George sat in a library deep between a mountain of books. All listing and detailing classes that this world knew of. Many he recognized and had an idea what they did based on the name alone.
These classes included but not limited to;
[Alchemist]
[Assassin]
[Barbarian]
[Builder]
[Builder]
[Cleric]
[Druid]
[Glasser]
[Illusionist]
[Immortal]
[Knight]
[Monster Squire]
[Noble]
[Psychic]
[Runelord]
[Scarred One]
[Smoker]
[Thief]
[Warrior]
[Wizard]
While the old priest, whose name turned out to be Bean, waited patiently nearby with a cup of tea. Whenever George had a question they would answer.
But back to the classes. To George most of these classes were part of the standard fantasy fare. Yet he was only interested in two. The [Immortal] and the [Psychic]. The former because the notes on it read “No harm whatsoever suffered from conflicts, no known special abilities, does not stop aging, however the class holder has disappeared” . While the latter had so many implications.
George looked up from his book, turned the book to Bean, and pointed to the [Immortal] class.
“Any more info you can give on this? Particularly how he obtained it?” He asked.
The old man chuckled then cleared his throat. “Not really, that class is one of the very few that has such little detail. Although the man who held the class claimed he was immortal. I personally believe their class ability allowed him to heal very rapidly or simply not at all. With the trade off of no class combat capabilities. He was a courier by trade, a perfect one at that, never failing a delivery. A bit unhinged and had a strange dressing style. That’s about it. As for complete immortality in the truest sense of the word. I have never heard of a class granting such a thing. ’’
“I see. As for Psychic, how does the power work? Is mental visualization, touch. . . will alone?” George asked expectantly.
“The psychic class and its variants is an interesting one.” Old Bean replied as he scratched his chin. “It does all of the three things you mentioned. It’s a very versatile class that does a lot of things well except for healing wounds and direct physical combat.”
George's heart quickened as he listened. And before Old Bean could continue he cut him off.
“Telekinesis and mind-control then? Moving objects and controlling other people with thought alone?”
If Bean was annoyed they didn’t show it. “Indeed. Though such abilities are only obtained at a high level. Even then the battle of wills is a taxing thing to do. Vital in a fight where each moment is crucial. But long term mind control is draining, impractical, and illegal.” The old man stated the end with a raised eyebrow.
George snorted. “Obviously. At least I would hope so. Anyways I ask due to the mind-body probl-”
Bean cut him off. “Ah! A thinker of your world, yes? Descarte. Previous otherworlders, though few, have brought up such concerns. It’s another way of asking how we create energy such as fire via magic. Or how is magic possible?”
George nodded and gestured for the priest to continue.
The priest smiled. “The system. Of course you may ask ‘What is the system?’ And that is where things remain unanswered such as in your world. No one knows. They’re many theories, theological and philosophical debates about its true nature. Is it the universe’s will manifested? A technology some great being bestowed upon us that we simply fail to comprehend? Or is it proof of God?”
The priest raised his hands towards the ceiling and gave a smile as they spoke the last sentence.
All of this however gave no comfort to George. Disappointment began to mount and a sense of listlessness creeped in. While the priest continued.
“I believe the system is the true God. While the other deities such as the god of sun, goddess of the moon, the god of thieves and so on. Are simply facilitators of the system.”
Taking a deep breath, George asked. “Are you saying everyone's consciousness is part of the system, if not a result of it, and that our bodies and system or mind are separate? Otherwise how would a psychic's mental abilities work if two conscious entities weren’t able to connect?”
The priest took a sip of tea. “In this world your mind-body problem is not a problem in the way otherworlders view it. For us the problem is not how or why the interaction between the mind and body happens, as this answer is found within the system, but rather what to do with the entities. The system or God is the interface, and by virtue of classes such as the Psychic it is apparent that the mind can affect the body extremely through this interface. On the other hand let’s take for example the scenario where I were to cast polymorph on you and turn you into a bear. You will still have your mental faculties however due to your new body your mind will receive new information. Heightened sense of smell, taste, and so on.”
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George listened intently while Bean explained. He noticed the old man began to grow excited and was leaning forward in his lecture, he couldn’t stop himself from smiling. This conversation reminded him of his time spent with his pops.
