Max finally regained consciousness in his head. To his surprise, a transparent screen displayed information in front of him.
[
** Status **
Name : Max
Age : 14
** Physical **
Health : 50
Strength : 15
Stamina : 5
Speed : 5
** Magic **
Level : 0
Power ( MP ) : 0
Attribute : Judgement ( Dormant )
** Warrior **
Level : 0
Power ( WP ) : 0
Weapon : Soul Sword ( Dormant )
** Titles **
Hope of Judgement ( Not qualified yet )
Ruler Of Judgement ( Not qualified yet )
God Of Judgement ( Not qualified yet )
]
Max had learned to read and was wise enough to understand that the window he saw represented his potential. However, he had no concept of power, whether magical or martial. This confusion was compounded by a sudden, emotionless voice in his head.
"Judgment System is binding to the host," it declared. "Host is advised to wait patiently."
Startled by the voice in his head, Max tried to open his eyes, but his body wouldn't obey. He couldn't even scream – his mouth wouldn't move.
After what seemed like an eternity, the voice spoke again. "Judgment System bound completely. Host may ask questions after twenty-four hours. System currently unavailable."
With that, the status screen vanished, and Max regained control of his body. He slowly opened his eyes to see a worried Mary beside him. She was changing the cloth on his forehead when she noticed him awake.
"Max woke up! Max woke up!" she cried out.
William, who was sitting by Max's legs, rushed over with relief upon seeing his eyes open.
Michael, awakened by Mary's shout, also joined them.
The three surrounded Max. "Max, how are you feeling?" William asked.
Max, feeling weak, glanced at them and replied, "I'm alright, Grandpa, Mom, Uncle. Just weak and hungry."
Hearing this, Mary went to get him something to eat.
William examined Max again, confirming his fever was gone. He continued to inquire about Max's well-being.
Mary returned with two coarse breads on a plate. "We don't have any meat at home," she explained. "Eat this for now. Michael will hunt early tomorrow, and I'll make you a meat dish. It's too late to send him now."
Michael nodded in agreement, but Max insisted, "Don't worry, Mom. No need to trouble Uncle. I'll be fine." He was genuinely grateful and didn't want to burden them further.
"Don't worry about that," Mary replied. "It's settled. Eat first. Don't worry about unnecessary things."
Michael added, "Don't worry about me, brat. Take care of yourself."
Max was touched but couldn't express his gratitude further. He ate both breads.
Coarse bread was made by grinding wheat locally. An average adult typically eats two breads in a meal, while children usually have one.
Unusually hungry, Max devoured both breads. Mary asked, "Do you want more?"
Max quickly replied, "No, Mom. I'm full."
William then inquired, "Max, do you remember what happened? How did you faint?"
Max tried to recall the events. He remembered playing tag with other children and being the runner. He described reaching the far end of the playground and seeing an unconscious man.
"I called out to the others that there was a man there," he continued. "But suddenly, the man woke up and stared at me. I was scared and wanted to run, but my body wouldn't move. He started mumbling something and ran towards me."
Max recounted with fear, "I desperately wanted to run, but my body wouldn't listen. He reached right in front of me and, while mumbling, touched my forehead."
"I don't remember anything after that," he finished, "until I woke up..."
Max trailed off, and William asked with concern, "What happened? Are you alright?"
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"I'm fine, Grandpa," Max reassured him. "I was saying..."
He hesitated again, realizing he couldn't tell them about the Judgment System. He wasn't sure why, but he decided to ponder that question later, seeing the worry deepen on their faces.
With a flimsy excuse, he said, "I can't remember anything else."
William understood. "Don't strain yourself. You just woke up. If you remember anything later, just tell us."
Michael and Mary nodded in agreement. William continued, "It's almost one o'clock. Get some sleep and call us if you feel any discomfort."
Max nodded sleepily.
William then said to Michael and Mary, "Sleep at our place tonight. It's almost morning. I'll sleep with Max."
They agreed and left, saying they would come immediately if needed. William nodded.
Feeling drowsy, Max drifted off to sleep. Seeing Max asleep, William finally allowed himself to relax and joined him.
----------------------------------------
The next morning, Max woke up at eight to an empty room. A wave of fear washed over him as he remembered the events of yesterday. Then, he recalled the voice calling itself the Judgement System. He tried calling it again, but there was no answer. The voice had instructed him to wait twenty-four hours before asking questions, so Max decided not to worry for now.
He stepped outside to freshen up and saw William on the balcony. "Good morning, grandpa," Max greeted.
"Good morning, Max. How are you feeling?" William inquired.
"Much better now, grandpa. I'm just going to wash up," Max replied.
"Alright, go freshen up. Michael went hunting at six. He should be back any minute," William informed him.
Max felt a mix of gratitude and guilt at his grandfather's words. He quickly washed up.
On his way back, he saw Devon and Gwen. They spotted him too, and Gwen ran towards him, throwing her arms around him in a tearful hug. "How are you feeling? I was so worried yesterday... You wouldn't wake up for so long!" she cried.
Max felt awkward being hugged by a tearful ten-year-old. "I'm perfectly fine," he reassured her, patting her head. "There's nothing to worry about."
Gwen, who had grown up with Max since they were children, was the daughter of his neighbor, Uncle Paul.
