The room, bathed in the faint glow of the altar, seemed to hold its breath as Mira stood frozen, her name still echoing faintly against the stone walls. The voice, powerful yet oddly familiar, resonated in her chest, pulling her gaze toward one of the statues that lined the room. From the shadows stepped a figure—elegant and serene, with an aura that seemed to blur the lines between reality and myth.
It was Lyra.
“Lyra?” Mira’s voice trembled slightly, more from confusion than fear.
Lyra smiled warmly, her expression a mix of mischief and sincerity. “Surprised, dear?”
“What… what are you doing here?” Mira stammered, taking a hesitant step back.
Lyra chuckled, her voice soft but carrying an undeniable authority. “I have a gift for you, Mira.” She took a step closer, her presence filling the room. “I know of your talent for mana, your insatiable curiosity, and that deep, hidden wanderlust you try so hard to suppress. You yearn for knowledge and freedom, don’t you?”
Mira blinked, caught off guard by how precisely Lyra had read her. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, though the heat rising to her cheeks betrayed her.
Lyra waved off the protest, her gaze piercing. “Don’t play coy with me. I see the longing in you—the need to break free from these chains your society has placed on you. That’s why I pulled some strings, called in a few favors, to give you a class that will suit you perfectly. Though,” she added, her tone taking a cautionary edge, “I should warn you. Your system will adjust the class if it deems it unsuitable. It may tinker with it, or even change it entirely.”
Mira’s heart raced. A class tailored to her? It sounded too good to be true. But the implications were terrifying. “Why?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why would you do this for me? You know what could happen if I choose this class. The consequences…”
Lyra’s smile softened, and she reached out to gently tilt Mira’s chin up, forcing their eyes to meet. “You don’t need to worry about the consequences. Leave that to me. I will handle anything that comes your way. Just choose the class that resonates with your soul, Mira. That’s all I ask.”
Mira swallowed hard, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. “But why? Why me?”
Lyra’s smile widened, a spark of playfulness returning to her expression. “Because I like you. You’re interesting, and I find your defiance of convention… refreshing. You’re a puzzle I enjoy solving, Mira. And you’re not the only one. I visit others, too—those who yearn for freedom as deeply as you do. You’re not alone in this.”
For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of Lyra’s words sinking in. Mira felt a flicker of hope, mingled with a fear she couldn’t quite place.
“Now,” Lyra said, stepping back and gesturing toward the altar, “it’s time. Go on, Mira. Awaken your system.”
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Mira hesitated, her gaze shifting between Lyra and the glowing altar. Taking a deep breath, she approached the altar, her hand trembling slightly as she reached out to touch it.
The moment her fingers made contact, a burst of light filled the room, blinding and all-encompassing. Mira felt a surge of energy flood her body, a sensation that was both exhilarating and overwhelming. When the light dimmed, she found herself staring at a screen floating in the air before her.
The screen was ornately decorated, its design seeming to reflect her essence. Shades of ocean green and silver swirled together, forming intricate patterns that were as mesmerizing as they were beautiful.
Words appeared on the screen, their letters glowing softly.
---
Welcome, Mira. Your system has been awakened. Would you like to see your status?
---
Mira blinked at the message, her heart pounding. Slowly, she whispered, “Yes.”
The screen shifted, displaying her status in precise detail.
---
Status: Mira (Otherworlder)
Name: Mira
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Age: 14
Class: locked
---
[Title Skill: Appraisal] – Lvl. 1
---
General Skills:
Tier 1 Skills
[Memory Retention] – Lvl. 12
[Time Management] – Lvl. 9
[Negotiation] – Lvl. 19
[Focus] – Lvl. 17
[Mana Sense] – Lvl. 9
[Mana Manipulation] – Lvl. 2
[Telekinesis] – Lvl. 4
---
Tier 2 Skills
[Cleaning] – Lvl. 19
[Information Gathering & Research] – Lvl. 5
[Analytical Thinking] – Lvl. 5
[Critical Thinking] – Lvl. 4
[Problem-Solving & Tactical Thinking] – Lvl. 5
[Language Comprehension & Social Perception] – Lvl. 4
[Adaptability & Learning Agility] – Lvl. 5
[Attention to Detail & Observation] – Lvl. 5
[Stress Management & Resilience] – Lvl. 5
---
Tier 3 Skills
[Cooking] – Lvl. 4
---
Stats:
[Available Stat Points: 0]
Vitality: 10 (+4)
Strength: 8
Endurance: 10
Wisdom: 18 (+2)
Agility: 9
Intelligence: 16 (+4)
Luck: 10 (+10)
---
Mira stared at the screen, her mind racing as she took in the information.
Lyra stepped forward, her eyes scanning the status with interest. “Well, well,” she said, a hint of amusement in her voice. “It seems you’ve been gifted a rather impressive foundation. That title skill, Appraisal… It’s like the Identify skill everyone gets, but it’s been integrated and enhanced. A rare occurrence.”
Mira’s brow furrowed. “Integrated? Enhanced?”
Lyra nodded. “Yes. [Appraisal] is essentially Identify, but it’s been merged with another skill or spell, making it far more versatile and powerful. And look at your skills! So many Tier 2 abilities, and even a Tier 3. That’s quite remarkable for someone your age.”
“Tier?” Mira asked, still trying to process everything.
Lyra smiled. “The Tier represents your level of mastery over a skill. Tier 1 is beginner level, Tier 2 is intermediate, and Tier 3 is mastery. To have so many Tier 2 skills, and even a Tier 3, at your age is… extraordinary.”
Mira’s cheeks flushed at the praise, though she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. “Why don’t you check out the explanations for your title and skills?” Lyra suggested, her tone encouraging.
Mira hesitated before nodding. “Alright. Let’s start with the title.”
As she focused on the [Title Skill: Appraisal], a new screen appeared, detailing its properties.
---
[Title Skill: Appraisal] – Lvl. 1
A skill that allows the user to analyze and comprehend objects, individuals, and phenomena with unparalleled clarity. Capable of uncovering hidden details and deeper insights beyond standard observation.
---
Lyra whistled softly. “That’s going to be incredibly useful, especially for someone like you.”
Mira’s eyes drifted back to her general skills, curiosity beginning to replace her apprehension. There was so much to explore, so much to learn.
As Lyra stood by, watching Mira delve into her newfound abilities, a smile played on her lips. “Happy birthday, Mira,” she said softly. “This is only the beginning.”
And as Mira continued to explore her status, a flicker of excitement sparked within her—a glimmer of hope in a future she hadn’t dared to imagine.