“Now consider another angle. What if I casted polymorph, paralyze, levitate, and paralyze on you. Thus rendering you unable to have the faintest clue to ascertain what I transformed you into. I bet all the money in my pocket against all the money in your pockets. That you will still receive the appropriate physical sensations of whatever thing I polymorphed you into, regardless of what your mind believes. This shows that the body can affect the mind or rather the sense faculties of the mind. With such an intimate relationship does it matter whether they’re separate entities? If ultimately they hold sway over the other.”
Bean held up their left hand. “So the choice and why I say those of this world consider the problem is ‘what to do’ instead of ‘how’ or why’, if you get offered a variety of classes, is whether you want your physical form to be the primary focus or your mind. By this I mean if you were to take a class such as the Warrior, Barbarian, and so on. Know that while the system will aid you by giving you combat techniques and physical skills such as iron body, rage, etc. It will not offer any mind skills. You will have no help from the system to aid yourself from fear, coercion and so on. You’re given the physical gifts but it will be up to you to mentally take the warriors mantle. Despite this however those who took the warrior class were considered cowards, or even believed themselves to be. Have proven time and time again to change their tendencies. They become warriors braving fear and death itself to protect their comrades. Is this a case of the mind following the body?”
They held up their right hand and continued as George contemplated. “But with classes such as psychic, wizard, sorcerer, the skills are flipped. You will be given the tools to cast your magic or enable you to enforce your will upon the world. But your physical capabilities will be lacking. Now is this a case of the body following the mind?”
Bean clapped his hands together. “Now they’re some classes that are hybrid such as the Scarred One. However these types of classes tend to influence the holders to become something else. Holders of the Scarred One class tend to relish pain and the thrill of combat. Is this a case of the system changing the holder or simply enabling something that was already there within?”
Bean separated their hands once more to grab their cup of tea and take a sip. While George sat in quiet contemplation.
Ultimately Bean was saying the system of this world is the reality of which everyone interacts with. It is the nexus in which conscious entities can influence each other without physical interaction. This darkened George's mood as this potentially meant that his mind is subject to the rules of the system. But damn it he was still going to try and bend the rules.
“Thank you Bean, I understand. May I have some time to myself?” George asked quietly.
Bean nodded his head. “Of course, I will have priestess Inira stop by with some food soon and show you to your quarters. I will see you tomorrow if anything.”
“Thank you.” George said as he leaned back into his chair.
Alone in the library he reached out towards the ceiling.
“System.” He whispered. The blue interface popped up and everything except the exp was the same.
George Thatcher
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CLASS LVL T.B.D 0 EXP NEXT 90 100
HEALTH
10 SPECIAL POINTS 10 STRENGTH 10 VITALITY 10 SKILL 10 AGILITY 10 WILL 10 CHARISMA 10 LUCK 10
Lectures give exp? Huh. Interesting. In a world with a system that enables for fantasy abilities. Lvl 10 is when I’m supposed to get my first class. If playing it safe it will take me almost two years. Too long.
Does my previous life experience count for nothing?
As soon as he finished those thoughts another blue interface popped up.
Take into account previous life experience?
Warning: Once experience has been taken into account. Potential classes may be restricted or expanded. Furthermore various titles may also be restricted, locked off, and rewarded.
George stared at it for a few seconds. A smirk slowly formed on his face but it quickly turned into a frown as he began to recall the things he did in his life. Teacher, delivery man, package handler, truck driver, and sold weed in high school. None of these things really would be useful in this type of world. At least he wasn’t willing to bet on it.
He dismissed the window and stared focused on his right hand. The system is the interface that serves as a nexus for the mind to interact with the world. Turning his palm to face him he imagined a ball of fire sitting right there in his palms.
To his surprise another system interface popped up.
Class/Classes Needed: [Firebender] [Wizard] [Pyromancer] [Sorcerer]
Resource Needed: Ki, Mana
He glared at the blue screen. You understood my intention but refused due to what? Rules determined by whom? You know what I really think? You’re not really an interface. You’re a limiter. A powerful spell or some type of massive psychic ability that tricks the inhabitants of this world to never push the limits. And why would they or previous otherworlders question this? We get to tap into fantastical abilities that we only got to dream of.
What if I refuse? This is my body and mind in this world. If I want fire in my to appear in my hand let there be FIRE!
Warning!
Warning!
War-
“Fuck your warning!” George yelled and fire appeared in his hand. Immediately following that was pain.