Robert emerged from his office, the worn carpet cushioning his steps. He spotted Sara at the kitchen table, a half-eaten sandwich in her hand. "Whatcha got there?" he inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.
"Just a ham sandwich," Sara replied, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Want one?"
"Sure, why not?" Robert grinned. "Make it quick, though. I'm starving."
Sara chuckled and stood up. "So, what did you learn in there? Any breakthroughs?" she asked, her gaze playful.
Robert's eyes sparkled. "Oh, you bet! I've learned a few spells. Your husband is a mighty wizard now!" he declared, striking a dramatic pose.
Sara rolled her eyes, a smile playing on her lips. "Of course you have," she muttered, returning to the kitchen.
After devouring my sandwich, I leaned back and began to share my newfound knowledge. "The system is quite intriguing, and its age is evident. It even caters to children," Robert observed.
"How so?" Sara inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"It segregates access based on age. Very young children are granted minimal information, limited to their name, age, and race. As they grow older, the system progressively reveals more details, but still restricts their ability to modify their profile and acquire new skills until they reach the age of fifteen," Robert recounted from memory.
"Fifteen doesn't strike me as old enough for such significant responsibility," Sara remarked thoughtfully.
"Perhaps not, but I suppose they're considered mature enough to begin shaping their own future," Robert replied, acknowledging the system's rationale.
“I guess,” Sara replied, a playful smirk spreading across her face. “So, you’re a wizard now, huh? Harry Potter would be proud.”
“Laugh it up,” Robert chuckled. “No wand required.”
“So, what kind of magic did you get?” Sara asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Just a few spells, some for offense, some for defense, and a few for healing,” Robert said, glancing at his spell sheet.
“Here, take a look,” Robert offered, sharing his System Spell List.
“Those are interesting. Hey, let’s try one out. Here, heal this,” Sara said, pointing to the small cut on her leg from her morning shave.
“Sure,” Robert replied, beginning to concentrate on casting his first spell.
A soft white light emanated from Robert’s right hand as he touched Sara’s leg. The light spread rapidly, covering the cut and vanishing it within seconds. Her leg looked as good as new.
Robert ran his hand over her leg a few times, marveling. “Best leg I’ve touched in a while.”
“Better be the only leg you’ve touched in a very long while, mister,” Sara teased with a smile.
A moment of silence passed as the gravity of the situation settled in. "So it's real then," Sara said, her voice filled with a mix of awe and concern. "The system is real, and you've got actual magic powers."
"Yeah, I guess it is," Robert replied, still processing the newfound reality.
"What are we going to do, Robert? Six months isn't a lot of time," Sara asked, her worry evident.
"We'll figure something out," Robert assured her. "I wonder if I could use my healing abilities discreetly, maybe earn some extra money for you and the kids."
Sara forced a smile. "Not sure healing scratches would be in high demand."
Robert pondered the possibilities. "Well, this is just Tier 1. Imagine what a Tier 4 healing spell could do."
“Will you be able to bring back the dead?” Sara asked, her voice filled with wonder.
“I’m not sure,” Robert replied, his voice hesitant. “And I’m not sure I want that kind of power.”
“So, how do you want to break this to the kids?” Sara asked, her voice filled with concern.
“I think we should sit them down together and tell them everything we know,” Robert suggested. “Show them the proof and see how they react. I don’t think we should sugarcoat it.”
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“I trust your judgment,” Sara reassured him. “That will probably work out fine.”
"So, when do you plan to dive into that dungeon and start your training?" Sara asked.
"Two days from now," Robert answered. "That'll give me enough time to practice these spells, gather a few essential items, and probably learn a few more, like a spell to create light."
"Yeah, moving around in the dark doesn't sound ideal," Sara agreed. "And relying on flashlights for an extended period isn't practical. Which begs the question, how long do you estimate your first run will take?"
"Not sure exactly," Robert replied thoughtfully. "But from what I've gathered, it shouldn't take too long. It's not a massive level, and the enemies seem fairly straightforward. I'm guessing a few hours. Plus, I want to check out the system shop to see what kind of gear I can get."
"Take some paper with you and take notes on that shop," Sara suggested. "I'm guessing that's where you'll get most of your gear. Not sure where you can buy armor these days."
"That's true," Robert agreed. "And I'll get rewards from the dungeon and loot drops from monsters. That personal inventory is going to be a lifesaver."
"Make sure you bring something back for the kids to see," Sara said excitedly. "They'll be curious about it all. It might take them a while to understand the dangers, but they'll be fascinated by the idea of loot and adventure."
"Sure, if it's a rat, I'll bring them a tail," Robert joked with a grin.
"Please, no," Sara replied, her tone firm. "I was thinking more along the lines of taking pictures and videos on your phone so they can see what it's like."
"Sure, if it works," Robert said, a distant look in his eyes. "I forgot to ask if I can bring technology with me."
"I'm guessing it will, considering the whole system is run by an AI. That's about as high-tech as it gets," Sara replied.
"You know, that's right," Robert mused. "With everything being run by what amounts to a supercomputer, technology must be a thing. I wonder what I can take with me when I leave."
"I'm guessing you'll only be able to take things that really don't matter," Sara said, a sad look crossing her face.
Robert noticed her sadness. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't sound so excited. I don't want to go. But if I have no choice, I want to make the most of it. I want to ensure a great future for you and the kids."
"I understand how you feel, Sara replied, her voice soft. "It's okay. I know you'll handle this. You've always been so capable."
"Look at the time," Sara murmured, her gaze drifting to the window. "John will be home soon, followed by William and Stacey. This is about to get serious."
"True, I wonder how they'll react," Robert asked, his voice filled with concern.
"John will be stoic, William will worry, and Stacey will panic," Sara predicted with a sigh.