First Person View

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You know, the more I look at this garden, the more at ease I feel. The flowers emit such a relaxing aroma, the trees make up for beautiful scenery, and the animals here- Although they don't like to be called animals- are chatting happily with each other, giving a lively atmosphere.

I like it here. Although, I suppose a complaint I have is that there isn't enough fighting here- Or, well, there isn't any fighting, at all. I suppose that is to be expected, everyone here is friendly.

Though, another complaint I have is this girl smacking my head constantly.

"Who are you calling ugly, eh?!" This girl- who the White Rabbit told me is called Kira- was currently fuming and abusing my head right now. The White Rabbit told me she was the daughter of a cat, one called Cheshire Cat. I have no clue how it works, and I don't really care that much about it.

How did it turn out like this? She wanted to know what the pun I told earlier was, and so I told her. And from there, we began to chat, mostly by giving puns to each other. It was quite fun, but then it escalated quite quickly, and I may or may not have said that her ears made her look ugly.

Still, isn't this reaction a bit...?

Regardless, I can't even fight back. Mostly because she's a friend of the White Rabbit, and, well, her punches are mild. I feel like if I fight back, I might not be able to control my fighting instinct.

Worst of all, that eye of the monster kept snickering at me. I don't even know how, considering it's just an eyeball. But of course, being the benevolent person I was, I smacked it against the ground, and it bounced back into my hand.

"Ugh, you bastard!" It cursed as I kept on playing with it.

Be like me, would you? Why are you crying out loud? Look at me, I'm not complaining.

Granted, I don't think her punches are comparable to me throwing it like a ball, but whatever.

"Do you have no shame calling a girl ugly?!"

"I only said the ears are ugly..."

"EH?! Do you have any idea how much people love girls with cat ears?!"

"Not really..."

What's so great about it, anyway?

I turned my attention towards the White Rabbit, who was checking the core of Albert, while Kira was bashing my head. He began showering me with compliments when I defeated the eye monster, and although he was saddened by Albert's death, that didn't waver his excitement. If anything, when I told him I killed a rabbit called Albert, he was in a mixture of sadness, and excitement. It was weird, I never thought anyone could have both emotions at the same time.

Right now, he was examining the core in case there was anything wrong with it. It was supposed to help me. Not with my memory, mind you. This core will help me awaken my 'true potential', apparently.

"Considering your memory loss," The White Rabbit started, "I don't suppose you know anything about the transparent holographic panel, yes?"

Kira stopped bashing my head and looked at the White Rabbit in confusion. Meanwhile, I just lazily looked at him without any care in the world.

"This 'panel' is what we call the divine system. It first appeared when the madness began to engulf our world, and its purpose is to help people ward off the madness." He continued, "Those who have the system are destined to fight off against the madness, and eventually bring peace to the world."

The White Rabbit squinted his eyes at the core, and let out an audible hum.

"And you," He pointed at me with one hand, while the other held the core. His gaze was still glued to the core, "Are one of those chosen people. And considering you managed to defeat Albert, who was a guardian to the core, it means the system heavily favors you."

"Right..."

"You don't seem to believe me."

"I do."

"Do you, now?"

After checking the core for a few more moments, the White Rabbit nodded, seemingly satisfied. He then gave me the core, as well as a book.

"Fortunately, Albert's madness wasn't strong enough to pierce through the core. It should be safe to consume." He started, "This book," he pointed at the book in front of me, "-contains the basic history of fairy tales, their powers, and their madness level. Usually, after consuming the core, one should ought to rest. However..."

Stolen novel; please report.

The White Rabbit looked me up and down, "I don't think you're going to need that. I want you to hunt one of those fairy tales that have been a pain in the rear for me- or, to be more specific- I want you to remove their madness."

Woah there, you suddenly act like I'm your subordinate. I never agreed to any of this.

"Why would I help you?" I calmly said.

"Of course, there would be rewards. Additionally, it's your fate to ward off the madness- Your duty."

Fate this, fate that. I don't really care. Neither do I really care about rewards, too. If the White Rabbit truly wants me to help him, then there's one important thing I need to know-

"...Are they strong?"

Perhaps he expected this. The White Rabbit coughed in response, his ears shaking for a moment.

"O-Of course- However! I assure you, this book and my help will make sure you-"

"Then I'll do it."

The White Rabbit suddenly stopped, flabbergasted by what I said. That's what I thought would happen. I mean, most people probably don't want to risk their lives fighting powerful beasts, unless the reward was worth it. I, on the other hand, don't care about that.

I just want to swing my sword, and perhaps see other sceneries. The only things I want are to fight and explore. And, well, occasionally make a joke here and there.

