*Tip*
*Tap*
The sound echoed in the silent classroom as Mark anxiously tapped his fingers on his desk. The whole class staring fixedly at the clock that was about to strike three.
Finally just as the clock hit that magic number, the school bell rang and the principal released his announcement.
*Ding dong*
"Well everyone, it seems that time of the year has finally arrived… I hope you all have a great summer! I hope to see you all back for the next school year."
With the announcement ending, the whole class stood up from their seats and made their way to the door, saying their goodbyes as they excitedly made their way to their cars.
As Mark was following the crowd, a big arm suddenly wrapped around his neck. A fist came down rubbing the top of his head roughly.
"Cut it out Jake! I gotta catch my plane." Mark complained, pushing his friend away as he continued walking.
"Always so serious… you still have what? Two hours? The airport isn't even thirty minutes from here!" Jake mused while following behind.
"You have to account for variables dumbass. What if there's heavy traffic since school is just getting out for summer break, or something happens in baggage claim?" Mark rolled his eyes as he thanked the teacher who was holding the door open for the students.
"Thanks Mr. Wellings have a good summer. I know that but I'm just saying that you don't need to rush like your life's on the line man, you're always so serious!" Jake mused as he also thanked the teacher on his way out.
Reaching the parking lot, Mark and Jake said their goodbyes and parted ways. Mark fumbled his keys for a moment before unlocking his car and getting in.
Turning the car on, Mark looked at his excited expression in the rear view mirror as he began to pull out of the parking lot.
"Hey Google, take me to West View Airport." Mark said, as he followed the line of cars out of the school premises.
After the phone acknowledged his request he followed the directions and arrived at the airport after around forty minutes.
Going through the airline process was as much a pain in the ass as always, but he finally released a sigh of relief when he sat down in the waiting chair.
"Still a half hour until the flight; I told you it would take a while…" Mark chuckled and pulled out his phone to play a game while he waited for the plane.
…
"To all passengers of flight 467 to New York, the plane is now boarding."
Mark looked up from his phone and stood up along with the other passengers. They all lined up and boarded the plane.
The flight ended up being pretty monotonous, Mark just played with his phone as he waited to land.
Finally after what felt like hours the plane finally docked and they released the passengers.
Mark made his way to the baggage claim and as he finally collected his belongings it hit him like a truck.
A suffocating pressure descended upon him and pain began to spread from his heart to his stomach then his appendages.
As the pain continued to increase and the pressure constantly weighed on him, he looked up only to see that everyone was struggling with whatever was happening to him as well.
"W…hat… is… happ…ening!" Mark struggled to speak before finally passing out.
Rather than darkness though, something extraordinary began to happen. A system panel appeared in front of him, just like in the fantasy stories he reads every day.
"No fucking way. I must be dreaming after passing out from all that pain!" Mark sighed as he sat down and began to read what was written, considering it a lucid dream.
{System booting please hold}
{Downloading client…}
{Installing…}
{Loading Information…}
*Ding!*
{Welcome new user [Mark Tellin] to the apocalypse!}
{Congratulations on adapting to mana and avoiding mutation, as a reward you will receive a talent unique to you!}
{Received talent [Life Bestowal] please inspect the talent in [Status] to see information}
Staring at the information on the screen Mark decided to play along and thought [Status].
Immediately a new panel appeared in front of his face, making him smile in surprise.
"This dream is awesome, I've always wanted to be able to do this… feels good!"
{Status:
Name: Mark Tellin
Age: 18
Race: Lesser Human
Health: 10/ 10
Mana: 10/ 10
Title(s): None
Class: None
Sub-Class: None
Physique: 10
Spirit: 10
Core Density: Hollow (0%)
Mana Circuit: Beginner (Stage 1- 0%)
Innate Talent: [Life Bestowal]
Active Skill(s): None
Passive Skill(s): None
}
"Interesting… only two stats? Maybe I can look at them like it said I can with my talent." As Mark pondered, he focused on the word physique in his status menu.
