“With that out of the way, let’s start digging into the details.” Pax helped herself to another cookie.
“First things first. After roughly 4.5 billion years of processing cosmic energy, life on Earth has evolved enough for your planet to reach Level 1, the minimum threshold to be eligible for System membership.
“We don’t have time to go into what the System is right now. It takes years just to cover the basics. At this stage, you can think of the System as the natural laws that govern this region of the multiverse, as well as the umpire that makes sure those rules are followed. It can also act like a coach or a critic, but you’ll learn more about that during your tutorial.”
Nick nodded along with Pax’s words as she continued to explain. “Now that the Earth has been integrated into the System, your species has been granted access to metrics that outline your present capabilities and evaluate your growth. You now have a tier, a level, attributes, and more. After you pick your starter class, you can start gaining experience and level up, becoming more powerful as you defeat enemies, complete quests, and overcome various threats that the System throws at you.”
“It’s kind of like those games that you enjoy so much.” She stopped to think about it for a second. “I mean, not really, but it’s the closest thing that you have. Many of the concepts are related, but there are some big differences too. Each level will come slower than you’re used to, but they will provide bigger gains. Your stats won’t shoot up as fast, but each attribute point will really make a difference. You will receive experience for overcoming challenges and surviving danger, rather than mindless killing.”
Nick opened his mouth to utter a question, but Pax cut it short with her next words. “Sorry, that’s all I’m allowed to say about the matter until you’ve officially picked a class and started your tutorial. Then you’ll get access to the System compendium and can look up the details yourself.
“Moving on. While both emphasize strength through conflict, this isn’t a cultivation-based System. Although some parts overlap, now that I think about it, such as tiers and the requirements for species evolution. You won’t be able to advance by sitting on your ass and absorbing cosmic energy or by ingesting random pills and natural treasures. But I’ve always found those paths to power to be rather dull; meditating in a cave for decades to reach a higher level of consciousness, just to move on to sitting in an even bigger cave for centuries.”
Pax stopped to take a deep breath, downing a frosty glass of lemonade before flashing Nick a grin. “That’s probably TMI for now and I’ll be able to give you a better rundown the next time we meet. You’re a fantastic listener, Nick. I could keep chatting with you all day, but I don’t want to cut into the time we’ve reserved for you to decide on your class. Unless you have any questions, let’s get you geared up and then send you on your way.”
“I do have one question.” He actually had a horde of questions, but only one that he needed to have answered right away. “You keep talking about conflict and battle. Do I really have to fight and kill to survive from now on?”
Pax looked down and clasped him on the back. When he looked up, he saw sadness around the corners of her eyes—sorrow that had to stem from painful memories.
“I’m afraid so, Nick. While you might eventually specialize in crafting or trading, you need to be able to protect yourself. Otherwise, you’ll be easy prey for any person, beast, or abomination that crosses your path. Not to mention, the System tends to push you into conflict. You won’t last long if you aren’t willing to draw blood.
“That doesn’t mean you have to become a sociopath. Taking a life should always have weight, and you don’t have to be cruel to be strong. Unfortunately, the pursuit of power turns some people into predators, killing or subjugating anyone weaker who crosses their path. Others submit to someone stronger, gambling their freedom on the whims of another.
“We can keep talking as we walk. Follow me.” Pax stopped to grab the plate of cookies. Then she walked over to a door that hadn’t been there until now, ushering Nick into a corridor beyond. He followed her out of the office, down a long hallway, and through another door that opened into a massive warehouse.
The walls stretched up for hundreds of feet before they met the ceiling, every visible surface filled with rack after rack of weapons. He ran his eyes across a column of swords, tracing their gleaming points and razor edges. Across from it sat a rack holding hundreds of rifles. Although he had seen thousands of weapons throughout his lifelong obsession with gaming, this was his first time taking in these killing tools with his own eyes.
Pax stopped beside a long wooden bench and motioned for Nick to take a seat, letting him take the weight off his feet. They still hurt, but like she had promised, they seemed a bit better already. She made her way over to the racks and started pulling down weapons, handing them over for him to examine.
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“Before I send you into your tutorial, I’ll help you pick a class and your starting gear, then hook you up with a spatial storage ring. It’s important to try a range of these weapons out so that you can find one that really suits you. Bear in mind that you aren’t just picking out a tool to fight with. This selection will affect what classes are offered, alongside your life experiences, preferences, and aptitudes.”
