(Where... am I?) Percy's thoughts drifted through the haze of consciousness, his mind sluggishly grasping at clarity.
A dull, aching sensation spread through his limbs as he instinctively tried to move. (Ugh. Damn... that hurts.) Every attempt to shift his body sent sharp jolts of pain through his nerves.
His vision remained blurred, a bright, overexposed haze making it impossible to focus. (Why is everything so... blinding?) He tried to voice his confusion, but no sound emerged—his throat raw and uncooperative.
A steady beeping noise cut through the silence.
~Beep~
"Pupils are fully responsive," a man's voice noted clinically.
~Beep~
"Patient is conscious. Hello, Mr. Magus, can you hear me?"
(Yes, I can hear you!) Percy wanted to respond, but his vocal cords refused to comply.
~Beep~
"Patient is unresponsive due to severe damage to the vocal cords."
A door swung open with a soft whoosh, followed by the sound of footsteps.
"Ah, Nurse Rake! I see you've been monitoring the patient," a women's voice—calm, professional—entered the room.
"Yes, Dr. Mahindra. I was just performing a routine check-up before your arrival."
"Excellent. And how is Mr. Magus doing?"
~Beep~
Suddenly, the rhythmic beeping of the monitor escalated, sounding unbearably loud to Percy's heightened senses.
~Beep~
"Heart rate: 88 bpm. Oxygen saturation: 97%. Blood pressure: 126/80. Body temperature: 97.6°F." Nurse Rake voice softened slightly. "Doctor, his vital signs are stable."
~Beep~
"Good. Based on the X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, there are no lasting internal complications. What about his bloodwork?"
"The lab ran a Basic Metabolic Panel, CBC, lipid panel, and a full hormonal profile. Everything is within standard range—for a seventeen-year-old, at least."
~Beep~
"Alright, I'll review the results and document them. What about his mana diagnostics?"
~Beep~
(Mana diagnostics? What the hell is that?) Percy's mind reeled at the unfamiliar term.
~Beep~
"The diagnostic scan showed Level F Mana Capacity, Level E Mana Compatibility, and Level F Magical Talent. As for Mana Control—unknown. We couldn't evaluate it since the patient isn't fully conscious yet." Nurse Rake's tone remained professional, but there was a tinge of disinterest in his voice, as if the results were expected.
~Beep~
"Typical. His sister mentioned that he has no real magical talent," Dr. Mahindra said matter-of-factly.
Percy barely registered the words at first. But then—
(Wait… my sister?)
~Beep~
"Oh? Is she here now?" Nurse Rake inquired.
~Beep~
"No. She only came once—strictly for emergency contact verification. I attempted to discuss his condition with her, but she seemed... uninterested."
Something in Percy twisted at those words.
~Beep~
"Oh well, all we can do is focus on his recovery. Continue the IV mana infusion at the set rate. At this pace, I estimate he'll make a full recovery by the end of the month."
"Yes, Doctor."
~Beep~
Percy remained silent as he listened to the sound of the door opening and closing, leaving him alone in the sterile room.
(She doesn't care…?) The thought struck like a hammer to his chest, cold and suffocating. (That's… impossible.)
His mind scrambled for justification. (She's busy. That has to be it. We were in the middle of midterms before everything happened. I told her to focus on her exams… yeah, that must be it.)
He tried convincing himself, but unease gnawed at the edges of his thoughts. The doubt was a whisper in his mind, quiet but persistent.
Determined to brush it aside, he forced himself to focus on his next step. (Once I get out of here, I'll find her myself.)
Yet, as if the universe itself wished to deny him even a moment of peace, a new frustration presented itself.
(Damn it! I can't even open my eyes!)
Before he could spiral further into irritation, the now-familiar screen materialized within his mind.
{Uploading sequences…}
(What now?)
{Hello, Master Magus. I am currently updating you to the Infinite Omega System interface, adjusting for current body parameters and potential growth.}
Percy's exhaustion deepened. He barely had the energy to process what was happening, let alone argue with the system. This thing had a way of flipping his entire reality upside down at the most inconvenient times.
Instead of resisting, he let out an exasperated sigh in his mind. (Fine. Just get it over with.)
{Upload complete!}
{Would Master like to review current stats?}
Percy hesitated, then relented. (Yeah… let's see what we're working with.
{Infinite Omega System...
~Name: Percy Atlas Magus,
~Bloodline: Human
~Potential: Level 4
~Abilities: Eternal Lucky Charm, Life/Death Benefits, Absolute Immunity. [For further information click each ability]
~Stamina: 0
~Strength: 0
~Intelligence: 10
~Mana: 0}
(What exactly am I looking at?) Percy questioned, his gaze scanning the intricate details before him.
{Would master like me to provide an explanation?} Beta's voice chimed in, calm and ever-reliable.
(Yes, break it down for me.)