"I- Um, certainly didn't expect that. Sir sure does have an interesting mindset. Very well, then. We'll start right away once you consume the core."

I nodded lazily, and turned to look at the core. I assume I had to eat it, right? Though, it's hard as stone. It's not going to be pleasant.

"You're a weird one." Kira chimed in, looking at me like I'm a freak.

Of course, I ignored her.

Just as I was about to bite the core, that holographic panel suddenly appeared in front of me. The so-called "Divine System"

[Name: Core of Potential (1)

Rarity: S+

Description: The Core of Potential was brought upon the world by the Divine System. They were specifically made to unlock the potential of the people. Humanity, ever since the dawn of time, had its potential and adaptability locked by a contract made by ###. The ###, afraid of humanity's potential, has put a law on humanity that locked their potential up and put a limit on them, in fear that they might one day overthrow them. This core grants you a portion of resistance to that law, unlocking a subset of your potential.

Effects:

1. Potential Unlock.

2. Massively enhances adaptability

3. Massively enhances senses]

Would you look at that? It even gives me a story and its effects. Isn't that just convenient? Though, what is up with that blurred-out name? Also, putting a law on humanity? Whoever did that sure seemed powerful. To be able to affect the laws of reality like this, it was out of the realm of humanity.

Regardless, It's none of my business. For now, I just need to absorb this core thing.

I slowly put the core inside my mouth and bit it hard.

...!

How odd. Despite being hard as stone just a few moments ago, It instantly turned soft the moment I bit it. Additionally, it had a wonderful taste to it, similar to caramel pudding.

Caramel pudding? Damn it, there I go again. I barely have any recollection of what this is.

As I happily chew the core, I didn't really feel anything. Even after swallowing it, I didn't feel any change. It was just a nice treat-

*Whoosh!*

*Huff!*

...?!

I suddenly felt a skull-splitting headache, and it was as if the insides of my body were being rearranged. My hand shook, and despite my best attempt to move it, I couldn't.

*Thump* *Thump*

I could feel my heart beating at an exhilarating pace, threatening to be pulled out of my body. This sensation- It was awful, as if there were countless needles poking my skin, except those needles were on fire.

You know, I probably should've thought twice before eating this core. I'm not sure if this is due to the nature of the core, or if the White Rabbit has done something to it, but something is certain-

This hurts like hell.

*Thrump*

*Pzzt!*

Shit, what the hell is this? My blood flow, my heartbeat, my neurons (?), and my cells. I could sense, feel, and even hear everything! I could feel the slightest amount of movement, and the sensation of the sword's leather sheath as my body instinctively shook.

"Sir-"

"H-Hey! Something is wrong! H-His body temperature seems to be rising, I can even feel it from here!"

No- those weren't the only things I could feel. The White Rabbit- even with the minimalist movement he makes, I could hear it, see it, and its function. His fur moving by the most miniscule distance, I could hear it. The rustling of his clothes upon his body. I could hear it. Even when he moves his eyes- I could... hear his eyes moving.

But the most important part was-

"Sir, a-are you alright? Apolo-"

"'-Apologies, I didn't think the process would be that painful. It usually isn't that painful- at least, according to my research!', that's... what you wanted to say, right?"

-I could hear the neurons of The White Rabbit's brain, the buzzing, electrical sound coming from his brain, and I could even tell what he will say next, or what his actions will be.

The White Rabbit, and Kira, looked at me like I was a madman. Kira didn't understand what I was saying, but the White Rabbit seems to have understood, as his eyes showed his disbelief. Of course, from the sound coming from his brain, I could tell I was right.

"Y-You... How did you...?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I simply inhaled, then exhaled slowly while closing my eyes. This feeling- It's weird. I could hear and sense everything. The wind speed, the fluttering of clothes as they touch the skin, and the sound of the small animals running happily in this garden. The trees, the grass, the breathing of everyone, and everything else.

[Congratulation! You have successfully absorbed the Core of Potential! A portion of your potential has awakened, and you gained partial resistance to the ###'s law and contract!

Your senses have been massively enhanced!

However, your adaptation is already at an amazing level, and the Core's adaptation-enhancing effect was not very effective]

Thankfully, it seems the core wasn't designed to kill me, and the White Rabbit wasn't plotting to kill me, it appears.

But, I just want to stay still for a moment, and breathe.

...

After a few moments of complete 'silence', well, at least to the others, the White Rabbit decided to break the ice.

"E-Ehm, this- this is certainly strange, and fascinating. B-But, sir, how... are you feeling?"

...How am I feeling?

"Its-" I started, before inhaling once more, "-really noisy."

Clearly, they didn't expect me to say that.

"And..." I continued,

"I feel fucking powerful."