{[Physique] is used to measure all things related to the body, be it agility, constitution, or strength. Physique can be strengthened through skills or by increasing [Mana Circuit]}
"Hmm… Simple design but it feels like it removes specialization? Maybe skills that focus on specific stats like agility can drop?"
As Mark pondered this, he looked at spirit next.
{[Spirit] is used to measure all things related to the mind and mana, be it intelligence, memory, thought processing, mana pool, or magic strength. Spirit can be strengthened by increasing [Core Density]}
"That makes sense, so it seems that keeping these two stats balanced is going to be pretty important. If I recklessly increase my physique my speed will be too fast and my mind won't keep up with it for example. Guess I'll look at how to train the Core Density and Mana Circuit next."
{[Core Density] Can be increased through cultivation; while stationary, you take in the ambient mana in the environment into your core. Once reaching 100% you need to compress the mana within the core to reach the next stage.
At the Hollow stage, your mana is gaseous.
At the Filling stage, your mana is a vapor.
At the Full stage, your mana is compressed into a liquid.
At the Condensing stage, your mana is compressed into a solid.
Higher tiers are locked from view.
{[Mana Circuit] Can be increased through killing monsters and absorbing their essence.
At Beginner level your body will have to go through 10 stages.
At Intermediate level your body will have to go through 10 stages.
At Advanced level your body will have to go through 10 stages.
At Master level your body will have to go through 10 stages.
Higher tiers are locked from view.
"Seems it is going to be pretty difficult to increase Mana Circuit compared to Core Density." Mark pondered as he excitedly looked at his next order of business.
"All right, next it's time for the main event!"
{[Life Bestowal]: Once per core stage and once per Mana Circuit level, allows the user to bestow life upon an inanimate object, giving it sentience. This object, with a will of its own will be able to train and grow like any other living being.
"Holy shit! That's amazing! It's sad I can only do it once per stage and level, but I can understand why." Mark smiled, thinking of all the possibilities for his skill.
Just as he finished up pondering, almost as if the system was waiting for him, it chimed with a new message.
{Please choose a class and sub-class}
{Classes}
[Archer]
[Warrior]
[Mage]
[Bard]
…
"Hmm… with the innate talent I have, the only real choice is a warrior. If I get a decent weapon and bestow it… hehehe." As Mark chuckled to himself he selected warrior and was brought to his next menu.
{Sub-classes}
[Alchemist]
[Cook]
[Rune Crafter]
[Blacksmith]
…
Looking through the list, the choice here was a lot more difficult than picking a main class. Finding something that will compliment his path was not easy.
"Ugh, this is hard! I think the best path I can choose is artificer. I can make accessories with it that I can sell in the early stages and If I ever make a really good one I can bestow it…" After much pondering Mark finally decided and clicked confirm.
{Class and subclass confirmed, distributing related skills.}
"Oho? I didn't even think about the skills. This is kind of exciting! Status." Mark enthusiastically said as he looked at the new panel in front of him.
{Status:
Name: Mark Tellin
Age: 18
Race: Lesser Human
Health: 10/ 10
Mana: 10/ 10
Title(s): None
Class: [Warrior]
Sub-Class: [Artificer]
Physique: 11
Spirit: 10
Core Density: Hollow (0%)
Mana Circuit: Beginner (Stage 1- 0%)
Innate Talent: [Life Bestowal]
Active Skill(s): [Slash]
Passive Skill(s): [Warrior's Body] [Nimble Fingers]
}
Looking at the new skills Mark decided to analyze them.
{[Slash] Sword is coated in mana as you slash, consumes at least one mana a hit.
[Warrior's body] Your body is 10% tougher.
[Nimble Fingers] Your fingers become more nimble, allowing for more dexterous work.}
"Alright! Now that that's over I believe it's time to test my innate talent!" Mark smiled widely as he turned to look at the only thing available to him in the void he found himself in.