[I am your system host! Second chance system, it is nice to meet you] The little boy bowed as they introduced themselves, a feeling of excitement is evident in their gestures.
"wha—" Ophelia wanted to ask what was going on before her attention was diverted when a bright blue screen appeared infront of her so called system.
[ Welcome back Ophelia, please read some of the information regarding your newly binded system.
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Creation number: 1594-M3.
Title name: Guide for the lost.
Code name: Moon
Gifted name: Archie] Most of the information was useless to Ophelia in her current situation, it only introduced the little boy or well her system in more detail, but there was nothing useful.
As silence grew into the space, Ophelia started to calm down at what is considered an alarming rate to normal people, yet is the norm for people that survived the apocalypse. Being calm and rational is a must when it comes to survival, a moment of carelessness will cost you your life afterall, either to the monsters lurking in the dark or by the companion that stands beside you in the light.
"Why am i here?" A tone filled with apprehension and wariness broke through the silence as Ophelia stood from her kneeling position, gaze trained onto her system that she had guessed to he called Archie from the details shown to her earlier.
Her gaze scrutinizing him to see if he was possibly a threat to her, but Archie only felt uncomfortable under her unwelcoming gaze as well as confused on why his host seems to be so guarded to him compared to other system hosts that accept their partnership beneficial.
[To answer the host, you have finished the assessment to bind with the system and been brought to the system space to see your results before being handed assignments to be finished!] The beeping sound came along with the message, but that answer only made Ophelia furrow her brows in confusion.
"You all just test people without their knowledge and forcibly bind us to do your bidding! is that it!?" Ophelia snapped at the boy, not softening her voice even though he looked like a child, who knows if its his actual form.
[Of course not host! The Bureau of Systems will never do such an immoral and illegal action!] Archie's answer came very swiftly, accompanied with a loud beeping noises as if showing a clear dissatisfaction at such an accusation.
It made Ophelia wince slightly as she covered her ears for a moment before noticing the noise didn't lessen but more like it rang inside her head, bringing her attention to how Archie never opened his mouth to speak with her, but it was more like telepathic communication. Making the hair on the back of her neck stand as it reminded her of spirit users that could kill anyone without a trace.
She quickly took a defensive stance that was engraved into her very soul in those 5 years in that hellish place, narrowing her eyes as she stared at the irritated boy stomping his feet and pouting. Preparing to protect herself if the boy decided to stop his act of being nice and show his true colors just like every single human in the apocalypse had.
Some might go ahead and attack the boy due to his weak appearance, or due to his irritation. Thinking it would be better to strike first to get an advantage, but that would be pure stupidity in this situation. Its clear that the person who hold the high ground in this situation wasn't her but the boy infront of her and... the one currently fuming like a child.
His manipulation of the surroundings, appearing out of thin air, having assess to her mind through a telepathic link, and unknown powers. Meanwhile, Ophelia knew she was in a great disadvantage with how she couldn't feel her wind ability anymore, forcing her to relax, not wanting to draw his ire.
"I didn't mean it that way, but to me thats exactly what it seems like. I have no memory that i was under assessment to be binded to a system, as you've called yourself" Her tone softened to be more approachable, hoping to calm the boys irritation, and most importantly find out what was going on.
The boy froze mid stomp as he slowly put his leg down, staring at Ophelia in surprise and then confusion. [Huh? That cannot be! Every soul that is picked to become a possible host is questioned and brief on what being a host entails!] A quick beep sounded along with the message, the boy frowned as he went over to the big blue screen that Ophelia recognized as the screen infront of her when she opened her eyes.
With a set of actions and typing from the boy as he pulled up the records that made Ophelia stiffen, seeing multiple videos, photos and files that showed ber entire life in her world. As she stared at the photos and videos that her sister appeared in, from a video of Eva's first steps, to her first day of school, and...a photo of when she had died.
Tears pricked Ophelia's eyes as she quickly willed herself not to cry and to harden her resolve before Archie turned to her, pointing at the file that covered the whole screen now.
[This is the contract you had sign the day before your assessment, So the bureau hasn't made a mistake and not inform you beforehand...] Archie started to explain to her, The contract clearly stated the deal that she was to be assessed on her level and skills to rank her correctly, and assign a correct system for her work. In exchange that if she passes, she wouldn't have to go into a cycle of rebirth and continue living as Ophelia Amana.