{Very well. What you are currently observing is a general breakdown of your existing stats. The system has conducted a thorough scan of both your physical and soul-bound attributes, assessing your current capabilities… as they stand.}
(…)
Percy remained silent for a moment, digesting the information. (That makes sense… I think.)
{Good! However, do note that your abilities are presently limited to the three welcome packages you initially received from the system. These serve as a foundation, but as you grow stronger, additional system features will naturally unlock, expanding your potential.}
Percy gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
{At this moment, your primary stats include Strength, Stamina, Intelligence, and Mana. The first three should be self-explanatory, but I sense some confusion regarding the nature of Mana. Am I correct?}
(Yeah, I've been meaning to ask—what exactly is Mana?)
A brief pause.
{….}
{Based on my analysis of your memories, your former world lacked the capability to produce or manipulate Mana, unlike this one. In fact, the very concept of Mana only existed within fictional stories and speculative fantasy literature.}
Percy furrowed his brows, straining to recall any instance where he had come across the term. Yet, the only books he vividly remembered were academic texts—tools he had once used to sharpen his intellect in preparation for the rigid expectations of his previous life.
{I can sense your struggle, Master. Would you like me to retrieve and play back the memory data?} Beta offered.
(Wait—you can do that?) Percy's mind reeled at the sudden revelation.
{Of course! It is a trivial matter.}
Before Percy could process the full weight of her words, an unseen force surged through him. A sudden and violent pull seized his consciousness, dragging him deep into the recesses of his own mind.
(Great… another out-of-body experience.) he thought dryly, moments before everything around him shattered like fractured glass.
The sensation was overwhelming. Reality itself seemed to unravel, folding inward until all that remained was an abyss—endless and absolute. Percy tried to resist, to hold onto something tangible, but there was nothing. He could only succumb to the descent.
Then, from the void, a single point of light emerged.
Small. Ethereal. Playful in its movements, the tiny orb of radiance flitted through the darkness like a firefly, pulsing with an inexplicable warmth. It danced around him, leaving behind delicate trails of shimmering luminescence, instilling in him a fleeting sense of wonder.
One by one, other fragments of light materialized, clicking into place like puzzle pieces, weaving together until they formed a swirling cocoon of energy around him. The darkness that once swallowed him whole was now forced back, retreating beneath the brilliance of this newfound radiance.
The transformation was mesmerizing—but also disorienting.
A sudden, sharp pain pierced through Percy's skull. He winced, clutching his head as the flood of memories threatened to overwhelm his senses. Though brief, the sensation was enough to remind him of the sheer mental toll this process demanded.
As Percy's eyes fluttered open, he found himself immersed in a reality unlike any other. The world around him had shifted, no longer bound by the physical constraints of time and space. Suspended in the void, he was surrounded by ethereal projections—floating memories playing out like fragments of an old film reel.
The first set of images bathed the darkness in a warm glow, casting vivid scenes of his parents. Moments of tender embraces, playful laughter, and whispered words of love flickered before him, each one a stark reminder of the familial warmth he once had. These recollections, so painfully real, sent an ache curling around his heart, gripping him with a longing so deep it was suffocating.
Then, without warning, the cocoon of light shattered into darkness.
For a fleeting moment, there was nothing—just the weight of silence pressing against him.
Then, just as suddenly, the darkness fractured, giving way to another memory.
This time, the vision was set within a dimly lit bedroom. A young girl with pink pigtails, hazel eyes gleaming like amber, and short black hair clutched a giant panda plush to her chest, her breaths slow and steady in peaceful slumber. Beside her, a boy—no older than ten—sat with his legs crossed, hunched over a well-worn book. The lamp beside him cast long shadows across the room, illuminating the pages as he read aloud.
"As the great hero Michael stood on the battlefield, his body battered, his mana reserves depleted, he gathered every last ounce of strength to face his greatest foe—the demon king, Caractacus," the boy recited, his voice steady, despite the heavy words.
"The armies of darkness surged forward, but Michael did not falter. With a resolute heart, he cast his final and most powerful spell—the ten-circle magi incantation, 'Forces of Obliteration.' Energy crackled around him, raw and untamed, as the heavens themselves trembled beneath its might. The spell descended upon the already-weakened demon king, reducing him to mere ash. And in his final moments, Caractacus whispered, 'You truly are one blessed by mana...'"
The young Percy paused, glancing sideways. His little sister had long since drifted into sleep, her tiny fingers curled around the plush bear. A small, affectionate smile ghosted his lips before he returned to the story.
"Michael, exhausted beyond comprehension, stood amidst the desolation he had wrought. His power had saved the world—but at what cost? The lands were scarred, the skies burned, and the silence of the battlefield echoed louder than the war cries that had once filled it. He clenched his fists, his breath unsteady."
"'I may have been blessed by mana,' Michael murmured, 'but that blessing never made life easier. It only made the burdens heavier. This power… it cost me too much. Losing you was never worth it. No amount of power is worth saving those who do not deserve it.'"
"And with those final words, he grasped the hilt of the sword that had never once left his side and drove it straight into his heart."
