Henry's fingers tapped his desk. A silent noise among the loud of the classroom. Besides Henry were his classmates and friends. He wasn't the most popular in school, but he was neither the least liked. He belonged right in the middle, so average some questioned if he was doing it on purpose. But Henry wasn't trying to be anything else but himself. The home room teacher went on and on like usual so Henry gave her the minimal amount of attention required. It was another day for him, nothing more. A sudden beep tore Henry from his stupor.
[Host has been chosen by the Beyond Average System! Host has understood the meaning of average and now is given the chance to go Beyond! Initializing…]
Henry's mouth gaped wide. He couldn't process the mysterious blue screen in front of him. Looking around the room, he noticed no one else could see this floating blue panel. In his mind it finally clicked, this was very similar to the rare web novels he had read in his off time. Before he could fully comprehend what has happened a thunderous shock torched him. Henry began convulsing in shock, his nervous system was going haywire. The pain burnt his mind or whatever he perceived to be his consciousness. Soon it proved to be too much and Henry's head slammed into his desk. Henry registered someone's shrill shriek before passing out, but he wouldn't pay attention to an ant bite if he was being burned alive.
—
The darkness passed and now Henry had awoken. The ceiling belonged to the nurse's room. A warm towel was on his forehead and Henry was under the blanket. He slowly recalled the events that had occurred. He was in class and then a panel calling itself Beyond Average something appeared. Then thunderous searing pain. Remembering the feeling sent shivers down Henry's spine. But somewhere deep within he was curious about what happened.
"Ah your awake!" The nurse shook Henry out of his abnormal curiosity.
"Yes." Henry replied, yet his throat was parched.
"Here have some water. Hmm, good it seems like your feeling better. But you should rest a bit longer and not work yourself so hard. Young people like you need to learn how to have a proper work life balance. Working so hard is never good for you. Take it from us older folks, its a lesson that's not easily learnt until later in life." Henry sipped his water while listening to the nurse give her lecture.
"Thank you ma'am, I'll make sure to keep that in mind. Can I get back to my classes now that I'm feeling better?" Getting away from this lecturing golem was his first priority after waking up.
"Tsk, did you not hear what I just said? Students these days work too hard. Fine, go, go. Don't come back dragged here, or else I'll send you back home, 'kay?" The nurse brows furrowed, but she could do nothing to keep him here as Henry looked fine after waking up.
"Thank you, I'll take my leave." Henry swiftly exited the nurses room waving good bye.
"Now, Oh mighty System heed my call and bless me with your presence!" Henry walked down the hallway making dramatic poses and finished with a Jotaro pointing pose. The hallway was silent when the System beeped.
[Your call has been answered Host! The Beyond Average System has chosen correctly. A Host who understands the assignment perfectly, truly a perfect Host like none other.]
"Heh, Keikaku intensifies. Watching anime has become the new normal, so I walk the path of the true. To spout cringe lines is my creed, but only when I'm alone. So, BAS what benefits do you bring or are you mere decoration?"
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
[Superb, creating a perfect name for this System in mere seconds, truly impeccable! Crunching this System's name into an acronym, Host knows no bound! Novice gift package is in order! Sending…]
A sharp pain poked at Henry's mind, but after the first experience this was only like a pinch to him. A stream of knowledge injected straight into his mind unlocking a special sense. The air suddenly became different, small particles shifted and floated about. This special energy according to the Novice gift package he had gotten was called Mana. Mana just like in all the novels he read was malleable and could be used for magic. Except Henry doesn't know how to do that. He was only able to sense the Mana like one would sense dust in a dusty room, so pretty much useless. It clung to his skin, clothes, hair, and his whole being. A very unique yet annoying sensation that he did not know how to turn off.
[Host has been gifted Mana Sense! To stand above the average the Host must ascend and surpass them all! What else other than sensing one of the very foundational laws of reality would be a better conduit to reach such a feat!]
"Hmm, a foundational law of reality. This Mana energy might be stronger than I initially thought." Henry thought to himself while entering the men's restroom.
Henry felt more free than ever before after being inflicted by that godly amount of pain. It might be because he went crazy after that experience. Or the System had to remove inhibition's and habits that held Henry back from becoming beyond average. Whatever it was, no one in the world would know what made this startling change, except maybe the System. The faucet ran and Henry splashed a handful of water on his face. His school issued shirt got splashed as well, but it didn't matter no more. What previously would've been a troubling issue was treated as a small minor inconvenience. It became a new necessary to wash his hands before using the toilet. Henry entered a stall to relieve himself closing the door behind him. The hidden dirtiness of the men's toilet was in full view. Henry quickly went about his business and contemplated what other perks his System might give him. Time would only tell though as the System seemed rather tight lipped on those matters.
Exiting the stall, Henry washed his hands once more. He heard Shoes clank and someone entering the restroom. Then he sensed it, this person contained a lot of Mana. Although Henry doesn't know the average, he should be able to use himself as baseline. Or else why else would the System choose him? Using himself as a reference, this newcomer held 5 times more Mana than the average. This newcomer was another student with dyed blond hair with a charming smile. It was one students from popular group. The student ignored Henry and went on with his business. But just as he was about to leave Henry froze. The other student did not have a reflection. Henry heart rate jumped in seconds. The student suddenly turned towards Henry and the two locked eyes. A deafening silence enveloped the two, until Henry broke it.
"Your reflection… Looks so funny with the water distorting it like that." Henry chuckled, but the student's eyes sharpened.
"You shouldn't make a mess for the janitor. It is unbecoming for a student." The student's voice was clear and concise.
"My bad, I'll keep that in mind for next time, see ya." Henry walked out of the restroom hiding a troubled look on his face. Henry mulled over the conversation multiple times and was sure he didn't make any mistakes revealing himself. He questioned the System about why the student did not have a reflection, when it answered.
[Host cannot become Beyond Average if Host can't think for himself. Issuing Quest… A mysterious student lacking in a reflection, solve the mystery behind this phenomenon and learn the truth! Best of luck Host! Mysterious Mirror Boy - Quest Progress: 0%]
The System lack of help caused Henry to shelve the event. Swiftly Henry checked the time and went to his next class.
—
Minutes ago inside the restroom stall. The mysterious student watched Henry leave. The student's mind was a buzz as he kept replaying the encounter.
"His heart rate jumped after seeing my reflection and then when I exerted pressure on him I got no reaction. Is this talisman faulty? I was sure it was functioning when I first got it." The blond student looked down at the necklace inscribed with intricate marks with a puzzled gaze.
"Whatever. But his heart beat doesn't lie, he was unaffected by my pressure… Indeed, this school is a place for the supernatural even the regular students are unique, haha." The blond student laughed as he left the restroom ignoring the fact he had no reflection.