Devon, Michael's son, also joined them, grumbling, "I told her you'd be fine, but she wouldn't listen. She kept crying hysterically."
Gwen glared at Devon, who simply ignored her.
Despite his complaints, Max could see the worry in his friend's eyes. "Don't worry, you two," he said. "I'm completely alright now."
"Who's worried about you?" Devon mumbled defensively.
Max just smiled in response.
At that moment, Mary appeared. "Max, how are you feeling now?" she asked.
"I'm good, Mom," Max replied.
Relief washed over Mary's face. "Okay, then wait a while. Michael just got back from hunting. I'll go start cooking."
She then turned to Devon and Gwen. "You both should have breakfast here. Michael hunted enough rabbits for everyone."
Devon simply nodded, while Gwen shyly replied, "Thank you, Aunty."
Mary went off to prepare breakfast, and the three of them joined William on the balcony.
"Welcome, children," William greeted them warmly.
He then teased Max playfully, "You should thank Devon. He came running here, crying that you were dead."
Devon turned beet red with embarrassment. While Max felt grateful, he didn't believe thanks were necessary, especially not between friends. He silently vowed to do the same for Devon if the situation ever arose.
The four of them settled into a comfortable conversation, catching up and sharing stories.
----------------------------------------
** Thirty minutes later **
Mary's voice called out, "Food's ready! Wash your hands before eating."
They all washed their hands and returned to the dining room, a room that wasn't quite a dining room in the traditional sense. There were no tables and chairs, a common theme in the village due to a lack of resources. It was simply called the dining room because William and Max ate their meals there.
Mary entered carrying a large pan of rabbit meat and plates. Michael joined them shortly after.
"Thank you, Uncle, for hunting so early," Max said gratefully.
Michael chuckled. "Just eat this and get healthy again, brat. No need for thanks."
Mary and William nodded in agreement. Michael took a seat with them, and Mary served everyone their food before joining them at the table.
After finishing their meal, Max asked permission to go play. William, with a hint of caution, agreed. "You just recovered today. Don't overdo it, alright?"
Max nodded and headed out with Devon and Gwen.
Once Max was gone, Mary headed to the kitchen to clean the dishes.
"What do you think?" Michael asked William. "I don't believe it's just a coincidence that Max fainted after that mysterious man touched his forehead."
"I agree," William replied thoughtfully. "It does seem a little too convenient."
He added, "But we can't do anything without knowing more about the man. Max doesn't remember much. I think we should keep an eye on him for a few days. If he faints again or shows any other strange symptoms, we'll take him straight to Pulkit."
Michael nodded in agreement. "Yes, hopefully it won't harm Max."
"Well, I should get back home and prepare for my evening classes," Michael said.
Michael continued, "Let me know if you need anything."
William nodded. "Sure. You should also get some rest. You didn't sleep much last night, and then you went hunting early this morning."
Michael acknowledged him with another nod and stood up. He walked to the kitchen to call Mary so they could leave. Mary had finished cleaning by then, and after saying goodbye to William, they both headed home.
William too returned to his own chores.
----------------------------------------
** Afternoon **
Max returned home from playing, exhausted not so much from playing itself, but from repeatedly assuring the concerned villagers about his well-being. He appreciated their worry, but answering the same question so many times had left him drained.
He spotted William in the visitor room with Uncle Paul.
Their house consisted of four rooms: a visitor room where William conducted his duties as village chief, meeting with villagers and holding evening classes; two bedrooms, one for Max and one for William; a kitchen; and a dining room.
It was the largest house in the entire village of Hebrew, not because William was the chief, but because he had been an adventurer in his younger days and had saved enough money to build a comfortable home.
Seeing William occupied, Max went to take a bath. When he emerged, he found Uncle Paul leaving the house.
"Good afternoon, Uncle," Max greeted politely.
Uncle Paul returned the greeting and, as expected, inquired about Max's health. Max gave him the same reassuring response, and after a brief conversation, Paul took his leave.
Max then approached William, who was writing something on a page. "Grandpa, what are you doing?" he asked curiously.
William looked up. "Ah, you're back and bathed. Good."
He explained, "I'm making a list of things we need to order. The merchants will be here tomorrow, and I have to give them the list."
"Then I'll let you get to it, Grandpa," Max said. "I'm going to take a short nap. Please wake me up before your classes."
William, who held evening classes for the village children for a couple of hours each day, replied, "Okay. Get some good sleep."
Max retreated to his room. Despite feeling relieved that he was alright, he couldn't quite shake off the experience. He tried calling the system again, but just like before, there was no answer. With a sigh, he decided to sleep, hoping for answers tomorrow.
----------------------------------------
** Two hours later **
William gently woke Max. "Wake up, Max," he said softly. "It's time for your class."
Max stirred and mumbled, "Okay, Grandpa. I'll go wash up and be right there."
"Alright, but hurry a bit. The other children have already started arriving," William reminded him.
Max nodded and went to freshen up. He returned to the visitor room and found all the other children, including Devon and Gwen, already seated.
Seeing Max back in his usual spot, William announced, "Children, yesterday we discussed the different races in our world. Today, I'll be teaching you about the various power systems that exist."
Just as expected, the children's eyes lit up with excitement.