Pacing back and forth inside the stone building, I take the time to collect my thoughts yet again. Thinking I’ve gone crazy seems to be the most logical conclusion for me to make. If I take what the floating box stuck in my vision has written on it at face value, then not only have I been taken to some other world I know nothing about, I’m also no longer even human to boot. Have I finally escaped from reality into my own head, or is what it said true and I really died and have now been given a new life in a new world.
A new life? Isn’t that a good thing? Isn’t this what I’ve been hoping to happen for years now?
Now that I thought about it, was this new reality of mine so bad? If I have gone mental and am dreaming this up, then I’m already too far gone anyways, so I might as well treat this as my new reality and make the most of my new life. Even better if this actually is real, I’m finally free from that hell and can do whatever I want now!
After my decision to take a positive outlook on my predicament, I sat back down on the floor and began to reread what the floating box had written on it, more specifically the parts that will inform me a little bit more on what to do. Finding the specific part I was looking for, I then do as it says to and focus on the word “Status.” Almost instantaneously after thinking about the word, the previous floating screen, or window as it was called, is replaced by another with strings of text and numbers filling it.
Name: Chloe Wright
Species: {Demon}
Age: 19
Displayed Title: None (3 Valid Titles Available)
Unused Stat Points: 0
Endurance: 5
Recovery: 30
Strength: 5
Dexterity: 25
Magic Power: 10
Mana Control: 25
Subspecies: {Temiskyr Imp} Level 1
Active Skills (1/5):
-[Restful Touch] Level 1
Passive Skills (1/5):
-[Enchantment Affinity] Level 1
Active General Skills:
-[Light Of Justice] Level 1
Passive General Skills:
-[Unholy Resistance] Level 1
-[Holy Affinity] Level 1
This was a lot to take in. I feel like I got the gist for some of the stuff listed, like how it listed things like strength and then a number next to it, which most likely was the system putting my capabilities into a numerical form, but I have no clue about stuff like what the difference between the skills under my subspecies and the skills listed as “general” are or what even any of those skills are. On top of that, I have something called “magic power,” so does that mean magic is real? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since its existence would explain at least a little bit on how I ended up here, though I wish there was more detail on some of this.
It was then that I remembered that the other window said I could focus on “aspects” of the system for more information, so I decided to test on the thing I am currently most intrigued about, namely whatever the hell a Temiskyr Imp is.
{Temiskyr Imp}:
A rare variant of Imp, this Subspecies consists of predominantly female Demons that are adept at (Enchantment) Magic. Born and raised on the small island nation of Temiskyr, it is uncommon for any Temiskyr Demons to be found venturing outward anywhere else in the world.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Seeing as I’ve never even heard of Temiskyr before, this didn’t tell me much other than I’m a rare type of demon good at whatever Enchantment magic is. On that topic, I might as well find out what [Enchantment Affinity] is since that must be related.
[Enchantment Affinity]:
Gives the user increased resistance to and ability with (Enchantment) Skills and Spells.
….
Is that it?
It didn’t even tell me what Enchantment Skills and Spells are!
Right as I thought that, the window changed again, this time with a description of Enchantment itself.
(Enchantment):
A category of Skills and Spells focusing on the alteration of a person's mind or perception. This field of magic focuses primarily on debilitating opponents with effects such as charming them, blindly enraging them, removing their ability to hear, etcetera.
That actually seems pretty useful! Not a fan of the charming thing, but I can think of a few applications where taking someone's hearing or making someone really mad whenever I want could be helpful. Thankfully, [Enchantment Affinity] said I have an increased resistance as well, so I won't have to worry too much about someone enchanting me. Also, I only have one other skill listed under the subspecies, so hopefully it is an Enchantment skill.
[Restful Touch]:
Implants a sense of relaxation on whoever the user makes physical contact with, reducing their concentration. The user may enhance the effect via prolonged contact. This is a Skill under the (Enchantment) Category.
Bingo! I was right on the money. Though I would have preferred something more debilitating, beggars can't be choosers. Now I just need to figure out how to use it.
Do I just focus on using it just like with opening my status or getting information on my skills?
I stuck out my hand in front of me and thought about using the skill, a slight tingling sensation soon appearing on my palm. Looking around me and seeing no one else to try it on, I took one finger and pressed it against my other arm. I didn’t feel any different at first, but as the seconds passed whilst I continued to press my finger down, a sense of calm came over me, like I just took a comfy blanket and wrapped myself with it. I became more and more relaxed as I held on, basking in the sensation,
This feels really nice.
What was I doing again?
It must not have been important if I forgot about it,
Maybe I should lie down and then…
[Skill [Restful Touch] Has Reached Level 2!]
Jolting in surprise at the unexpected message, my finger lost contact with my arm and I started to regain my senses. Deactivating the skill with a thought, I swiftly revoked my earlier complaints about this not being a debilitating enough skill. Luckily no one was around, but if I held on much longer I might’ve gone and taken a nap right then and there. Also, what was that about reaching level 2? Seeing as how the level increased after using it for a while, maybe it means I got better at using the skill, or the skill itself got better? Thinking about my status again showed “Level 2” next to [Restful Touch] instead of “Level 1” like everything else, so it must have really increased due to me using it on myself.
Good to know that using my skills makes them better, but maybe next time think before using them on yourself, idiot.
Self-depreciation aside, I might as well take a look at what my other three skills do, even if I have a good idea as to what [Holy Affinity] does.
[Holy Affinity]:
Gives the user increased resistance to and ability with (Holy) Skills and Spells.
Wow, that is pretty much word for word other than the swap of Enchantment and Holy. But aren’t Demons supposed to be, well, the opposite of Holy? I mean my next skill fits better than this one.
[Unholy Resistance]:
Gives the user increased resistance to (Unholy) Skills and Spells.
So it's basically just an Affinity skill but worse? Granted, I am perfectly fine with having resistance to that which is considered Unholy. Even more so after reading the descriptions on what Holy and Unholy is.
(Holy):
A category of Skills and Spells focusing on restoration and purification. This field of magic is rarely found being the sole category of a Skill or Spell, usually an addition to another element such as (Water) or (Light). In most, but not all, cases, Skills and Spells with this category come from a relation to a Divine Patron.
(Unholy):
A category of Skills and Spells focusing on decay and corruption. This field of magic is rarely found being the sole category of a Skill or Spell, usually an addition to another element such as (Fire) or (Shadow). In most, but not all, cases, Skills and Spells with this category come from a relation to a Divine Patron.
These two seem to be similar overall, besides the fact that Unholy’s description sounds a lot less pleasant than Holy’s description. Actually, as I compare the two descriptions, the differences are complete opposites of one another, which would make sense as Unholy pretty much just means “not Holy.” Nevertheless, I still have one more skill to check on.
[Light Of Justice]:
Allows the user to imbue themselves with (Holy) (Light) to strike down those who would bring about injustice under the name of the goddess Ius…
*CRACK*
“What the hell was that?!”
Exclaiming aloud, I turn to the huge wooden doors, the source of the disturbing sound, just in time to hear another impact against it as it starts to shudder. Before I have time to do anything more than get to my feet and face the doorway, one last slam against the door is quickly followed by it finally swinging inward, revealing a decaying skeleton wielding a wooden club, with mist wafting from all over its body, standing unaided and staring right at me with the pair of glowing, silver flaming balls currently occupying its empty eye sockets.