'Huh?? That can't be right?'
[Although it's true you regained your memories just a week ago, you were actually born 3 months ago.]
'...Oh.' That's strange. 'I woke up after that long?'
[Not exactly. The situation is that you had just recovered all your past memories in your previous life just a week ago. That complication was due to the merging process, so before that you were simply a newborn baby without the memories of your previous life.]
[The merging process was quite... complicated. Inside the barrier, whilst the core from Master's current life had already assimilated, the core from Master's previous life had yet to do so. Therefore, your memories only returned after the assimilation and merging was complete.]
'...huh. This world is so weird...' As I was confused once again, he continues to bring up another confusing topic.
[It also seems that it wasn't just as simple as memories coming back.]
I glare at the air as he wasn't exactly there to glare at. 'What do you mean?'
[It seems instead of a memory it has become a record instead. Meaning that instead of memories, which are easily forgettable, records are etched into your mind for eternity. In fact, it seems that it has become an innate Skill. The memories you make in this life will be turned into records as well.]
'Hm... that seems useful.' I continued to suck on my thumb a bit more as I thought about everything I was told before I remembered I had questions.
'Ah, yes, Mr. Monarch. You kept mentioning a world record...'
I immediately got an answer. [Ah, yes. I have access to the records of this world... recorded by the world itself. So, my sources are trustworthy.]
'Huh... that's so cool. So, what else can you do?' I ask, curious but not questioning how that even works.
[I can do most things... All you need to do is ask and if I am unable to, I shall tell you so apologetically.]
I laugh a little. Then, I had only one thing that came to mind. 'Perhaps... can you materialize?'
[Ah... that, I can do.]
As he said so, a bright light, as if escaping from my heart, came out of my chest and materialized into a middle-aged man wearing a suit, adorning a monocle and a cool-looking cane. '...Woah. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Monarch.'
[...It is nice to make your acquaintance as well, Master.] He says as he does a proper bow.
I sensed a sort of deep familiarity which felt strange since I had only met him yesterday. But it did cause a smile to bloom on my baby face. It felt... nice.
'Anyway, so... do I have any other Skills apart from you?' I ask and Mr. Monarch nods.
[Yes, you do. You can check it through, one of the specialties that accompany my prowess, the status window.]
'Wow...' I had heard about it a lot during the times when I read novels. But now I'll be getting to see it personally. How exciting.
[Option to access 'Status Window': Affirmative?]
'Yes.' I nod and an opaque rectangle blinks a bit before it appears. '...Woah.'
⌈Basic Info:
Level: 1
Name: Zenais Castedras
Race: Human
Core type: Elite-Legendary (mix)
Basic Stats:
Max HP (Health Point): 1166
Max MP (Magic Point): 2300
Combat stats:
Max Attack: 3
Max Stamina: 1
Mana Regen (secs): 0.01
Total Defense (%): 0.03%
Intelligence: 30⌋
⌈Skills: 3
◊ Unique Skill: Monarch of Wisdom
: • A Skill that helps the possessor to be assisted by a knowledgeable Monarch.
◊ T10 Skill: Library of Memories
: • A T10 Skill that grants its user the power of memories. This Skill is also the one that enhances the user's ability to perceive Skills and Abilities better.
: • Able to purchase one permanent Skill from the Library. This Skill cannot be replaced nor exchanged. However, the user is able to purchase any other Skill and will be in possession of it depending on the amount of MP (magic power) that the Skill requires. The duration may vary depending on the Skill type/the current level of the user.
: • The Skills available will be Skills detected in the user's record of 'memory'. The purchase is done by using "points". The points are given depending on the level and survival. For example, if the user is level 1, every week that the user survives, they will earn 7 points. These points will increase by 3 points with each upgrade.
◊ T10 Skill: Hypersensitivity
: • The user has extremely accurate senses, allowing them to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel better than an average member of their species. Reaching higher levels, the user maybe capable of developing other senses (e.g.: energy perception, sensing blood, sensing motion, etc.). Applications:
: • Enhanced Synesthesia: Perceive multiple different sensory or cognitive responses at once.
