--Kornelius POV---
[link to the prototype class system established]
[error detected. Data receiving only. Attempting to repair link... estimated time 56 minutes to complete]
He was receiving status reports and analysing them in real time. An amazing feat indeed.
Tom's system was in disrepair. It has entered in a safe mode which was fine. System was requesting a maintenance protocol procedure, but was lacking its reserve buffer. Well he knew where all reserves were spent. So it needed an outside essence supplement. And he couldn't send from his own because the stupid link was receiving only mode.
He sighed. Should wait for 50 minutes for the link repairs…
Kornelius focused on the data that was coming in..
[Tom has been attacked by unknown demon]
"What impossible, was their infiltration discovered?" No, very less likely. It was actually a demon born and evolved from its larvae state. He focused on damage telemetry. Physical damage was not severe but Tom was suffering soul damage…
"The bastard is after his soul" Kornelius bit his nails in distress.
[Tom has cast consume]
Kornelius focused on stream of the spell telemetry data.
His eyes watered…
-"It works. The 'demon essence converter" WORKED!"
Every single bit of data confirmed the expected variables. Now Kornelius was crying of happiness. Seeing his creation live and kicking was intoxicating.
[Tom has failed to cast "exorcise"]
"huh?" ..ah it's just a lack of mana problem. He was worried the annihilator module was at the wrong.
.....
[Tom has failed to cast "exorcise"]
"Hah!, another lack of mana problem.
"Is Tom stupid or what" Kornelius thought. And right this moment he remembered that there was a enemy over 20 levels higher facing Tom. He bit his nails again.
….
[Tom has failed to cast "exorcise"]
-"A Range issue"
…
[Tom has failed to cast "exorcise"]
-"Huh, now the safety locks??"
….
[Tom has cast "EXORCISE"]
-"Holy tits of Aphrodite. He did it".
He again focused on the spell telemetry. It worked ok. Needed few tweaks here and there but overall, the Annihilator core was another grand success. If Tom was here Kornelius would be hugging him in joy, but as the room was empty he settled of rolling on the ground shouting loud incomprehensive stuff. Just like a mad dog or rabid demon…
It took about 20 minutes for Kornelius to regain his sanity.
He refocused on data received.
Apparently, Tom had suffered a medium soul burn. This happens often to the inexperienced arcanists, trying to bite more than they can handle.
-"Hmm his soul condition is kind of bad. He needs healing".
[unified system: Your pet has slain a lvl 24 rabid mantis]
-"hahaha" laughed Kornelius. As a [system architect] he knew the system is not perfect albeit close. It has its back doors and alternative approaches as he liked to name the glitches. It was easy to tweak the prototype system to emit a semi-sentient beast signature allowing Kornelius to register Tom as his pet. All rewards are being granted to him as the pet owner, but he could easily transfer them to Tom via their shared link. A perfect solution for not quite authorised experiment.
[unified system: You have received 2 400 SU]
Kornelius was flabbergasted. He knew the system awarded demon fighting generously. But that much in just a short time. A few months hard work income in an instant. He calculated what will Tom need to finish the maintenances- about 1000 SU. That left him with 1400 SU. He opened system shop and looked at the staggering list of skills and spells. He set the filter for "healing spell"
….
The massive list of available purchases dropped to few thousands.
Next filter changed from "my-self" to "others" cut the list in half again.
He looked at the top priced skills with envy. They cost in the range of hundreds of thousands SU.
He shook his head and set the maximum price filter to 1400 SU
The list shrank to about 50 spells. Only two of those had option to repair soul damage albeit miniscule. He marked "Lesser Holy light" as ready for purchase and checked its description for last time. No errors when spending big are allowed he reminded himself.
[Lesser Holly light 1100 SU – Heals designated target for 10 HP and repairs 1 soul damage. Removes minor demon related afflictions. Cast time – very fast. Costs 30 Mana. Cooldown 10 minutes]
Kornelius checked his mana : 120. It was pitiful, but as a [system architect] he put most of his free stat points towards the "Intelligence". Anyway, considering the spell cost, cool down and his mana regeneration he could spawn the spell non-stop.
[Purchase accepted. Thank you Kornelius]
Seven hours later Kornelius slumped in his chair. After his link was operational, he transferred the remaining 1300 SU to Tom. His system immediately began the maintenance. What startled him was that it took him twice the expected casts of healing to repair Tom's soul. He would have to wait for Tom to activate his system, so he can make a proper scan. Kornelius eyes closed and he drifted to sleep. It was a way too much of drama for the poor researcher for a single day.
