machine. I know I'm not, so what it means with the numbers doesn't matter,", Kerrio told him.
"Good way of thinking, Kerrio. So tell me my attributes, then tell me yours if you don't mind,", Queltsom requested.
"Sure, let's start with mine. Hold on, let me check what the system told me,", Kerrio said.
"Achievement: Will of Steel." You have done the impossible with your will alone. Weak as it was, it was enough to advance your affinity and accomplish what would take the most prodigious years to do in a matter of mere seconds. Fueled by resolve, desperation, and luck, you have made a foe far beyond you fear you by name by thwarting its plans and exploding in groath right before its eyes. But beware, arcane one, for fear leads to anger, and anger leads to hate. +4 willpower! +2 intelligence, constitution, endurance, toughness, and perception! +1 strength and dexterity!
You have gained a new skill!
Arcane Will: extremely rare: Level 1. Your blood, your flesh, and your bones are one and the same, and the will that drives them is absolute. Allows you to convert your blood, flesh, and bones to gain either health, stamina, or magical (electrical) energy. The greater the amount of body mass converted, the more energy you'll gain. The amount of energy gained per conversion increases slightly with higher levels. Pain decreases moderately with higher levels. Further bennefets will be unlocked at a higher level.
Your arcane will has advanced your electric affinity!
Electric affinity: level 2: increased output of electrical energy!
Your arcane will has advanced your electric affinity!
Electric affinity: level 3: allows you to turn into electricity and mold yourself at will! This is further enhanced by your arcane will and will provide increased regeneration by drawing from the electrons all around you! grants you the ability to passively hone your attributes by draining the essence out of the electrons all around you. This process will be extremely slow, but progress is sure to follow you like a shadow!
Your arcane will has advanced your electric affinity!
Electric affinity: level 4: further increased possible output of electrical energy! Your rapid and restless progress poses a danger to you, so be careful not to rush further!
Your arcane will has advanced your electric affinity!
Electric affinity: level 5: You can now solidify your electrical form into any shape you will after turning your body into electricity! Danger! Danger! Do not advance further until you're much, much stronger!"
"This is way too intense for me! So my struggle has kind of paid off, but in a big and ridiculous way! I mean, what's with the dark comments like 'Oh, arcane one, fear leads to anger, and anger leads to hate'? I didn't do anything but fight against a little angry aura. That practically happens every Tuesday! An enemy far beyond me, and I made it scared of me? I admit, that sounds kind of awesome and all, but this Arcane Will business is freaky! Sacrifice my blood and flesh? I can't believe I actually had to do that to save Queltsom! Like seriously? That bonus to willpower and rounding off most of my stats to 15 are nice and all. I guess I got paid back for rolling with the horror of it all. I mean, I can zap people now! No, not just zap them! I can effectively turn into an electrical zipping-zapping sword for someone to use or a car made of solid electricity. How does that even work? Magic is weird. Anyway, the possibilities are endless! I'm overpowered now!", Kerrio thought after he read the notification.
After a while, Kerrio's head finally calmed down, and he used the rational part of it to know exactly how much stronger he had gotten. After some calculations, he thought of it more like a bonus to level the playing field and complement Queltsom's untested force attacks and high as hell willpower, as well as his extreme other stats. Even his weakest stats are only 20! That's equal to Kerrio's willpower, his highest stat! And not as overpowered as his earlier mental declaration would suggest. Assuming Kerrio couldn't just spam the heck out of an all-consuming electrical field attack with unending might, and he most likely couldn't, that was the case. Also, Kerrio could turn into a car and drive them and any potential future team members for long distances, or he could turn into a flying rocket with sparks! That would be very, very, very slay, sick, cool, awesome, and every synonym of the word! Kerrio knew that he could only use as much power as his body and his stats would allow, and he couldn't overload a big attack that he couldn't actually handle. So he was determined to go explore the Omnis with Queltsom, fight monsters, make friends, and have a real, real good adventure! First, training has to be done. Kerrio was as ready as he'll ever be. He continued chatting with Queltsom.
"I have 10 strength and toughness, 15 intelligence, wisdom, constitution, endurance, and dexterity, 13 perception, and 20 willpower.", Kerrio finally said allowed.
"Oh, 20 sounds like your will is strong or something. Why do you only have 10 in strength and toughness, though?", Queltsom asked.
"It's my weakness, but if I'm fast enough, I can avoid being squished by a big, strong enemy. I plan on being fast, and my new power will help me with that!", he replied.
"New power?", Queltsom asked.
"Yeah, I can use electricity magic now!", Kerrio replied.
"Electricity, like lightning?", Queltsom asked.
"Not that extreme, but it's the main thing lightning is made of. It's the thing that zaps people. It also allows everything in my magicless world to work properly. Everything runs on electricity there,", Kerrio explained.
"Cool! Can you show me? Please don't zap me, though!", Queltsom asked.
"Sure! I'll try it first by turning myself into electricity, so I can get a feel for my new power and get used to it,", he said.
*Crackle*, *swoosh*!
"Owww! That hurt! I think I overdid it. I should decrease its intensity next time!", he said in a moaning voice, accompanied by the sound of steam escaping his scorched body. After a while, he flared it again, and it crackled and started buzzing with power.
"Oh man, this is cool!", Kerrio's excited voice came out like it had a flanger effect on it.
"Woah, I can feel your power from here! It feels tingly, and it keeps moving. Why does it move a lot? And why's your voice like that?", asked Queltsom.
"Dunno, but yeah, it's cool! Come pick me up!", he said, and something fell on the ground. Queltsom felt the pressure from it and picked it up.
"Why do you look like a box right now?", he asked curiously.
"Magic!", Kerrio answered happily. They kept goofing around like that for over a quarter of an hour before the box cracked and Kerrio fell to the ground.
"Are you alright?", Queltsom said, hurrying to the fallen Kerrio's side.
"I ran out of fuel,", Kerrio answered in a tired voice. "This electric magic is really exhausting; I can't use it for long. I'll need to practice with it before I can use it in battle,", he said, standing up.
"Alright then! You're tired, so let's sleep, and then we'll train tomorrow. Today was exhausting for me as well, what with the Linda business and all that. Good night, Kerrio!", he said, going to the bed he had woken up on previously.
"Good night, Quel!", Kerrio yawned, and they soon drifted off.