As Blake came to, the first thing that they noticed were densely packed, light brown specks of color floating around them. The pigment seemed solid at first, but as Blake gaze in amazed elation to having something other than darkness to look at, it seemed to flow slowly like molasses. The former body of Blake had quite the sweet tooth, so the temptation to stick out their tongue and lick the strange pigments was an odd feeling. Excited, Blake subconsciously tried to look around. It was only then that it became apparent that beyond the viscous brown flakes, impish shamrock flecks were dancing in the air. They traced the wind, a ghost that outlined something normally invisible to the naked eye.
Intermittent among these colors were scarlet dots that vibrated with energy, seemingly ready to explode if they were looked at funny. The canvas that all these colors existed on made shapes and hues, painting the world in a breathtaking view that would put van Gogh to shame. No firm outlines existed. Instead, the borders of each item seemed to become a festival of the different hues for about a centimeter before going off into their respective homes.
Rudely, the tearful moment of beauty after a day of near mind-breaking torture was interrupted by the System.
"Ding. Your use of Magic Vision has given you a world to see. Magic Vision leveled up."
Snapping out of the reverie, Blake realized they were alive! But still in the form of a rock. Bittersweet tears refused to appear, becoming the first instance that proved just how hard it was to squeeze water from a stone.
"Alright. I've managed to survive and now I can use Magic Vision. What changed while I was unconscious? And how long was I out for? System, can you answer any of these questions for me?" Blake hoped to get some answers, but the System had other ideas.
"Multiple queries submitted. One accessible, one denied. Upgrade system with module (Calendar Function, Alarm Function, etc.) for system points to access submitted query. Query 1: Changes in environment. Answer: Planet was bombarded with a Magic Source Meteor, a phenomenon required to introduce magic in a planet. Produced via exploding Magic Stars, data collected shows that 80% of planets with complex life on them have magic in them. Participant's original planet is a rare variant with complex lifeforms arising without magic. Handbook has been updated." Blake imagined the System's typical tone to have a hint of scorn in it, but the suspicion was quickly tossed aside.
Of all the bombshells that were dropped from just a single question, the biggest one to Blake was how common magic was! It was like living in a rural town all your life, then visiting a big city and seeing all the cool things that were considered normal there. One could even say that magic was typically necessary for life to evolve! Suddenly, all those jokes of being born in the wrong universe by fellow nerds didn't seen so silly anymore. But Blake was one of the lucky few who reincarnated, and into a world now with magic! Aside from the fact that the planet was in something akin to the Hadean eon of Earth, Blake could hopefully experience all the fun in the world that could previously only be found in fiction. With newfound strength, Blake wanted to see the changes that the world underwent.
"Handbook, give me the basics of the changes that occurred and how it can affect me."
"Certainly! In addition to the changes in the world, the Participant is now able to learn and use previously unusable perks and skills. Other previously used perks and skills may be modified by the magic environment. As for the Participant, several new perks have been added and quests have been completed.
Completed quest description: Congratulations! You have survived the asteroid!
Title earned: Survivor of an Apocalypse! What normally would have wiped out all life, you survived! Not that there was any life to wipe out in the first place… Gain +100 luck.
+10,000 system points awarded.
Perk Earned: Source of Magic. Allows participant to be infused with magic into their very soul. Can generate magic quickly, but at the cost of massive damage to the soul if overdrawn too much. Adds the "Mana" stat to the participant."
The Handbook listed out all the changes that occurred while Blake was napping. What's more, the screens previously suspended in the black void of Blake's mind were now overlaid with the new Magic Vision. The crisp clean lines of the System felt like they were stepping on the world in defiance of its beauty. Frowning inwardly, Blake called up their status to look at the changes.
[ STATUS ]
Participant 000549144: Blake
Species: Basic Volcanic Rock (Lucky)
HP: 100/100
Mana: 100/100
Strength (STR): 0
Intelligence (INT): 15
Wisdom (WIZ): 12
Dexterity (DEX): 0
Constitution (CON): 100
Charisma (CAR): 0
Luck (LUK): 110
System Points: 480,000
Current Quests: None
Current Perks: Former Life's Memories, Point Store, Growth Tutor System, Source of Magic, Lucky, Extreme Heat Resistance (Lv.1), Extreme Physical Damage Resistance (Lv.1), Focused Mind (Lv.20), Magic Vision (Lv.2)
Skills: Telekinesis (Lv. 2)
Noticing all the changes to the Status window, Blake's mind began forming questions. But before they could ask, the Handbook guide popped back into existence.
"Changes in the Participants Status detected. (Lucky), and similar denominations, are when a Participant achieves Stats abnormal to the Participants species. These name changes added to their Status. For you, Blake, you are luckier than the average Basic Volcanic Rock and of many species.
The Mana tab allows the Participant to use Skills more efficiently. Mana is the fuel for most Skills. Participant's "Telekinesis" skill is one such skill. Now, instead of a usage formula, Mana Cost replaces it. For example, Telekinesis now costs 10 mana per use as well as no hourly limit."
The boon of magic being introduced to the planet brought great benefits to Blake. However, it didn't help their current situation. In addition to the planet being nothing but lava, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, Blake was currently trapped inside of a boulder! But given the safety that it brought with it, instead of panicking, Blake decided to explore the other modules of the Point Store. Surviving an apocalypse only netted Blake 10,000 system points! This meant that most points that were earned by other Participants would be vastly inferior to Blake's previous total. Points weren't like gold, they were like diamonds in a pay-to-win game! Opening the Store, there was one category that Blake hadn't looked into yet, System Modules.
A notice calmly popped up as Blake's selection expanded.
"Notice for Participant: System Modules are permanent installations into the existing System. While some may reflect Skills or Perks, they cannot be interfered with except for Administrators. System Modules may interact with one another depending on the situation."
As Blake made sure to remember the new info, they pulled up the Store. It was much more limited, but each of modules ranged from helpful to godly! Calendars, analysis modules, even sub-space dimensional storage! The downside was the price. Even a Calendar cost 1,000 points! But what really drew Blake's gaze were two modules, Mapping and Inspection. Whereas most modules were bought without any ability to get them cheaper, these two could be purchased at a discount. Each cost 400,000 points at max level, but only 200,000 points at Lv.1. Once they reached the max, it would only cost 20,000 points to fully upgrade. They even could work together to help create detailed maps.
Like a Black Friday shopper, Blake bought quite a few modules. It would pay for itself to have a smartphone in your head. For the Calendar, Advanced Watch, Mapping (Lv.1), and Inspection (Lv.1), the total system points came to 406,000 system points. Add in the eventual upgrade purchase which would have to be saved up, Blake's mental remaining system points only were a measly 34,000 system points. Where was the wealthy rock from yesterday? But all of these would be needed for Blake to tackle their next plan after they managed to break free from their stone prison.
Explore this planet completely!