It had been three weeks since Grey was reincarnated in this bizarre and distant world known as Magica.
Even then, apart from impulsively saving the abandoned Princess of the Holy Empire of Lumenasia, Grey's purpose in moving forward was still unclear as though his future still lingered in a murky mist—something yet to subside and to be cleared.
Everything still felt surreal. However, with the short time he had been with the little Princess, along with the unbelievable things he had witnessed so far, Grey eventually accepted his new reality as someone different; something with alien biology but with a human heart and mind.
Presently, after a week since the little verbal scuffle against the little Princess because of Soul Core H+ DNA, Grey began learning the inner features of the Anon Oriken while the abandoned girl continued with her daily routine provided by the modified Extraterrestrial System.
In front of him, as he sat in a dark green metallic chair, several monitors were incessantly showing every movement within the alien ship aside from Princess Quintella's private lodge.
Electricity was never needed to power the entire space disc; only the Anon Oriken Core alone was enough, which possessed self-regulating mysterious energy that seemed eternal unless it was disassembled or damaged through any possible means.
With that said, Grey tried to look for any possible loopholes or weaknesses in the spacecraft as he spoke quite loud, "Krishnaya, are there any weaknesses that might harm the Anon Oriken?"
In less than a second upon processing his question, the Extraterrestrial System responded,
[Master, I have insufficient information regarding the possible harmful weapons that might penetrate the Anoboid walls of the spacecraft. However, I can assure you that even if such a thing exists, we still have the advantage because of the Vibration Level; something that we can manipulate.]
Hearing the talks about [Vibration Level], Grey was reminded of his updated Status Window, which was still subject to change depending on the variables yet to be encountered beyond the Mystic Veil.
He then inspected it, saying, "Show me what's new in my Status."
Ding!
——————————————
Name: Grey
Age: 21 Y.O.
Birthdate: Abril 05, [—]
Race: [Unidentified] [Mutant]
Societal Status: Anon Scientist
Vibration Level: 60
Soul Core: Dark
Element: Darkness
Soul Rank: [—]
Specialization (Field of Authority): [To be decided]
Alien Skills: [] Alien Archive, [] Beyond Sense, [] Body Transformation, [] DNA Modification, [] Echolocation, [] Swift Feet, [] Universal Language
Extraterrestrial Points: 0
Extraterrestrial Store: Founder
ETS–Evaluation: [Savior of the abandoned Princess of the Holy Empire of Lumenasia; Sole operator of the Anon Oriken Spacecraft.]
ETS–Remarks: [You have taken your first few steps to make yourself known to the world.]
——————————————
"My head's freaking spinning... Is this the updated mixed-up of my information as someone with the Extraterrestrial System combined with this world's standards?
"By the way, that's a rhetorical question. Just explain to me anything you find noticeable or strange and give me the reference on whose skull did you acquire this information." Grey said; his right hand on his chin as his right index finger intermittently tapped his right cheek.
Krishnaya then began explaining why the year of his birth was not included in his status—it was because the calendar in this world was different, and that forging one's birth and background was the Extraterrestrial System's recommended action before blending into society.
Moving on, to explain the other things concisely and formally, Krishnaya informed him through system format.
Ding!
[Soul Rank—the quality of existence, which can be achieved through fixed methods based on the information acquired through Count Gildeus' life history via the Alien Archive: Devourer Dimension.]
[Soul Rank is classified into nine (9)—from 0 to 8—However, even someone like Count Gildeus only belonged to Rank 3, generally known as Karmic Soul according to the standards of the Holy Empire of Lumenasia.]
[Soul Rank—Classification (Incomplete)]
[] RANK 0: Dormant Soul
[] RANK 1: Novice Soul
[] RANK 2: Blessed Soul
[] RANK 3: Karmic Soul
[] RANK 4: Founded Soul
[] RANK 5: Serene Soul
[] RANK 6: Grand Soul
[] RANK 7: (Information NOT found)
[] RANK 8: (Information NOT found)
[Possible Cause: Count Gildeus does not possess the authority to be thoroughly aware of such information. In other words, the existences that reached what has yet to be defined are something that he only had heard of and been told about, which can also be considered as mere rumors.]
Reading these, Grey fell into contemplation. After like a minute or two, he then asked, "Krishnaya... I've noticed the fixed methods to raise one's Soul Rank on the information you've revealed. Tell me what they are."
[Yes, Master.]
Ding!
[Soul Core—Rank + Method of Evolution (Incomplete)]
[] RANK 0: Dormant Soul + Oriforce Cultivation
[] RANK 1: Novice Soul + Blessed Heart
[] RANK 2: Blessed Soul + Weight of Deeds
[] RANK 3: Karmic Soul + Self-Covenant
[] RANK 4: Founded Soul + Soul Isolation
[] RANK 5: Serene Soul + Grand Technique Invention
[] RANK 6: Grand Soul + (Information NOT found)
[] RANK 7: (Information NOT found)
[] RANK 8: (Information NOT found)
As Grey silently read everything, Krishnaya briefly explained the method for Soul Core evolution.
