I opened my eyes up to a bright sunlight shining down on my face. This place.
This place was unfamiliar... I guess the 'Scribe' wasn't actually lying. Getting my disoriented thoughts together, I looked around, hoping to get more information as to where I was.
I was in a room adorned with black walls, paintings that took the word 'emo' a little bit too seriously and all the other things you would find in a teenage boy's room.
I noticed a watch wrapped around my wrist. The moment I looked at the watch, it lit up and opened up to an email screen. Looking at it a bit more closely, it read…
"Dear Kieran, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to the Bastion Academy for the upcoming academic year. Congratulations!
We were impressed by your application and believe that you have the potential to become a great hero and protector of Earth. As a student of the Bastion Academy, you will receive the best education and training to develop your abilities and hone your skills. You will also have the opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals and form lasting friendships.
Please note that your acceptance is conditional upon your fulfillment of all admission requirements, including the submission of all necessary documentation and payment of the required fees. You will receive further instructions on how to proceed with these steps in a separate email.
Once again, congratulations on your acceptance to the Bastion Academy. We look forward to welcoming you to our community of heroes-in-training!
Sincerely,
The Admissions Team
The Bastion"
"Huh." I spoke aloud to myself in mock surprise. I exited the email and checked the follow-up email they sent. I looked through it and decided I would finish it later.
I pulled the bedsheets off me, and got up to look at myself in the large mirror.
I looked like I was six foot one, with a build that was more athlete than model. My skin had the warmth of cocoa, but my yellow eyes were clear and direct, with a gaze that could unnerve a room. My jawline was pronounced and sturdy, but my game face crumbled as soon as I realized my predicament. "Damn" was all I could say. If only I were back in my old world, I could get some work as a model.
While white hair would've surprised me in my old world, I was in my own novel. A novel in where you could probably find multiple people with heterochromia on the same street.
Ignoring my looks, I looked for a bathroom. Without struggling much, I found the bathroom and entered to take a shower. After the shower I would contemplate about my future, but for now I needed a shower… badly.
————
After a shower, I looked through the closet before settling on a dark gray turtleneck that hugs me in all the right places and is made of a soft material. To go with this, I donned a pair of black skinny jeans that look both classic and modern. Lastly, I completed the ensemble with a pair of black leather boots that match the vibe perfectly.
"Huh". This person actually has good taste in clothing. Just as I was done dressing up, a dark screen popped up in front of me from the watch…
Author's System
-------------------------------------
Objective: Change the ending of the novel.
Author's Omniscience: 0/7
Author's Points (AP): 0
Items: - Author's Pen (AP cost: ???)
Note: As you progress and gain Author's Points, you may be able to unlock new abilities under Author's Omniscience. Use the author's pen wisely.
"Ah, so this is when the system makes its appearance. While I didn't expect the system, it is something that can prove to be useful."
Though, I want to change the end of the novel. It wouldn't happen soon, and I wasn't stupid to think I could change the ending of the novel without being strong enough.
Anyway, in my novel there was a universal system. This system would display your rank, stats and ability. That would mean I had 2 systems. Just like the main character. Comparatively, speaking, I and the protagonist's systems were very different. Keith's system was the thing that kept him as the main character.
I checked my watch, and it opened up with Face ID, there was an app on the watch that read 'System'.
I clicked on the app and it opened.
User System
-------------------------------------
Name: Kieran Doyle
Rank: F+
Stats:
Strength: 20
Endurance: 50
Agility: 21
Intelligence: 15
Charm: 9
Ability: Chronokinesis (Level 2 | Proficiency: 300)
Profession: Swordsman
Yep, that's to be expected. Since I wasn't a main character, I wouldn't have crazy stats anyway. Though, this chronokinesis ability was a bit unexpected.
Naturally, since I had to develop abilities for the characters in my novel, I had come across the chronokinesis ability. I had thought it would be too broken, but it looks like I had gotten it this time across.
In order to get stronger in my novel. People would have to go out into dungeons and towers and kill monsters. Their proficiency increased whenever they used their abilities, but there were ways to get stronger without visiting dungeons and towers.
There were training rooms that would simulate dungeon and tower environments, but that way of getting stronger was slower.
You could also get stronger by just training. Like using your abilities on test dummies. As for getting your stats up, you could do the basic workout or get relics from dungeons to increase your stats.
Besides that, I opened up the email app and opened the email in where I had to submit documents. I clicked on the icon on the top right and gave them my biometrics. I found out I had my official documents. Just like I had hoped. I clicked on the 'Submit' button just as a beep sound came from the watch. A message appeared on the screen, 'Documents Received'. That was easy.
Just as I submitted the email. I got another from The Bastion. It read…
"Dear Kieran, We hope this email finds you well.
This is to confirm that we have received all the necessary documents and fees required for your admission to Bastion Academy. Your application has been accepted, and we are excited to have you as a student in the upcoming academic year.
Please be advised that the academy dorms are available for check-in starting three days prior to the start of the academic year. We highly recommend that you check in as early as possible to get settled and familiarize yourself with the campus. You will need to present a copy of this email and your ID card at the dormitory office to get your keys and complete the check-in process.
As a reminder, the academic year starts in two weeks, so please ensure that you arrive at the academy and complete the check-in process before then. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to seeing you at Bastion Academy! Best regards,
The Admissions Team
The Bastion"
Was this email automated? How could have they sent the email as soon as I submitted the documents. Maybe they had someone waiting for him to submit the email?
Anyway, the email said I needed an ID. I had no idea where my idea was, but the usual spot for an ID would be a wallet, so that's where I looked first.
I quickly found the wallet on a nightstand. I looked inside and behold, the ID was there. I put the wallet in my pocket and grabbed the keys that were on the nightstand.
I left the condo and locked the doors. I took an elevator down and exited the apartment.
I took a breath of the outside environment. The surroundings were beautiful, better than anything he had ever seen back in his world.
The sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon, its warm rays painting the sky in vibrant hues of pink and orange.
Looking around, I opened up my watch and opened the maps up. I searched up 'The Bastion' and it showed me the directions.
I followed the directions and hopped on a train that was conveniently located nearby. I sat in the train and looked out the window. Slowly, I saw the scenery change from tall buildings to meadows and water. The journey took over two hours, but I did not mind. I enjoyed the changing landscape, which was a strange mix of nature and industry.
And finally the train reached its destination. I got off the train and walked towards the Bastion following the instructions of maps app.
I arrived at The Bastion and my jaw dropped. It was an enormous, compact fortress, guarded by one tall, thick wall after another. Its tall, silver-painted sandstone walls seemed to stretch on for miles. I could not see how long it stretched because I could not see the end of the towering walls. It was like a human military fortress.
With minimal steps, I walked towards The Bastion, the setting of most of my novel and the place where the protagonists stayed…