Facing the huge yellow portal shining blindingly, Alden hesitate.
"...I really going in this time, Lord Asta, are you really sure this is the right one?"
Asta just float around, still spacing out, staring at nowhere as he speaks.
"Alden, this is the 4th time you asked. I might be a generous and patient god but I am bored now, child. I will deliver your pathetic note so leave your worries behind and jump!"
"No, my Lord, it is just… your carefree attitude summoning this portal is a little… isn't this suppose to be a grand moment after our training arc?"
"There is no training arc you just mention, it was just a little time I gave you to prepare like promised prior. You are making a fuss out of nothing, child!"
Alden lamented as he was reminded of right after he accepts Asta's proposal.
***
In the middle of writing his will after officially being appointed Asta's apostle. A sudden notice rang in Alden's mind and a familiar blue screen from his past life popped up all of the sudden in front of him.
[Installing the system… Collecting information… Please be on stand-by…]
"Lord Asta! What is this, there is a system notice! Is this your power?"
Alden was befuddled. He was a bland guy in the past, but that is exactly why he spend half of his free time reading novels and playing games (the other half is playing with adorable Aria). There is no way he is not familiar with the concept of a system. If this is truly the kind of system he knows off, Alden is certain that he had hit the jackpot!
'All of the sudden? Is being an apostle such a childish job? Then am I the main character, I did died in a car crash…it wasn't a truck though…'
While Alden was being stupid, Asta speak with an excited laugh.
"Oh, has your privilege taken shape? What is it, I should be able to help if you tell me more!"
"Privileges? Is this like the first privilege of being able to retain past-life memories? You don't know about this power of your?"
Asta wore an annoyed look as he give an explanation to his blasphemous apostle of his.
"Tsk tsk, you are getting cheeky all of the sudden after death huh, is this your original personality? For your information, the second privilege of an apostle is customized depending on the host. It should manifest a unique power that enforces growth based on my divinity, but I do not know prior what it will be exactly."
Looking at the still confused Alden, Asta nodded, seemingly proud to be the more knowledgeable, as he speak.
"Well you are a mortal prior to this, your speck of knowledge is lacking for the position of my apostle so this Asta shall enlighten you!"
"Each of the existing gods rules over their own respective domain of power. Some manifest from the faith of religion, normally called a faith or local god. Their power is limited compared to other gods, but is almost unmatched in their respective domains. Second, are gods like me, a manifestation of a concept or desire. We are universally strong, so you should be proud. And lastly, some being that exists prior to everything is also called god. They could be an avatar enforcing laws for the universe, or progenitor gods."
He stopped to peak at the focusing Alden for a second more, then continue.
"Well, the gods in existence are plenty, and their power's diverse, but to be called a god, we all have something in common, we possess at least one [divinity]."
Alden quickly takes note of unbeknown information casually rolling off Asta's tongue. Waiting for him to continue.
'Based on this, I am certain that there is a god of Idleness somewhere, just like Asta, how amazing would it be to relax as her apostle…'
"...Ogulu is one of the sin gods, she is not as simple as you thought so I suggest you wipe that thought out. Anyway, the other god is not important right now, you only need to know that the mighty god you serve possesses a whopping two divinities! Both [Spirit] and [Hardship]!"
Asta proudly finishes his explanation with a huge smirk, standing with his hand crossed and his chin tilted high, like he is waiting for a compliment.
The air froze in an instant, the reason is obvious.
"... What? Does my Lord really possess such a dangerous power? Does that mean… that you just bestowed hardship on me?"
Alden was speechless.
'How shameless! How is hardship a positive divinity to be proud of like that? Isn't Asta one of the evil gods? He was getting restless just by thinking about it already!'
"Hehehe, you should feel blessed child as you cannot fathom just how amazing that power is! There is no adventure without [Hardship]. It is the best divinity to promote growth too, so my apostle should have amazing potential! But be at ease, [Spirit] is also a component of adventure. It should at least create a fun and enjoyable journey! This two together mix and create [The Spirit of Adventure], my signature power that just permeated into you."
A splitting headache occupied Alden's mind as he thought of the incoming future. He stop paying attention after he heard Asta's affirmation of cursing him with hardship.
After a while, Alden has already given up his logical thinking. It has not been long since he died, but Asta kept casually throwing weird things at his puny human mind. Alden couldn't understand most, he could only adapt and move on. He sighed then ask.
"Well, then why did I manifest a system? Is this related to [Hardship]?"
"It should be, as I said, my divinity focus on growth. Is this 'system' you spoke of a kind of tool to promote growth, child?"
"...It is."
Alden hesitate.
'It is a cursed divinity…but being granted the system is too much of an advantage. The Lord says that this is an exclusive power too. I should be able to make use of this. I am kinda excited!… Tsk, scary power indeed.'
"Child, explain to me the 'system' privilege that you have! I am really curious about what amazing power moves a hopeless soul like you to wish for adventure!"
"It is installing my Lord, I will explain all about it after I see the interface at least. Please be patient, I will finish my note now."
After that, about 30 minutes passed according to Alden's remaining concept of time. He finish his will and delivered it to Asta, who was currently standing still, looking afar, probably peeping into some adventure elsewhere with his perverted powers.
