An unbothered Alden is currently continuously practicing his only active skill [Poker Face] to get used to triggering the system, if anyone can see his face contorting up and down right now, they would think he was insane.
'I have always thought putting up a pretense is tiresome, who would have guessed it was true…'
Alden has disregarded the A grade skill [The Heir's Right] completely. It was already the past and should not follow him to his next life, but he actually prefers that. Alden never likes to be burdened by the duty of an heir, he just did it for the sake of it.
If he looks at its effects, Alden would get annoyed too. The effects of drawing hostility and gaining favors, just by looking at the fact that Alden has no friends and a whopping 23 times being kidnapped, it is clear as day which side is more dominant.
'No matter how I've lived in the past, the difference should not be so big! The employees don't really favor me either, they treated me with respect at most. Such a cursed skill, good riddance.'
What's particularly concerning to him now is why his stats are so low!
'The system display that the maximum point that could be reached is in the hundred. While my attributes except for intelligence, luck and charm could not even reach ten prior to attributes correction. That is ridiculous!'
Alden was bitter, which is understandable.
Although he didn't say it, Alden is very proud of his past-life physique. He couldn't really be both bland and obese, couldn't he?
As he does not have a particular hobby or goal, on his 13th birthday, Alden asked his mother for a private trainer. The look on his mother's face at that point was hilarious, but he just thought that without anything planned, he might as well spend time developing his physique. As a result, a gym and a team of trainers were added to the mansion and he received an optimal growth plan from the tender age of thirteen. Even the remark stated that his physique was upper tier, but it is still pitifully low.
"That is probably the limit of your species, my child. The universe is endlessly grand and your race has a pitiful physique compared to most. So you should not worry about that."
Asta sneak a peek into Alden's thoughts and naturally gave an answer. This has happened for too much and now Alden is used to it.
"hahh… I see, thank you for the explanation. So even given race maybe a hindrance now. Well, I can't control it, so let's put that aside…"
Still, Alden was still happy and thought that he was lucky to have acquired the system, he could now know these things beforehand and plan for it. That same joyous mood subsides instantly with Asta's next few words.
"Child, this privilege is a useful tool, but is this all there is?"
Alden had a look of betrayal on his face as he ask.
"What do you mean, it is pretty incredible to me though?"
Asta tilted his head as he answer with a weird voice.
"This thing sure it is convenient, especially for ignorant human like you that is unaware of everything. But to me, this 'system' of yours just put existing concepts and laws of the universe into words and displayed them. Is this really all?"
Seeing the all confuse Alden, Asta sigh and continue.
"You still seem to be unaware. All of these 'skills' and 'attributes' are already existing concepts of the universe used to define a life-form, everyone has it. You already owned these before you manifest the privilege, little Aiden. [Divine Revelation] for example, as I said, you're already capable of this as soon as you became my apostle, so all it really does is point that out. It seems lacking to me."
"You…are just trying to make me feel bad now…"
The happy Alden was quickly swayed by Asta's knowledge. He was starting to get dejected the more he understand his point and acknowledge his Lord's word to be true, his shoulders dropping slowly.
"Hmm…How about asking it directly if there are any more functions?"
The dejected Alden lamented before the hard truth and silently follow Asta's advice.
'Hahh…I knew it, I wasn't the protagonist, after all. But being hurt like this after death is too much…Erhm, dear system? Do you have any other functions?'
Alden was currently so lacking in confidence that, for a second, he didn't believe that the system could respond to such a simple command. Luckily, the system reacts.
=== System Window ===
- Status Window
- Information tab
- Window customization
===================
Unluckily, only a truly pathetically small window popped up, with only three options.
"...I can also access an information tab, Lord Asta! It provided pretty useful information about the world!"
- World: Limbo Dimension - A place where the deceased comes to rest before their next adventure.
Alden was too shameful to talk about the remaining function, a useless aesthetic customization. Especially so when Asta just poured the cold truth upon him. Seeing his Lord looking at him with pathetic eyes, Alden hurriedly changes the topic, his ears burning red.
"…I am satisfied with this privilege, my Lord, it can also respond to my command and is something familiar to me. Maybe it would get a future update? Anyway, I would like to try out the skills now, hahaha! I think you should try giving me a revelation. I wish to see how are communication method will work!"
Asta was still staring daggers into the floating Status Window, he replied.