"But...I have no memory of such a deal" Ophelia told him straight, crossing her arms as she stared at the screen. There really was her signature as well as fingerprints on the contract, as well as video footage of a verbal agreement....'What if it was forged?'
[It is not forged host] Archie suddenly spoke, startling Ophelia as she stared at him wide eyed. She was sure she didnt blurt that out loud.
[As your system host i am able to hear your thoughts, and at the problem of your memory i would be needing to report to the main system on this problem] He kindly explained to her but Ophelia only felt irritated as it was basically an invasion of privacy.
"Are you kidding me right now?" Ophelia frowned, showing her displeasure at this whole situation as she glared at the him.
[Of course not host, I apologize in advance as this unforeseen problem seems to have brought issues for you] Archie bowed his head slightly in embarrassment as he spoke for the first time in a small voice to show that he was sincerely sorry about the grievance that Ophelia must be feeling right now, his very first host is already having problems before even starting her tasks! The seniors and other systems are going to tease him about this later! °՞(ᗒᗣᗕ)՞°
'I cant have that happen! I must be useful to my host!' Archie thought to himself, as he wracked his brains to help Ophelia while they wait for a reply from the main system.
Ophelia couldn't help but soften at his words, looking down at the boy who looked no younger than 8 reminded her of eva. How she too hung her head down when she felt embarrassed, Ophelia habitually reached her hand out to pat his head before quickly taking her hand back when Archie raised his head.
[Host! You can ask me about anything your confused on! i will answer to the best of my abilities] Archie started to speak, staring at Ophelia with shining eyes as he puts a chubby hand over his chest like he was promising to do something serious. But it looked too cute when an 8 year old boy does it with such a serious expression, it was like a child acting like an adult.
"Pft-" Ophelia turned her head to the side as she covered up the laugh that slipped out as she cleared her throat, making Archie tilt his head in confusion at her actions. Shaking her head slightly as to let her refocus on the matter at hand.
"You will answer any of my questions?" Ophelia asked as she raised her eyebrow before speaking again in a more icy tone. "How do I know you are telling me the truth?"
[...Does the host have any other choice but to believe that it is the truth?] Archie tilted his head in a naive manner, but his words felt like icy water dumbed on her head as well as sounding threatening to Ophelia as she thought it was a warning.
Ophelia stiffened for a moment before forcibly calming down, She really didn't have no other choice but to believe him. As she had no way to prove he wasn't telling the truth, but the fact he hadn't inflicted any harm onto her gave her a bit of reassurance(it wasn't much though).
"I guess not..." She muttered under her breath as she sighed in defeat. "First question, what does binding with you entails?" Ophelia started to ask her questions one by one, which Archie answered patiently each time. But when there are questions that he couldn't answer or wasn't permitted to answer...well, he would just change the subject much to Ophelia's annoyance.
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"Alright lastly, How do i block certain thoughts from you?" Ophelia asked quickly, this matter was very important to her right now as she's been trying her hardness not to think about anything offensive or rude for fear that Archie would hear ,which could possibly upset him and lead to her downfall.
Fortunately Archie didn't mind such a question as he would've still taught her how to block him from certain parts of her mind, since everyone must have their privacy.
With His instructions Ophelia successfully built a mental barrier around her mind, only thoughts that she wanted him to be heard was still assessable. And so now that Ophelia had all of her questions answered plus spent her time with Archie, she came to a new conclusion on her situation.
She had essentially made a contract to whatever organization that systems are in, in exchange to continue living as herself instead of reincarnating to become an entirely different person. Archie, her system would not harm her in anyway unless she breaks laws that that the main system had put down which made her relax completely.
And her system....acted really similar to child pretending to be an adult, that was a main factor why she let herself relax...and the fact she was really tired. The fighting, collapse of society, cruelty of the apocalypse, and her ending with Eva in that world... It really made her exhausted.
Before she could wallow in her sadness, a sudden light flashed on the big blue screen that she now knows as the system interface making her close her eyes for a second, before opening them again to see Archie infront of the system interface opening a message from what Ophelia presumed was from the main system.
[Host please come look!] Archie called out to her, waving his small hand to make her hurry up and see what was in the message.
'Really like a child' Ophelia smiled slightly as she stepped closer, steeling herself on what trouble was coming for her.
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Little theater:
Ophelia: *Sigh* The Bureau of Systems must be a shady organization and playing with people's lives just to bind them into work, tsk tsk.
Archie: Its a misunderstanding! a misunderstanding!!!