“Who would have thought having access to a system would involve so much reading?” I muttered with a small chuckle as I looked to the next screen that popped up before me in the shower, the water still running down my back with a nice cool, but not chilly, feel to it as it ran down my battered body.

Due to the successful undertaking of a High rank quest in the absence of responsibility, and your determination to complete said quest, your trial period has ended earlier than normal for most users, and you have been accepted by the System. The Ring Master system accepts you, Ardika Ekia and your extended existence, as its host for the foreseeable future. Some changes to system functionality have been altered due to this, to promote higher growth in abilities. Would you like me to outline these alterations for you, Ardika?

“Me and my ‘extended existence’ is accepted… Host… Trial period? What trial period?! There was a trial period? And I passed?” I asked the air, a little miffed at the sudden information drop. It sounded like there was a trial period, despite me not knowing, and during this the system was supposed to see if it accepted me or not as its host? Honestly… I had thought I already was. Permanently its host, that is. It dug into my soul, and brought me back to life in another universe… As a trial period? I sighed. I was getting ahead of myself, and honestly I should have expected something like this. I don't know anything about anything.

All I understand is I know nothing, though I don't doubt that I will go assuming things in the future… I read that's the nature of sentience. That we see the world in a neat little frame of our own creation, to make us think we understand what we really can't even imagine.

But philosophy aside, what I can understand a little is that the system said that it is going to change some things for me… And I don't like the sound of that.

“Let's see what this is about then… Yes, could you give me the details?” I asked the system screen hesitantly, making it blink to its blank state before writing started to fill the screen as it responded to me.

There has been four major changes to system functionality.

Firstly, the requirements of the acquisition of Skills and Passive Abilities has been heightened by an order of magnitude. This makes more effort needed to gain Skills and Passive Abilities than previously.

Secondly, requirements to initiate leveling of Skills and Passive abilities have been heightened by an order of magnitude. This makes more effort needed to progress in Skills and Passive Abilities in either the aspect of execution, or theoretical knowledge.

Thirdly, the prices of items in the System Store have been increased by a factor of 3. This was due to the unexpected amount of Ring Gold you currently have and the speed at which you have been making Ring Gold through numerous ways.

Fourthly, the gain of Ring Gold for items made has lowered significantly for items below or at the average grade you are capable of constructing, unless said item is significantly different in design then has been produced before. This also divides item’s made into categories to track average quality for items constructed.

All in all, these changes should push for more growth over time for you and your extended existence and allow higher growth than previously projected before these changes.

Do you have any questions, Ardika?

I took a minute reading everything over, feeling myself deflate and wince at everything. ‘This… is a major change. Four of them. I suppose that it isn’t that bad to not gain a new Passive Ability for everything I spend time doing, but the levels… The levels really helped me use the information, knowledge and instincts and gain more of it over time. But this change makes it seem like it wants me to actively work out how to do things better, using the information and skill to build what I have before giving me the level up. You know, I didn't really think about the way leveling up actually did stuff before… But ok, I can see why it changed. It forces me to learn and work stuff out instead of just practicing on using what the system gives me.’ I thought to myself with a mild sense of revelation, looking back at my memories leveling up and using my Passives and Skills with some surprise at the realization.

‘And the Store becoming more expensive… Well I suppose I always knew that the prices were a little too good to be true. And now that I think about it, I haven't used the system store, or even checked my balance for a long time. I always had what I needed, and the amount of material wasn't really an issue with my duplication ring.’ I mused. ‘That doesn't mean that it doesn't suck though. Inflation always does.’ I then thought with a little bitterness. ‘Who knows how much I could have gotten if I had gone shopping before this? …Though I do have infinite money because I can make gold, or literally any other material, don't I? …And I can take the money I make from the gold and convert that into RG through the system…’ I suddenly stilled a little at the implication of the thought. I had probably had this same thought before, but only in passing.

‘How did I forget I have an infinite money glitch?’ I wondered with a little laugh that turned into a painful cough, returning me to the present as I looked at the screen in front of me.

“Hey system… Will you take it personally if I make large amounts of material with the Ring of Creation, sell them and convert the money I make in large quantities into Ring Gold and use that on the System Store?” I decided to just ask, feeling a bit of guilt. It would feel just a little wrong to game the system like this. Yeah, I was never good with stealing or cheating. I always just felt so guilty after. Some things don’t change.

I recommend that you do not do that. You would cause several problems within the market in the long term using that method and likely be put under observation by mortal organizations if you were found to do this repeatedly. Alongside this, major amounts of money being converted would induce an exponential increase in the exchange rate from money to Ring Gold conversion as the transaction is taking place, with permanent impacts on the exchange rate. Small amounts of money on a regular basis would be the most beneficial, maintaining the current favorable exchange rate. Though it could be to your benefit to open a bank account and save mortal money for mortal transactions such as housing, meals, factory made convenience products and more.