A heavy silence settled in the dimly lit room.
The boy exhaled softly, watching his sister snuggle deeper into her blankets. With gentle care, he reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face before pulling the blanket snugly around her small frame. He turned off the bedside lamp, leaving only the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the window.
Padding across the wooden floor, young Percy made his way to the living room. A modest bookshelf stood in the corner, filled with old books that had long since lost their luster. He carefully slid the worn novel back into its rightful place, his fingers lingering on its spine as he whispered to himself:
"What a terrible ending."
The memory dissolved into mist, and Percy found himself once more in the stark sterility of the infirmary.
The warmth of the past was gone. The echoes of his childhood laughter had faded.
And yet, something within him had shifted.
He exhaled slowly, staring at the ceiling as reality settled around him once more.
{Memory of
Percy sat motionless, gripped by the weight of his own emotions. Though he hadn't spoken a word throughout the ordeal, it felt as if he had been forcibly thrust back into that moment—reliving it with startling clarity. (This system... it's no joke.) His eyes flicked to the screen once more, a newfound wariness settling into his bones.
(That is something I must agree on...)
The system's response barely registered in his mind before another line of text illuminated the screen.
{Throughout your entire seventeen years of existence, the word 'Mana' was only mentioned once. That, in itself, explains much about you.}
Percy's brow furrowed, confusion knitting itself across his features. (What do you mean by that?)
A pause.
{…}
{It's nothing.}
The moment stretched long before the system finally continued.
{Regardless, let me clarify. The explanation of mana is quite simple.}
Percy's eyes sharpened, his anticipation mounting as he awaited the system's elaboration.
{Mana is the omnipresent energy that fuels all life throughout the universe. From the tiniest insect to the mightiest archmagi, everything—every living thing—possesses mana to some extent. Most individuals wield only a modest amount, their capabilities aligning with the natural order. But there are those… those rare few who possess mana that far exceeds the normal threshold.}
As Percy absorbed this knowledge, his expression shifted like a canvas being painted in real-time. Flickers of realization, intrigue, and skepticism played across his face, emotions that any outside observer would have found both amusing and deeply compelling.
{This world thrives on mana. Those with even a sliver of talent in its manipulation are granted immense respect and authority. Many powerful organizations pour billions, if not trillions, into fostering mages who can elevate their status within society.}
It was as if a missing puzzle piece had finally clicked into place. Percy wasn't merely grasping a new concept—he was seeing the bigger picture, a glimpse into the world's unspoken hierarchy. His eyes gleamed, though he wasn't entirely sure why.
(Alright, System… you've finally piqued my interest.)
A moment of silence passed before the screen pulsed with its response.
{…..}
{Excellent.}
{As the new Master of the Infinite Omega System, you stand at the precipice of unparalleled opportunity. The paths before you are limitless—you may rise to become the strongest, the wealthiest, the most feared, or the most revered. You and you alone hold the power to transcend limitations, to surpass and subjugate those who have wronged you, or to carve out a life of absolute comfort and luxury.}
Percy's pulse quickened, but his expression remained guarded. The allure of power was a honeyed poison, intoxicating yet dangerous. He had learned firsthand how words could be woven into gilded traps, meant to ensnare those blinded by arrogance. (This system can promise me endless riches, authority beyond imagination, even dominion over this world... but that does not mean I will dance to its tune.)
The very nature of the system intrigued him—it wasn't a mindless program, nor was it purely mechanical. No, something about it felt too human.
(Its purpose is clear—to make me stronger. But whether for good or for something far worse... that is mine alone to decide.)
Percy's return to consciousness was not a gentle awakening—it was a jarring descent into pain and disorientation. The sterile brightness of the infirmary's lights clawed at his senses, forcing his vision into focus. His gaze drifted upward, catching the reflection cast by the mirror ceiling above him.
What he saw sent a hollow weight settling in his chest.
His body—bandaged, broken, and burned—was a testament to the brutal ordeal he had endured. Beneath the layers of medical gauze, patches of charred skin peeked through, blackened and cracked like scorched earth after a wildfire. Some areas oozed a mixture of pus and blood, raw and unhealed. The pain was omnipresent, a throbbing, searing reminder of his mortality.
Then, his attention locked onto his own eyes.
Where once his gaze had gleamed with an otherworldly brilliance—blue and gold interwoven like the sky at dawn—now there was only a dull, lifeless gray staring back at him. Hollow. Exhausted. Stripped of vitality. The transformation unsettled him in a way he hadn't anticipated.
This moment, this fragile state of existence, was more than just a reflection of his injuries. It was a brutal truth. A reminder of how close he had come to the edge.
And yet, even as the weight of it all bore down on him, his resolve remained unshaken.
(First, I recover...) Percy decided, shutting his weary eyes against the light. (Then... I find my sister.)
With that singular thought anchoring him, he allowed himself to drift into the temporary solace of unconsciousness.