--- Tom Taylor POV---
Tom opened his eyes. He was laying on the ground on his back. He saw pink flowered tree swaying his leaves above. Little blossoms were slowly falling down in a graceful dance. The sun has probably risen recently as it was still not very bright. Tom took few moments to enjoy the peaceful and idyllic sight. He felt good, invigorated, may be little thirsty and hungry but nothing was hurting. Just feeling thirsty reminded him that he was back in the land of living. If someone told him this was possible a week ago he would have called him a lunatic. But here he was- laying on the soft grass in a public park, in a different world, enjoying the nature. He was fine, to think he almost died from a terrible monster last night.
"Wait a minute, The Demon" Tom squeaked with a melodious gentle voice. He shot in sitting position and quickly scanned the surroundings… Nothing. All clear.
He decided to check his wound. It should get treatment or it may get infected. He pulled his skirt up, to find his leg in perfect condition, may be little skinny but nothing, not even a scar.
"WAIT!" Tom's mind quickly processed some of the disturbing facts.
Small Pink shoes, slender hands and legs, soft and gentle skin and a pleasant but not a masculine voice… And A SKIRT!
" I've got a bloody skirt" He squeaked in shock. He quickly covered his mouth not believing the voice is his own doing.
"No way. NO way, NO faking way" he kept repeating the mantra as he slid his arm under his skirt.
"Its gone. Gone!" He checked again – Nothing. Well there was something down there but not the one he was looking for...
"Kornelius, what have you done you incompetent, stupid birdman" "I will kick your moronic ass all the way to…."
What followed was a long tirade of curses, screams and shouts.
Eventually Tom slumped on the grass breathing heavy.
-"How am I supposed to fight demons with this body? It looks so weak and fragile. How am I going to escort Caroline and Cristine in an apocalyptic war zone safely to the extraction point?"
Tom felt true despair. His mind kept working, he had a high disposition of critical and logic approach of a problem trained years in solving complicated engineering issues.
-"I have magic now. I could be the next Harry potter!"
He looked down at his moderate breasts. Put a hand over his left boob and squeezed. His hand reported a soft and squishy feeling- he was quite familiar with it. But his boob reported to his brain an alien and unknown sensation.
-"More like those magical girls in Cristine's room posters" He snickered on his own joke.
He clasped his hands on his cheeks to prevent another fit of rage and screams.
"Seriously those two spell I have cast looked quite powerful. The "exorcise" spell is like an ultimate one hit kill stuff. The demon looked strong.Very, very strong and yet it vanished in a blink. I don't know what 'consume' spell exactly does, though? I should check it out
"hmm system… ahm show status? said Tom
Blue screen popped up immediately. Tom pushed his hand trough it but I passed as it was just a projection of some kind.
-"fascinating"
[Maintenance complete. All system modules functional]
[Proceed with system initialisation? Yes/no]
-"Yes"
[safe mode disabled]
[initialising …38..42.46…50…. 100%]
[Welcome User]
Name: Akira Ryo; Age 16 ;Sex: FemaleSoul Type: B- (soul gestalt);Blood line : please slect ⇑
Level: 1; Class: Exorcist; Class Rank : HeroClass Type : Unique/UNREGISTERED/
Affiliation: None; Sponsor: Kornelius /dual link/; [unified system]: Not registered.
Atributes:
Strenght: 4 ; Swiftness : 5 (4); Vitality: 4 ; Intelligence: 8; Soul: 10 (7)
Class spells/Skills
True sight (passive)(RARE)
Soul Fortress (passive) (RARE)
Consume (active) (UNIQUE)
Exorcise (active) (UNIQUE)
/empty slot/
General Spells/Skills
Mundane engineering; Mundane Science
HP: 40/40; Mana:100/100 ;Soul defence : 100
Available attribute points: 0
Tom examined the blue box table and spent several minutes to examine its aspects in details.
System called him Akira Ryo
"Sounds like a Japanese. May be I am in Japan or whatever version is in Terra. Hmm, Akira.? Sounds familiar, but its fine and even cool. Ryo should be my family name. So I am Akira Ryo now. Huh..Well Tom Tailor died in Earth can't argue that"
"(Gender female) Well System, I can see that by myself, no need to remind me! See, SEE! I've got a full package: a pair of tits and a vvv…vagINAA. Oh dear"
Tom was once again severely distressed. He took a full breath in and slowly released.
"I have to stop overreacting every time. What's done is done. I just need to adjust. I still have my goals, got' a focus on what is important. Step by step Tom, if situation is too complicated - break it at its building blocks. There you have to solve more approachable problems". The experienced engineer spoke into his mind.
Tom decided to put his body status in a box. Then throw the box in the depths of his mind. He knew it is not healthy, but situation required his full attention. He should not be distracted by secondary problems. After all he proved last night that he was able to obliterate a powerful demon in his current state.