That was unexpectedly informative. I couldn't really describe how it feels to read and discover things in my head, with matching and useless distortions in my field of view, so I won't. The T&C of the System turned out to not be a large pile of lawful gibberish and instead covered all kinds of interesting things.

For instance, I learned that any stats I would see would always be both a relative and linear value. Relative because a value of 100 is the estimated average of human males in my age bracket, and linear because a value of 200 is really twice as much as 100, whatever that may mean for the stat. This had a lot of consequences and caveats that were covered in excruciating details, that I may or may not have skipped over, but the core was simple enough.

It was quite worrying that I felt like I should have known at least some of this information, and that there should be more – minor things, such as how do I leave the Study and go back to Earth for instance. – but I could not find the answer to that particular question.

I grew increasingly worried as I read, until I found a short article concerning the "Unknown Context Modifier". Apparently, I picked it up, which really doesn't sound like me, and I can hardly think of why I would do that.

Obviously, I’m still growing increasingly worried. But in a more focused way.

Is now a good time to hyperventilate? I don’t hyperventilate, but I think I just never had a good opportunity for it.

Always better to try and stay calm I’d say.

What this modifier did is wipe my memory of a lot of important information I might have concerning my current conditions, with the objective of creating interesting data of human behavior in survival situations with restricted knowledge. It does bring some advantages in exchange though, in the form of a physical perk and a mental perk supposed to be very compatible with me, and it also guaranteed that I would spawn in a relatively favorable location.

The location is favorable so I’m sure taking the time to spend a few minutes panicking is perfectly fine.

Because what is more favorable than being alone in the middle of nowhere, with nothing? Right? I bet you can’t think of anything.

Maybe not being alone would be great? What about having some survival tools uh?

“Noooo that would be far too much of a hassle!”

And this damn system is not loaded yet. Stupid Knowledgeable and their shitty Study, this is not what I wanted!

I’m not sure how long I spent ranting and raving, can’t have been too long really. After all, the damn thing is still initializing!

I eventually return to my read. I went through information on a variety of topics, many of them unreasonably long because of lines concerning this or that exceptional case. They really don’t want loopholes laying around. Overall, I learned that the system would provide excellent tracking of my abilities and would help me to improve overtime, reaching capacities well beyond those of a regular human. This would happen through different mechanics, focused on traits and level ups that would slowly enhance my mind and body. The System would also provide some assistance to jump over hurdles caused by my upbringing on Earth, like wrapping my head around… Magic!

Generally speaking, reading this stuff improved my mood a little, the system is based on “traits” that seem to be rather powerful. It has other features that affect the way those traits act, but that aren’t covered in detail, I look forward to discovering those. Well, as soon as the damn thing deigns to work.

I’m still worried and angry about that unknown context deal though. I think I’ll manage even if I’ve forgotten some info, but I really don’t like the idea of missing time.

Finally, I make it to the last article of the terms and conditions of the system. This one is a bit gloomy.

It’s the one regarding death.

-

"Terms related to death and dying :

  Passing away due to natural aging

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

    Please note that in such an instance, your physical body on Earth has also ran its course. You may choose to embrace death, or volunteer for a rebirth within the S.T.U.D.Y., although this will happen at the system's discretion and may entail further conditions. At this point, returning to Earth is obviously not an option anymore.

    Death of your initial physical body may also happen before what would be expected of your avatar body, typically if your life expectancy improves for any reason within the S.T.U.D.Y.. In such an instance, you will be notified and may either choose to keep living in whatever your current situation is, or pass away and have your avatar be managed by the system.

  Passing away due to any other cause

    Please note that dying is expected to be a massively traumatic experience in any non natural instance, and should likely be avoided at all costs. Regardless of what happens next, you will not be the same.

    After a non natural death, you may volunteer for a rebirth within the S.T.U.D.Y. at the system's discretion, possibly entailing further or different conditions. You may also be reincarnated in a similar situation as your initial entry within the S.T.U.D.Y., however this has a price that the system has full freedom to take.

  Cases of loss of self

    Although rare, this describes any situation in which your sense of self is somehow definitely destroyed while your body remains living. This counts as a non natural death. See the articles on possessions for further details.

  Murder of another sentient being of the S.T.U.D.Y.

    There is no particular System-enforced penalty or advantage for such an act. As you are equipped with a System including experience and levels, regular experience rates apply if you terminate another sentient.

  Afterlife

    Some worlds within the S.T.U.D.Y. may include a complete afterlife experience. There is no correlation between this feature and the claims of any religion found within the world in question. In spite of your avatar body being dead, entering the afterlife will not count as death in the terms described above, with the possible exception of natural death. As afterlives can be quite different to your initial experience in the S.T.U.D.Y., you will be notified of any change or addition to the present terms upon entry. This notification will be affected by the Unknown Context Modifier that you have accepted.

    Please note that the existence of an afterlife usually does not make the experience of dying any less traumatic and that there is no guarantee that the afterlife will be pleasant. "

-

Definitely ominous, and worryingly vague.

Although it sounds like dying is only permanent if I wish it to be so, there’s no escaping the trauma. Which actually might make it worse in some cases? And there’s also the lines about extra conditions and prices.

I wonder if everybody has the same conditions here, this stuff must be downright blasphemous for most religions.

Well I’m not a believer, the study sounds better than the oblivion of death.

In fact, this doesn’t bother me quite as much as whatever happened between me and Alexander to make me accept the unknown context modifier. I don’t like walking into situations where I’m missing pieces. Hell, the initial idea of waiting a year was to hear some first hand testimonies from people leaving the Study! Even though I kind of made up my mind that I would probably go in regardless along the way...

Doing this to me is really a blow below the belt.

Wait, could it be... Did they do it on purpose to see how I would react when unable to prepare properly?

I bet they did.

Damn it. Well I’ll show them.

…

Can’t I remember my lost time at all?

I remember matching to my ID, I remember most of that long personality evaluation, and then Alexander came back and started talking about picking a world. Then nothing. No transition, and I woke up out here.

Before that… Hmm, even walking in the evaluation center feels a bit off… Wait.

I don’t even remember going from my house to there, I woke up this morning feeling pumped up, I ignored the mess in my apartment as I left and…

Wasn’t my apartment particularly messy?

Did I do anything special last night? I’m missing large parts of the evening.

I must have been getting ready for today right? Last minute reads on… I don’ t know, maybe survival tips or useful knowledge? I don’t remember more than the broad strokes of what kind of world I wanted.

Well, with this kind of scenery, definitely a fantasy world.

Sounds like me alright.

I look around with some worry ; there are always aggressive goblins or slimes or giant rats in fantasy worlds.

I think the less worrisome of the lot would be the goblins. Slimes are typically depicted as weak monsters but I’ve always though they actually should be rather strong. Shrugging off any kinetic damage and absorbing body parts in acidic ooze, and being able to squeeze inside safe spaces through tiny holes...

Before I can pursue the thought, finally it happens.

The initialization is over and my status windows pops up.