Asta quickly read through the content of the note almost instinctively after receiving it from Alden. His eyes tremble a little as he looks back at his apostle.
"...I am truly speechless, you spend your remaining wish and time to write something generic like 'Thank you, I'm sorry, take care…' Is this really all? You are too hopeless my child."
Alden inevitably blushes a bit at the accurate comment.
He spends a lot of thought on what to write but decided to gloss over most. His family won't understand the situation anyway so it is better to not explain much, avoiding burdening his mother any further. It is a pity that he won't be able to say a proper goodbye to Aria and his mother, but this should at least be a satisfactory enough end for his previous life, Alden is content with this much.
'Both mother and Aria are strong, I hope they got over my death quickly and grew even closer after. I hope Aria will have a proper school life without all the kidnapping ruckus…'
Just as Alden started sinking into thought, reminiscent of his past life. Finally, the awaited notice from the system popped up!
[Starting the system…Success!]
[Manifesting 'Status Window'...Success! Please access via thought.]
Startled, he surpassed his boiling curiosity and anticipation. A wide grin appeared on his face. His heart was beating faster by the seconds with anticipation as Alden immediately proceed.
'I can't remember the last time I felt intense emotion like this, even accepting death is tasteless!'
"Status Windoww!"
Alden shouted. Although the system clearly reminded him that it can be accessed via thought alone, just thinking about it in his head is unworthy of this important moment for Alden.
Unbeknown to him, his personality is becoming more lively after meeting Asta. Alden has never acted like a child without restraint like this ever since he turns 5. But the person in question is just too excited to notice.
The system immediately react and a familiar simple blueish window like you often see in games, popped up in front of him.
===Status===
Name: Alden Millier
Age: 17
Status: Deceased
Race: Human+ (Soul form)
Title: 1st Apostle of Adventure (*New)
Gift: Talented Heir
Overall Rank: F+ -> G
Strength: 0.1 (5) / 100
Dexterity: 0.1 (5.2) / 100
Stamina: 0.1 (4.6) / 100
Intelligence: 67 / 100
Luck: 89 / 100
Charm: 0 (56) / 100
Active skill:
[Poker Face - G]:
You have a face that is capable of shielding your thought.
- Effect: After activation, put on an act that makes it unable for opponents to read your emotion.
- Cost: 0.01 stamina/ 10 seconds
- Cooldown: None.
Passive skill:
[The Heir's Right - A]:
You are blessed with a talent befitting of your position. A prodigy that only appeared once every hundred years!
- Effect: Everyday action becomes easier after minimum practice. Reduce the time needed to master a skill or talent. Allied faction of your family's corporation treated you with a favorable attitude. Opposing forces of your family's corporation bare hostile intent and target you.
[Divine Revelation - S] (*New):
As an apostle of the Heaven. You will heed your God's instructions, following their will. Whenever and wherever.
- Effect: It is now possible to communicate with the Lord you serve.
- Trigger randomly based on the (Asta - God of Adventure) intention.
[Adventure Affinity - S] (*New)::
The universe wishes for you to go on exciting adventures! It will do its best to reward you.
- Effect: You are likely to encounter an adventure.
- Trigger randomly based on 'Luck' stat.
Remark: A dead talented heir with uninteresting life stories. Upper status compares to humans on 'Earth' with exceptionally high 'Luck'. You are currently exist in soul form, some statuses received correction.
==========
"I must have gone crazy! My Lord, is this system just a prank on me?!"
"Oh can you now use your privilege, I don't know what you are talking about, but it is interesting nonetheless! Explain!"
Facing the innocently smiling Asta, Alden was stunned. Alden turns around with guilt and massaged his nose bridge.
'It doesn't seem like he is lying, calm down, Alden. Perhaps his power act like him, that possible…'
"Oh! I can see it too, what an interesting privilege. You are lucky indeed."
Asta's excited words drag Alden back to reality.
"You can see it too? I thought this is exclusive?"
"Tsk, it is my power little Alden, it is only natural. Others will not see a thing."
"Oh…How am I lucky again? I should not have been here in the first place if my luck is that high."
Asta just stare at him with a mysterious and pitiful look. Although Alden can't see his eyes, he could feel his burning gaze!
"I think surviving through 23 kidnaps is pretty lucky though. As I mention earlier, you have a good background and are blessed with talent, you just use it in the most pitiful way possible, child..."
Alden was already putting his Lord's words on deaf ears as he continue to exempt his status. He is too occupied with himself, trying out different interesting features.
"Lord Asta, I think I just gain a new title by being your apostle. I think the skill 'Divine Revelation' and 'Adventure Affinity' is related to that. Tsk tsk, what devious skills, I can't control it either."
"You are being outright rude to your Lord now little Alden, I can see that. But Divine Revelation is something you should be capable of in the first place as my apostle, it was just pointed out now. Hehehe, this 'system' tool of yours is funny, the comment is truly on point."
Alden sink in his thought, learning to use the system. Being completely immersed while learning is one of the bland Alden's rare habits. He would enter a mode and stops for nothing while he is studying in school too, one of the reasons he has no friends.
But the person in question is already lost in his thought, he was too excited about this new exclusive privilege of his!