: • Illusion Awareness: Many illusions will affect only a certain sense but lack in others, for example, an illusion might lack a smell or have no heartbeat. (🔒)
: • Motion Perception: Perceive Motion no matter if it's fast or slow as if it was moving normally. (🔒)
: • Accelerated Perception: Slow down the user's perception of time when in need. (🔒)
Abilities: 23
◊ Domestic Science (LVL 3)
◊ Keen Senses (LVL 1)
◊ Expert Caretaker (LVL 12)
◊ Mental Mathematician (LVL 45)
...Press for more. 」
'...There's a lot.' I blink at the screen in awe. [Master currently has a total of three Skills and twenty-three Abilities.]
'There's so many Abilities.' Huh... when did I do all these...?
[They're from your previous life; from your Elite core. Everything you've done, all your efforts in that life has been acclimated to this one, transformed into Abilities.]
'That makes... sense. And it makes me feel happy, too. That everything I did won't go to waste.' I take my time to look through my Skills and one catches my eye. 'Library of Memories? Interesting... '
[To activate it, Master can say or think of the Skill name. You can also create a trigger word for that Skill. The rest will come to you naturally so, I don't suppose I'd have to assist.]
'I see, thank you.'
Let's see... a Skill about Skills in my memories...?
A trigger word I could use for this Skill popped up into my mind so I immediately used it. 'Recall.'
[Initiating Awakening sequence.]
Huh...? It wasn't Mr. Monarch's voice... but it was the same words from his awakening.
[Recognizing and registering Master: Zenais Hortensia.]
'Hm... let's see... the summary says that I get 7 points every week I survive currently. So, that must mean that I have about 91 points right now...'
[Awakening sequence complete.]
[Entering Library.]
Mr. Monarch was right. After the awakening process, the ways to use the Skill just came to mind naturally.
A transparent-like screen just like the status window opened in front of me. I check the number of points I had and my mouth falls open.
'What?? I'm confused, why do I have 2,268 points...? Huh?? Did I do the math wrong?'
What was this?? Some kind of cheat?
[Master. This correlates to the fact that your cores from your previous and current life have merged. The points you have might possibly be the total points after surviving 27 years and 3 more months in this world.]
'I see... so that's what happened.' Huh, how lucky. Score. 'Let's see... which Skill shall I purchase permanently?'
As I scrolled through, I realized that the Skills presented seemed awfully familiar. And then it clicked.
'The descriptions... Are these... from novels I've read?' My eyes twinkle as I realize what the summary of Library of Memories meant. When it said that it provides Skills within my 'memory'... it meant Skills from the characters in the novels I read were included as well. 'Amazing.'
But I didn't have much time to marvel at this amazing Skill I had received. In the distance, I heard piercing, shrill howling that brought me to attention. 'Wolves...?'
[No, Master. Those are… Demonic Wolves. Wolves that have been demonized.] I raise a brow at that word. 'Demonized?'
[Some animals get corrupted from demonic energy and transform into a monstrous state, embodying power from the demon world. That is the process of demonization. They are much more dangerous than normal wild wolves.]
'...I see. Then I shall prepare to fight.'
[...Master?] It seems Mr. Monarch didn't understand.
I shake my head. 'I know you aren't strictly an attack-type Skill. Though, I don't know how I know... but, that means it's up to me. I am not dying so easily in this life as well, without putting up a fight.'
Mr. Monarch looks at me, his expression ridden with guilt. [I apologize for my incompetence.]
'Not at all. You've done so much for me. It's okay.' I smile at him with reassurance. 'Don't worry. I have the perfect Skill in mind.'
I turn back to the Library of Memories Skill window and search the Skill... 'Seven Cardinal Vices.'
The screen began scrolling by itself, getting faster with each scroll, crossing out every Skill that didn't match the search. When it stopped, just one Skill remained.
After confirming that it was indeed the Skill I was looking for, I immediately opt for purchasing it. 'For 500 points, huh... Buy it. As the permanent Skill, please.'
[Master.] There was a hint of worry and skepticism in his usual monotone voice.
'I know. I can't change it later.' I smile at Mr. Monarch, somewhat knowingly. 'Mister. Do you trust me?'
Mr. Monarch sighs and gives me a bow, realizing he can't say anything more. [Of course.]
I smile as I watch the Skill get purchased, showing the words, [Purchase Complete!], in bold on the screen as the purchase goes through.
Of course, there were penalties from this Skill that appeared later, but... it'll be fine. Right?