The clearly magic screen starts to vanish from my eyes, the mana dispersing without trace into the air. It's a curious case. Even the Gods' magic had clear traces to it, but this feels... Different. Like a natural movement, rather than one commanded.

Beginning Initialization.

It happens again. The exact same thing. No trace, no warning. Mana simply weaving itself together into an illusion, and... I can't see anything about the matrix, either. I'm only more sure now, that it's happened again. And now I'm sure: I cannot understand this, not as I am now. Perhaps if it was someone on the level of the Æsir... They could tell.

I wince as a sudden headache takes hold. The sting flows through the rest of my body, but... It's the soul. I can already tell from my own experience. Whatever is happening, it's affecting the soul.

Name: Kàra Class: Shining Valkyrie Level: 4 Skills Stats ~Spearman~ Level: 41 STR: 17 Spearmanship Level: 57 VIT: 24 Footwork Level: 50 AGI: 17 Parrying Level: 54 DEX: 17 Tactics Level: 44 WIS: 12 Throwing Level: 42 INT: 12 Opportunism Level: 36 CHA: 12 Trapping Level: 27 HP: 325/ 325 Command Level: 45 MP: 180/ 180 Management Level: 30 MP Regen: 2.88 /Minute Stealth Level: 20 HP Regen: 2.76 /Minute

Free Points: 8 Arts ~Paladin~ Level: 35 Radiant Lance Mana Control Level: 38 Mana Sense Level: 42 Light Magic Level: 33 Barrier Magic Level: 30 Healing Magic Level: 27 War Magic Level: 46 Guarding Level: 40 Maintenance Level: 35 Leadership Level: 26 Survival Level: 30 Expand [ LOCKED ]

I... What is all of this? HP? Arts? I focus on 'Arts', hoping that this understands what I'm wishing for.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Arts

Arts are a tool provided by the System for the integrated, a usage of Mana by the system. Arts are not possible to recreate by natural means, in most situations.

...I see. So it's some form of spell, that this 'System' uses rather than the user?

Radiant Lance

ACTIVE: Consume 20 MP/Minute to imbue weapon with light magic.

Hm. I can already do that with imbuing, however? War Magic already specializes in such things. Though, by the way Arts were described... Perhaps, by that definition, it works different from War Magic? Perhaps both can be used at once? Testing will have to wait for another time, however.

What has me most interested is HP, whatever that is... I focus on that, out of interest. It could simply be something to do with physical health, but... With magic, things are not so simple.

HP

A measure of how connected the body is with the soul. Trauma to body, mind, or soul all affects the connection.

0 is the point at which the body and soul cannot remain connected, and separate, leading to death.

HP Regeneration:

Excess mana generation from the soul will be repurposed to assist in restoring the connection represented by HP.

I see. Excess mana is normally released into the environment, as not all of it can be simply stored within the body... My people already knew of that. But if this is to be believed, this 'System' uses a portion of that excess to keep those connected to it alive, then? The survivability of those under it must be far greater than I'm used to, then. War must be far different here on Arde, especially given... Everything else, which seems to suggest that people can only grow stronger. Frigg told me that I would be far from the strongest here, and I see why.

Depending on how far this reaches, the strongest individuals here could rival the Gods I know of. This place... It could be either a death trap, or a place to grasp true freedom.

Or revenge. Both work. But I can tell; I have equipment, and I have greater strength than most would have, I believe. A minor head start, in the long one. But it's one that will matter, now at least.

I only have to hope that this chance won't be ruined, by an early end. If one of those stronger individuals intercepts us now, we could end up as two more bodies to provide nutrients for this forest.

The 'Chemist' looks over to me. "I think we're going to have to discuss this." Stating the obvious, but the obvious is needed often. "We will." I nod.

We're going to have to look into this... Quite a bit. Two heads is better than one, and we need every edge we can get.