“Ok…” I said with a small nod, though the small flash of pain that came with it annoyed me again. ‘I can see that. The market could be an issue, and large amounts of rare materials appearing out of thin air would definitely be suspicious. Hell, they would probably think I was a thief or something. And the exchange rates increasing… Well that's fair I suppose. Having thousands of Ring Gold isn't all that necessary in the first place, though I could use some of the better materials… Though, the bank account and saving mortal money is honestly good advice. I probably would need to do it sometime anyways. Though it's not strictly necessary for now when I only have small cash after my most recent small sale to a pawn shop and no need for large amounts of money… I suppose it could be better to start earning? I could sell the rings and things I make in blacksmithing practice for a good price.’ I thought, taking the system's words seriously.

Then the screen shifted and another message read out.

It is also recommended that you buy a supply of Ambrosia and Nectar in the System Store as soon as possible and consume some as soon as possible to avoid complications due to injuries within upcoming social interactions and physical activity.

Now that caused me to pause, and I felt the urge to smack myself in the head though I resisted. “I cannot believe that I didn’t think of that sooner.” I groaned out, realizing that I had been in pain longer than I should have been for no reason. ‘This happened to me the first time I got hurt as well! I nearly forgot. My Perfect Recollection really only pulls its weight when I try to remember something, doesn't it? It doesn't help me remember what I needed to remember when I don't remember that I needed to remember it...’

“Speaking of the System Store, what is my balance anyways? System, could you open the System Store?” I asked quickly in a whisper against the sound of water running down my body in the shower.

System Store

Ring Gold: 485

Ring Templates

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Fire Hearts

Materials

Currency Conversion

Necessities

“Four hundred eighty five?!” I whispered, raising my eyebrows and opening my mouth in surprise. Until I nearly choked on water that ran down my face and into my mouth while I was breathing in and I started coughing hard, leaning against the shower wall. ‘This is enough for almost anything in the system… At least before the price increase?’ I realized with a small start, feeling disappointed. ‘Man, I could have gotten a whole lot of stuff before the price increase if I had thought to check.’ I thought with disappointment at myself. That seems to happen a lot nowadays.

‘Anyways! Moving on.’ I opened the Necessities tab quickly and navigated to the Ambrosia and Nectar options.

‘The price is now… one hundred and eighty for a single purchase of either. When it used to be sixty. Good news is I can still afford it quite easily?’ I thought to myself, wincing a little. ‘Now… Ambrosia or Nectar? I believe I got Ambrosia last time, so let's try Nectar. I don't remember if there was an actual difference besides what it looked like and its form, so it shouldn't matter.’ I decided, then purchasing the Nectar and leaving me with a balance of 305 RG.

On a whim, I reached out my hand like I was grabbing a bottle. It would be so cool if this worked… And a bottle appeared in thin air in my hand! It was in a plastic pop bottle shape, and it was rather large. ‘This is eight hundred milliliters?’ I wondered, looking at it. It was about the size of two and a half cans, so just a bit larger than a vending machine type bottle. And it was full to the top with a soft gold drink. “This is a lot more than I got for Ambrosia… That thing was granola bar sized. And this is a full waterbottle’s worth. What's this about? Ambrosia is worth more per purchase because of the amount...” I wondered, looking at it and holding it firmly to prevent it from sliding out of my wet hands and falling to the shower floor.

Then I grabbed the cap of the bottle and twisted it open, stepping to the side of the shower head and the water coming from it. I then lifted it to my mouth and gave it a taste, swirling it around in my mouth before I swallowed with a smile. It tasted like hot chocolate… Which brings me back to going ice skating with my mom and dad when I was younger, and my friends… My smile cracked a little, the feeling of nostalgia and loss starting to crash down. Then I straightened, ignoring it and pushing it out of the way. ‘Don't think about that. There is no point.’ I thought to myself with a little annoyance as I did that, taking another sip.

I felt the pain in my body start to ease, and I looked down to see the small scrapes and cuts that I had all over my body start to heal. Though interestingly, it was much slower then I remembered Ambrosia being. Though it did ease my body a little more than it did, and I was feeling much less feverish drinking it then eating the Ambrosia back then. I sat down on the edge of the shower, watching everything heal and my body returning to normal. By the time I had finished the bottle a two minutes or so later, I was feeling perfectly fine.

“Is the difference between Ambrosia and Nectar the concentration of whatever does the healing inside of it? It seems like Nectar might be slower to heal and need more for the same amount… Though maybe it's less localized and more of a widespread healing as well?” I wondered, comparing the two experiences I had by running through the experiences I had with them. “It's as good a theory as any.” I decided, looking down at the empty bottle in my hand. But it wasn't there. I looked around for a moment, and it didn't fall either. It was just gone. Weird.

