Anabella looks at Ben as if he has lost his mind. In Ben's head comes the reply, "Hello, I am your personal aid system, pas for short. I am your reward for completing your quest."
"Um Anabella my system is talking to me. Is this normal or am I crazy?" " I don't know. I don't think so. Is this your reward for completing your quests? Ask what it can do?" and so Ben asks the pas what it can do.
"I can retrieve information for you that you once read or saw. Even if you have forgotten it already. I can also sort out your system and give you better explanations of skills or other general questions. I can only answer questions that are considered general knowledge or knowledge you have already learned."
"Okay that sounds good, but um can I communicate with you non verbally. I feel weird talking to the air." "You can also talk to me mentally. Ask me a question and I can answer you. I can also take on a physical form in the form of an incantation, but this will cost you constant mana." Ben replies " Okay and how do I summon you."
As he says this, a cricket about 10 cm tall appears in front of him. This one is wearing a top hat and a fancy suit. "Pas is that you?" asks Ben but the cricket bows to the dryad and ignores Ben "Hello Guardian of the Forest nice to meet you. I am Ben's personal aid system or pas for short." The dryad raises her hand to her mouth and replies " Oh a gentleman. I'm Anabella."
Ben a little annoyed at being ignored says " Hey pas I have a few questions for you. How about you help me out. YOU know about aid system and stuff?" The cricket turns around and now also bows to Ben " As you wish. What would you like to know?"
"Mhh several questions. Are you a real person? What do you mean arrange my skills? Is that all you can do or can you do several things besides answering questions for me and sorting my system."
The pas replies " No I am not a real person. You have already gained the knowledge and so I can explain a little more to you. My character refers to one of the soul fragments. Which one exactly I am not allowed to tell you. What do you mean by "just" answering questions? That skill alone is more valuable than any weapon or other skill.
Knowledge is power my friend. The pen is mightier than the sword. You can learn so many skills and knowledge through your heart cards, but can you keep it to yourself? Imagine you want to make potions, but you don't know exactly how much of each ingredient you need? No problem, because yours truly can give you the solution. You want to make a new potion but you are not sure about the ingredients? yours truly has the solution. You see I am much more and i forbid you to talk to me like that.
Back to the topic about Organising. Organising is a handy solution. I can group different skills together. You have tried this before but failed miserably. If you use this feature properly, it can help immensely. I can also keep you updated on quests and level ups. If you hadn't achieved three hidden objectives you would have only had the order ability.
So consider yourself lucky that you have me now, for I will make your life easier and for that I ask for nothing except to be dignified with decency, which is my due." The cricket says the last sentence with his chin lifted towards the sky. `Okay thanks hero system for this "great reward". Others may get great skills or cool swords and I get an egocentric cricket.` Ben thinks to himself and yet the cricket looks him in the eye and gives him the middle finger.
"I can read your mind Ben, as long as you don't shield it against the system. How else do you think telepathy would work to communicate with me. I must say you are a very naughty, rowdy young man. I think one of my extra duties should be to teach you decorum and manners." Ben's right eye twitches.
He has just been reprimanded by a 10 cm cricket in a suit. Anabella finds this incredibly funny. The latter laughs loudly and lifts her stomach with her left hand. Anabella laughs for a whole 2 minutes until she comes to her senses.
"Sorry, but the picture you two are giving is too funny. A 'special' boy being reprimanded by his little cricket friend." The cricket and Ben both raise their eyebrows and Anabella starts laughing again.
"Okay I definitely know who you got your eye habits from. From the same soul fragment where the cricket got its character. This seems to have been a person who doesn't know how to hide his facial expressions."
The trio are chatting about a few things when Ben says "pas can I give you a nickname? Calling you pas all the time sounds dumb. How about the name Jimmy?" pas shrugs
"You can call me whatever you like. Whether pas, Jimmy or master of all knowledge and most beautiful being in the world. Although I like the latter best." Ben just shakes his head " Okay let's stick with the short name Jimmy.
Can you actually make yourself invisible or do I have to banish you every time people are around who aren't supposed to know you exist." Jimmy thinks for a moment before answering, "I can decide who can see me or not. I also cannot be hurt. This body is a construct of mana. If I get hurt, the body dissolves and you have to call me again.
I see myself more as a teacher than a fighter, so don't expect me to support you in battle. I am a guide after all." "Okay thanks I get it. Shouldn't that make our daily study sessions easier Anabella? I read through it once and Jimmy the mega brain remembers everything for me?"
Anabella is about to answer but the cricket is quicker " Argh you are a fool. Can't you think further than a corner? That's a horrible idea. I am more like an encyclopaedia and not your brain itself. Imagine you're talking to Anabella, who is a real beauty if I may say so, and every time she asks you a question it takes you several seconds to answer, wouldn't you look like a fool?
No, that's not how it works. That would reflect badly on me. You study hard and I help you when you have questions or can't think of something." Ben groaned softly. His dream of simple knowledge shatters.
So the day slowly draws to a close. Ben has made a new friend, even if he is a little special. Training would also begin tomorrow. No more quiet evenings, starting tomorrow Ben would have to give his best.