Beginning character creation. Please select what you would like to customise first:

Name

Race

Appearance

Ability Draw

Special

The blue text box suddenly popped into Cal's head, the various options indented and glowing with a golden underline. However, the last option, 'Special' had a line through it. Cal knew if he focused on any of the options, except for the last, he would be able to select it and based on what the box had told him, make some "customisations"...whatever that was.

Cal instantly decided to keep his name the same. He knew it would be too confusing having to adjust to a new one; besides, he was happy with his name. Focusing on that option, he thought his name and The System wrote it out. After that, he thought 'Back'. The System asked for confirmation with his name and then took him back to the screen with all the other options. This time the name option was in green, indicating it was all filled out.

Being so wrapped up in the character creation process, Cal had forgotten entirely about Aldren. Anybody who knew who Aldren was wouldn't have made such a simple mistake after all the reputation of the Universe's lackeys were extremely fierce to those displaying disrespect. Fortunately for Cal, he was an integral candidate, at least for now and Aldren was one of the few serene individuals that served The Universe.

Again his voice rasped "The Universe generally cannot give you too many benefits or else other Champions will proportionally gain compensation. In this special instance, however, it has managed to circumvent this and provide not only one but two unparalleled gifts."

Succeeding Aldren's words was an enormous boom that shook the very ground. Beneath Cal's feet, the ground stirred as Grey mist abruptly rose up and condensed into a ball. Spinning, the tennis-ball-sized grey ball rose up until it was eye level with Cal. Golden lightning sparked along the edges of the grey ball of mist as it spun. Just as fast as it came into existence, it went, slamming into Cal's head.

The Universe has deemed you it's first-ever Champion and has awarded you two Special boons. Beware Champion; power attracts the loathing of many.

With those daunting words, the Special option shimmered, and the strikethrough faded away. Not wasting any time, Cal focused his attention on that very option. A new box appeared

1. Ability: Undefined

2. Summon Soul Familiar

'Holy shit'. The words ran through Cal's head over and over. In all the other games he had played from his past life, soul familiars had been among the most game-breaking. Even better, Cal knew the aforementioned ability was likely to be just as powerful as the soul familiar, and he had a feeling it might even be more so. With a pounding heart, Cal focused in on the top item.

1. Ability: Undefined

Undefined

This ability offers fundamental changes to your mind, body and soul. Ultimately, allowing you to choose your destiny.

Rank: Hidden

The rank of this ability is currently unknown. The ranking of this ability may be discovered in time or automatically upon reaching a sufficient level.

Level: 1

The current level of this ability offers fundamental changes to your soul. Your soul is currently in a state of flux and can not be defined. You will not be plagued with as many restrictions as regular candidates.

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While the ability didn't give too much away, especially at this level, it was clear how great an ability it was and how powerful it was and could grow to be.

Seeing Aldren was patiently waiting for Cal to continue he went back a stage to focus on the second gift The Universe had granted him

        2. Summon Soul Familiar

Upon spawn, places into the Candidate's inventory a summon soul familiar scroll. This scroll breaks open a gateway across space and time to summon a familiar that may offer great utility or fighting prowess to complement you. The familiar's soul will therein be linked with yours. The full implications of this may only be known in time.

One thing was clear. The information provided was currently lacking due to Cal's poor understanding of the world he was into yet what he could read as of now gave him an idea of how great of an advantage he would have from the get-go.

Cal selected both boons immediately, confirmed them and waited for some telltale sign. A few seconds later, Cal facepalmed, realising nothing was happening and returned to his customisation screen.

Next on the agenda was the Race option. Focusing on this drew Cal's heart to a frenzy, after all, what if there was no human option, what if he was forced to become some sort of...monster! Would he want to even live like that?

The System shot a quick message his way before opening the Race option

"At this stage, Candidates may only choose from the following race options, yet further races may become available to later in time."

'So in other words, if I don't get an option I like I could be stuck with it forever!'

His head pounded in time with his speeding heart as he saw the list of possible options:

Beginning Race Selection:

Human

Elf

Dwarf

A sigh escaped his mouth with the first option, and he immediately chose it and locked it in. His friends might call him a pussy, but he just liked to play it safe!

Cal unfocused from the screen to see the edges of Aldren's lips curve into what looked suspiciously like a grin upon his stoic face. 'Bastard..' Cal muttered under his breath before proceeding to his next option.

This was the appearance option. Focusing on which brought up a 3D version of himself that was slowly rotating. Unsure what to do from here, Cal quickly asked Aldren.

"During the Choosing, candidates cannot make dramatic changes to their appearance. Little things, however, like slight changes in skin colour are permitted. Focusing on what changes you would like will display it on the avatar you see in your vision" He answered in a patient tone, voice still rasping.

Returning to the screen, Cal took a look at himself. With short black hair, a somewhat round yet chiselled face and a slight tan, he knew he wasn't bad looking yet like anyone there were parts he would change given a chance. Firstly, he removed the evidence of acne that his 17 yr old body was still dealing with before moving on to provide a more defined look to his jawline. In doing so, he was confronted with the following message.

"Error: The last change proposed cannot be completed during this process."

'Bummer' Cal thought although it wasn't too big of a deal, so he wasn't too put-out. Looking his avatar up and down, he considered the rest of his body. At 5 foot and 8 inches, Cal had moderately above average strength for someone his age, and it showed, yet he still possessed that of a runner's physique. Overall he decided that any changes he would make would not be allowed within this appearance customisation and would have to wait.

Ability Draw. This time there was no further information lying in wait when he focused on this option. Instead was a simple slot machine like those from a gambling joint. Seeing nothing else within the window, Cal imagined the slot in action. Slides slid by in a rush as different images were brought to the fore before retreating into the machine. Slowly the movement of the slides slowed until the machine finally stopped. Lying in wait for Cal was the following ability.

Telepathy

This ability rearranges the neurons within your brain into a formation that, with the supply of Mana, allows you to establish a brain-to-brain link with living creatures.

Rank: Epic

Level: 1

The current level of this ability enables you to transmit some of your thoughts over a short distance with willing creatures that you have a high fundamental understanding of.

With everything completed the screen Cal was interacting with suddenly closed and a buzzing started to build in Cal's ears.

Aldren finally spoke again "Farewell Champion. You are now equipped to face the trials of the new world you will spawn in."

With those words, the buzzing reached a crescendo. "I still have questions damn you!" Cal shouted before being scattered into motes of light. A final blue screen flooding his vision

"Respawn Commencing"