While she spoke, Pax brought a short sword over to the bench, followed by a long spear, a pistol, a bow, a pair of daggers, and finally, what appeared to be some sort of magic wand. “You can choose anything in this room, but I suggest that you start with a simple melee weapon. A short sword or spear will be useful in almost any situation, while the others are less well-rounded.
“A gun would be a solid pick if you want to maximize your odds of surviving the tutorial, although it will be useless later without a lot of expensive modifications. Too many powers can bend the laws of physics and interfere with their firing mechanisms. I lost my last mentee when a pyromancer detonated all the magazines in her bandolier at once. But running a sword through someone’s heart is a sure kill on any plane of existence. At least when fighting anything in your own tier. Not that you have a chance of walking away from an encounter with anything Tier 2 or above regardless.
“I recommend that you try out each of these before you decide. We’ll head over to the class selection kiosk as soon as the System turns it on. Not everyone is picking up the basics as quickly as you Nick, so you get to spend more time with the weapons. It’s bending the rules a little, but I’ll hook you up with a training session before you go and let you learn the ins and outs of your class with one of our virtual instructors. Slay a few training dummies, raise your skills off the floor, and start you off with a bit of experience. While you think it over, I’ll hit you with some information about classes.”
Nick listened with one ear as he picked up the wand. He would look over the other options, as Pax had suggested, but he already knew that he would choose this device.
If magic had become a part of his world, then he needed to acquire some as quickly as possible. While the wand was an unfamiliar tool that would take him time to master, the pistol would be useless once it ran out of rounds. Whatever Nick would have to fight once he reached the tutorial, he wanted to be able to neutralize it at range rather than trying to land a decisive blow with a sword or dagger.
But the deciding factor was the last tidbit Pax had given him—about the selection affecting his classes. The wand would probably put him on the path of magic instead of hunter or warrior type.
“Let’s pull up your profile and take a look at your stats while you decide.” Pax got that distant look in her eyes while Nick got used to the weight of the wand in his hand.
“While your starting attributes are… a few points shy of spectacular, I’ll help you pick a solid class that will help compensate for the disadvantage until you can condition your body, which I suggest you prioritize early on. Let’s see, you have been offered one hundred and seventeen classes to choose from. Not bad at all.”
He set down the wand and picked up the sword. Despite everything that was happening, it was undeniably kind of cool to swing the weapon through the air—like the fantasies that had lived inside Nick’s head all his life could finally come out and play.
“Filtering out all the common and basic classes, we have thirty-two left to pick from. The list includes four rares, and wow, is that a Shadow Knight? I’m almost certain that… Yup, that’s an epic class all right. You’ve hit the jackpot! You’re probably going to pick the SK, Nick, but let’s go over your options in detail. A good fit is just as important as rarity, and some of these rare classes are pretty awesome too.
“Making this decision will be a crash course in System mechanics, especially how skills, classes, attributes, and abilities work. This will be time well spent, even though I know that I’ll be calling you Sir Knight by the end of the day. We still have a few minutes before the System unlocks the class selection menu, so we can take our time going over the basics.
“Man, my face must be emerald with envy. I had to make do with an uncommon duelist for decades, and that’s about as basic as classes come. Except, of course, for the common and basic classes. But no one ever picks those unless they’re insane, suicidal, or have no other choice.”
Nick had just set down the daggers and picked up the pistol, ready to fire off a few rounds before committing, when the entire world shook.
He dropped the weapon and grabbed the bench for support, looking to his mentor for reassurance. What he saw on her face made his premonition of dread rise to the surface once more. Because the massive, battle-scarred woman looked terrified. “What the fuck is happening? This shouldn’t be possible.” She seemed stunned by the occurrence.
That was when a message popped into existence in front of them. Pax gasped as she read the words along with Nick.
System message: Legal challenge.
Problem: On review, it has been determined that two winning mentorship bids were received simultaneously. One of the parties has lodged a formal complaint.
Challenge review initiated… Review complete.
Objection sustained.
Solution: The mentorship of planet [Earth, 1] will be determined by simple roll of the dice (d20).
Astra and Taltos will roll to determine the outcome of the bidding war.
Roll completed. The challenger has won (20 vs 19).
Outcome: Planet [Earth, 1] has been removed from the mentorship of [Astra, the Green Mother, S] and has been assigned to the care of [Taltos, the Mad God, SS].