"Huh? oh, sure, be ready, this is my first time too!"
Shrinking back at Asta's inappropriate and questionable word choice, a small white tab quickly manifests in front of Alden.
- The God of Adventure is curious and jealous of your interesting privilege 'System'.
'...It is good that the revelation is put into such a convenient format as this, but…. What kind of revelation is this? Can he just says whatever?'
Alden sighed loudly.
"My Lord, you just say the system is useless a moment ago, isn't it? Why are you getting jealous now?"
"I am not! I just find it pretty interesting blasphemous Alden. This tool is a mere extra plaything in front of the might of the gods! Besides, I think there is something more about it than what you are currently using…hmm."
"Right. Anyway, then can I communicate with you? Is this a one-way system?"
"My eyes could see anywhere, child, I could see and hear you whenever. Just pray in my name if something fun happens, I could probably read your thought too since you are my apostle. Such worries are useless."
"I see, that useful… ok, there is one less problem no- hmmm, what this?"
While taking notes and continuing to practice all system's functions, Alden suddenly notices a faint blueish window flashes around Asta when glancing at him. It is indeed the manifestation of a status window!
'Can I view others' statuses too? Is this the true way to utilize this privilege!? Maybe I will see it if I focus more?"
Alden immediately uses all of his mental strength to focus, trying to make sense of all the fleeing blue particles floating around Asta.
Immediately after, a similar status window popped up, but it was in front of Asta this time. At the same time, a sudden unbelievable headache rushes straight into Alden's mind as though someone just shoot him in the head, continuously!
===Status===
Name: Asta
Status: □□□
Age: 999+
Race: God
Sub-race: God of Adventure
Gift: □□□ □□□ Seeker
Overall Rank: □□□
Strength: □□□
Dexterity: □□□
Stamina: □□□
Intelligence: □□□
Luck: □□□
Charm: □□□
+ □□□ Unknow attributes.
Active skill:
Unable to retrieve information.
Passive skill:
Unable to retrieve information.
Remark: You are trying to inspect the might of a god. This is something you are unable to see through as well as cannot dare to comprehend at your current level. But there might be a chance in the future.
==========
"Argghhhh!?!"
"Dismiss that power child. Tsk, I should have known this would happen."
Asta casually reply as he sees a screen popped up in front of him and Alden whose rolling around in pain. He immediately understands what happens and smiles sadly while inspecting the status window of himself.
"This is a surprise. Not only does this privilege work for you, but it can also be used to inspect others! Well, inspecting a god is a little too much for now, but maybe if he continues to build up his existence….He already has access to my gift as well?… Well, this is exciting indeed! What a mysterious privilege!"
It took quite a while for Alden to finish his rolling around, it is unknown how long has passed but for him, just trying to access the information cause him a seemingly eternity of suffering. The pain subside, and Alden barely sat himself up.
"I…knew it, this power is a curse after all! If I am not already dead, I might already died again just by doing that. I probably should not carelessly access information from now on…"
Toward his apostle suffering, Asta just giggled the whole time. Then he casually drops a bomb, giving Alden no time to rest.
"Now, up you go, it's time to leave!"
A giant yellow portal was summoned.
***
"Haah…Alden, this is the 9th time. Should I start a countdown? You just need to jump to the other side and live as a baby for a while! How is that something to be anxious about?"
"You are inhumane to think that is easy, my Lord! Can I just please get a bit more time to stabilize, the headache aftermath is no joke!"
"You will probably have plenty of time to recuperate after you cross, that is why now is perfect! What, do you think newborn brains are capable of retaining your past life memories? Just go sleep and drink some milk for a while, this lord of yours hates idling the most!"
"Oh, that logical… But please, a bit mor— Arghhh!?"
Unable to even finish his' word, Alden was kicked! Without remorse, the sneaky Asta decided that his godly patient is fed up and finally used physical force!
"Then, I wish you an exciting adventure, dear apostle. Believe in your spirit. May you return my faith and live properly with this second chance. Adventure and Luck will always be with you."
That mischievous and soft smile of Asta is the last thing Eldan sees before he lost consciousness. The world around him swirls as his soul disappears alongside the portal.
Only the lonely God of Adventure is left in the vast limbo dimension, still smiling softly.
"I fulfilled the end of my deal. I hope you keep your word."
He talks to no one in particular, at least, no one that the human sense can perceive.
"He is a weird boy, I like him!"