As the various white text with purple backing quickly filled my vision it vanished just as fast. My eyes began to open and my mother was standing next to me.
"What happened"
My mother grabbed onto her fluttering cloak and held it to her side while lowering herself and sitting next to me in the grass.
"I have activated the world system for you. It is the way in which the people of this world can perform feats like magic through the use of skills."
As she spoke I felt absolute confusion wash over me. It must have been apparent because with a light smile "Do not worry, things will become clear in time. First you must call forth your mana."
"My Mana?" I wasn't unfamiliar with the term. Being bed bound most of my previous life things like books, video games or shows were my closest hope of experiencing life and I was no stranger to the fantasy section. Yet I have no memories in this life of mana being discussed, though after earlier, it's hard to know if this is more of a secret or a memory situation.
"Yes, your mana" she spoke "Along with pumping blood, when your heart beats it releases two types of energy. One energy is internal, that is mana, it stores up within us over time and eventually can be released in the form of magic. Because you have been untouched by mana up to this point you were simply unaware."
"Untouched by mana" I quickly chimed in
"Yes" she nodded "It is one of the various ways in which a person can become tied to the world system. But the process of forming one such tie is sometimes dangerous due to how much strain it places on the body and soul alike. For children any younger than yourself the chances of fatality begin to rise quite sharply." she then chuckled softly "to be honest the fact we are speaking now is rather surprising. Even as gifted as we Elves are, the age of 10 is still considered too young by many. More often than not most children collapse as you did. The only difference is they are usually in a frail, even coma like state afterwards. In fact Louse and Aela should be arriving soon with the intention of carrying you home. You must have quite a strong heart Elly" she smiled.
"So how do I do it?!" I looked at her with a serious expression still slightly lightheaded
"Pardon?" she looked thrown off
"The world system, mana, how do I use it?"
With a smile of pride "Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. As you open them, feel the blood flow within your body and clearly think the word 'Appraise'.".
I quickly followed her instructions and as soon as my eyes finished opening I clearly and firmly thought to myself 'Appraise'.
Instantly a warmness formed in my chest.
"Can you see it, Elly?"
"Yeah... I can..."
It sat clearly in my vision. A slightly translucent purple window with white text overlaid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name: Elwen Vinswain
Race: ?!?!/High Elf
Mana: 700/1000
Ki: 100%
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Current Classes: N/A
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Effects: N/A
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Titles:
[Freyja's Patron]
[Elven Noble]
[Vinswain]
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It was clear as day. I moved my head slowly yet it stayed centered in my vision. Though it wasn't completely blinding it made it hard to see what was happening around me. As I stared at the text I couldn't help but think 'It almost looks like a video game'.
As I drift into a daze staring at the text that centered itself in my vision I was pulled back to reality by my mother
"Elly?.. Are you okay?"
As I heard her voice my vision refocused to her and the text that once covered my vision vanished, it must be reliant on concentration, noted.
"Yes mother, there's just something about my status I don't understand." I looked at her with a serious yet puzzled face.
"My Race being '?!?!/High Elf"
As if she had expected this question my mother breathed a soft sigh and with a slightly sad inflection "Though I loved your father dearly, there were many things about him I did not know a majority of his past being one. Do you know why we live alone, Elly?" she looked at me with a sad face
Though I had the memory of her and my grandfather fighting about exile it was something I was never meant to hear, so I simply shook my head no as and stared at her
"Calamities. It is a term used loosely but is typically referenced to things of great destruction. The term of calamity can be given to anything from natural disasters and items, to magical beasts and people. Your father and I along with many others once killed such a beast" as she slowly grabbed the wooden box she gifted to me
"Its name was Survivor of All. The beast had a unique ability of being able to analyze and adapt to any kind of magic or non magic attack in a mere instant allowing it to survive flurries of high level attacks like they were nothing. Releasing a counter attack, changing its skin, you name it. After claiming the lives of countless notable fighters and a few small towns the High Elven Council along with the backing of Dwarven gear launched a full scale assault against the beast. It was a horror of untold proportion and for many, a suicide mission. Through sheer luck we beat it after several days of constant combat. In the end the beast's body warped and vanished with all that remained being a ring, a calamity class item."
"Bind"
As she spoke a liquid light began to seep from my mothers palms and onto the box. It wrapped around its entirety in a single line before a small flash happened. The wooden box now had two small hinges on its back and a golden clasp on the front. Lifting the clasp she opened the box to reveal a ring. It was made out of obsidian that seemed to not reflect the light above, but absorb it.
"It is called The Ring of Loki, and through time and training, it will become your greatest weapon"