“Ok… Lets get a move on. I still have a full day ahead of me, and no school!” I said to myself, getting to my feet and bouncing a little with energy now that I was fully healed up. I turned off the shower, and stepped out, putting on my clean set of clothes over my now blood and wound free skin and clean body. It felt good to finally be this fresh and clean.

I left the bathroom me and Percy shared, and instantly I realized I had forgotten another thing. My blankets, sheets and pillow… had dried blood all over them. My white ones. I let out a groan, grabbing it up into a ball quickly, looking at Percy to be sure he wasn't awake yet. Thankfully he wasn’t, so I ran into the bathroom again to try to wash out the worst of the blood. It didn't work.

----------------------------------------

Ten minutes later, I gave up with it and just brought it into the Soul Forge to burn it in my forge before coming back to Percy’s and my room and collapsing on my now bare bed. I would need to ask for more blankets and sheets and a pillow from the school… But not right now. Now, I could take a day off and do some light reading.

I opened up my status page, noticing that it has grown quite large before doing anything else, just admiring it.

Statistics

Passive Abilities

Skills

Active Quests

Name: Ardika Ekia/Volcronic

Physical age: 12 years old

Birthdate: August 12

Gender: Male

Race: Human/God hybrid

Adaptation

Adaptive System

Perfect Recollection

Ring Maker Lv10

Speed Reading Lv4

Builder Lv4

Architect Lv1

Blacksmithing Lv1

Dagger Skills Lv12

Deflection Lv5

Evasion Lv5

Tracking Lv4

Stealth Lv5

Throwing Skills Lv3

The Long Game Lv1

Spirit Sense Lv 0.1 (UNIQUE)

Appraisal

Soul Forge Lv1

Hunters Sense Lv1

(No active quests)

This is the work of months of work and progress… Though there are a lot of Passives that are severely underleveled, and I haven't leveled up any of my Skills even once.

My eyes focused on the Spirit Sense Passive, and I couldn't help but think about the whole situation last night that led to its creation.

“Last night… I went through a whole quest, that turned into the highest graded difficulty of a quest I had ever done, I gained a Passive which is a UNIQUE, my first Skill that I earned instead of just being given like with the Soul Forge, gaining several levels, ending the trial period to the system and getting a hundred RG…” I mused, thinking about all the rewards that I had gotten, then my expression turned to one of deep seated confusion and worry.

“So why can't I remember doing it?” I thought, thinking back desperately and only seeing flashes of memory, dark hallways and faces, both human and monster, in dimly lit rooms. I remember following two monsters… Then I think I saw them meeting up with a bunch more? And then… I left, and then came back so I could find something… No, some people. I had to save some people before I could complete the quest… And I killed some, running through some kind of hallway… I found the people, and then I led them out… Then we were ambushed? I think the people escaped… But I can't remember anything after. Flashes of me fighting monsters? I must have killed them but it was all a puddle of confusion in my mind… maybe I saw the people again after I succeeded in killing all the monsters? I seem to remember that I saw them… With guns? What was that about?

It was then that I heard a knock on my dorm room door, and I sat up, looking at the door with a huge amount of confusion. “Who on earth would be knocking at our door this early?” I wondered as I walked to the door, putting my hand on the handle.

I swung open the door and I looked out into the hallway, immediately seeing a tall man standing there and looking down at me with bags under his eyes. I recognized his face, he was one of the people I saved last night I think? And he was wearing… He was wearing a military-esc uniform, with a logo that I didn't recognize. It was circular, and it looked a bit like a cross between an eye with the earth as a pupil and a compass. With words around it inside another circle that read ‘The United Meta Bureau of Research and Advancement.’

The man looked big too, athletic and strong like a soldier, with brown hair turning gray almost white in places and a kind lined face and blue-gray eyes. I took a step back at the surprise of seeing the man standing there. He took a step back in turn, looking down at me with a professional look on his face.

“Ardika. Hello again.” He greeted me by name. That made me pause. “Hello. Who are you?” I asked hesitantly, and confused. I only remembered this man's face from last night, and a few others. No names, or anything else really. The man however didn't seem offended by that and gave a small smile, raising his hand for a handshake. “I am David. David Prince. I am here from the organization that I work for, the United Meta Bureau of Research and Advancement. But you can call us UMBRA.” He introduced himself, and I took his hand and gave him a shake.

“We have a car waiting for you, if you would come with us?” He then asked me, returning to business. I blinked in surprise at that, a little frozen in surprise though I tried to stay cool on the surface.

‘They know my name… They have a car waiting to pick me up… Why does some shady organization want me to come with them?! Just what the heck happened last night!?’ I panicked inside, while on the outside I tried to remain calm to answer him. “Uh… Sure. Just give me a minute to get ready?” I asked, and he nodded while letting me shut the door.