Hearing this, Grey muttered, "Ah, so if I'm Rank 0, I need to cultivate the mysterious Oriforce to reach Rank 1. In the same way, from Rank 1, I need the so-called Blessed Heart to raise my Soul Core to the subsequent rank... I get the gist of it. However..."
Sensing what her Master was about to say, Krishnaya interjected,
[Yes, Master. The amount of cultivated Oriforce to raise one's Soul Rank is something unquantifiable. However, the method to cultivate the natural force of this world, one must absorb the monsters' essence known as Ori Shard—for weak, low-intelligent monsters—and Ori Core—for intermediate rank monsters and above, which is NOT guaranteed.]
She then added,
[Based on Count Gildeus' life history, specifically his Soul Core Evolution from having a Dormant Soul to a Novice Soul, he absorbed 10,000 Ori Shards by crushing it in his hands.]
"That's a lot, I must say." Grey contemplated the information as he heard Krishnaya's voice.
[Moreover, Master, it seems the Oriforce Cultivation is a vital part of raising one's Soul Rank. Based on Count Gildeus' memories, from Novice Soul to Blessed Soul, he consumed 20,000 Ori Shards before the Blessed Heart—a mythical heart rarely found in this world's dungeons.]
"Twenty thousand? Don't you think that's just absurd? It's equivalent to killing 20,000 low-intelligent monsters... Then, does it mean, apart from Weight of Deeds to advance from Blessed Soul to Karmic Soul, he had absorbed 30,000?" Grey spilled his assumption.
It was then...
Ding!
[The method of cultivation can be classified into two: (1) Soul-related Breathing, and (2) Ori Essence Absorption.]
On the one hand, the former pertained to the action of meditation upon having learned a skill related to Oriforce natural absorption. On the other hand, the Ori Essence Absorption stated that a monster's essence could be consumed by destroying it with one's own hands.
[Master, one Ori Core is equivalent to 1,000 Ori Shards.]
"I guess that's good news since finding and killing that huge number of monsters would be tiring and proving difficult. " Grey said as the discussion continued between him and the one tied to his very existence.
"Okay, tell me more."
After finishing to study academically and practically the inner structures and features of the Anon Oriken spacecraft for a week with Krishnaya's guidance, he began to focus on his own condition and the little Princess.
With that said, as he traversed and stayed in this magical world day by day, a certain thrilling purpose was blooming within his subconscious.
***
Interior of the Anon Oriken, Sector Princess, Princess Quintella's lodging.
"Sigh, Honey Mallows! I–I feel like Mister is mad at me... Help me. Huhu!" Sitting at the edge of her queen-size bed, which was transformed from Anoboids based on her desire, Princess Quintella grumbled.
[Master Grey is not mad, Princess. He was just occupied observing and operating the spacecraft.]
Hearing this, Princess Quintella slumped on her bed before letting out an expressive sigh.
"I was selfish... and acted immature." She muttered; the air was her other listener.
Recalling her outburst of emotion upon learning the existence of Soul Core H+ DNA, the crimson-eyed girl facepalmed.
"I haven't considered Mister's feelings and just acted impulsively... I–I am in the wrong. Argh!"
Out of frustration, Princess Quintella rolled on her bed as she subconsciously caught a pillow.
"Wh–what should I do, Honey Mallows..?" She tiredly muttered.
After listening to her grumblings like a true nine-year-old child, the modified Extraterrestrial System finally responded in a voice that also sounded similar to a little girl of her age,
[If there is something you can do... it is to grow up well and be strong to fulfill your desire.]
[Mistakes happen, Princess. If it does not, then there would be no such thing as a perfectly flawed person.]
"Grow up well... and be strong... That's right."
At that moment, she heard a knock on her lodging's metallic door.
Knock.
Before she could even process what was happening, Grey's voice echoed from behind it, "Princess, dinner's ready."
This was the first since that day of her sudden emotional imbalance.
"H–honey Mallows, d–did I hear it right?!"
Without even waiting for her friend's answer, she raised her body and added,
"Change attire."
[Technological Skill: Anoboids Transformation has been activated.]
From donning sleepwear, Princess Quintella's clothes turned to a pink shirt and below-the-knee navy blue shorts.
"W–wait, Mister!"
***
In front of a two-person metallic table, Grey and Princess Quintella faced each other. The former began savoring the delicacies he personally cooked by utilizing the alien ship's dining sector, which was full of cooking utensils.
However, the latter observed some of the unfamiliar dishes on her plate as she muttered inwardly,
'Honey Mallows, scan! Scan everything!'
[Scanning the dishes... Processing!]
Ding!
Now familiar with the sound of a system alert, Princess Quintella silently read the projected information.
[Kimbap]
[Ramen]
[Corndog]
'Outer Wisdom...' She muttered, realizing that these dishes were within the Pseudo-Archive and categorized as something that was not of this world.
'Then what about that drink in a silver can?' She asked, her gaze momentarily fixated on the unopened freezing can beside Grey's plate.
In less than a second, she received a response.
[Beer]
***
After a few minutes, Grey commanded the ship to clean up the empty plates, causing multiple liquid mercury-like hands to appear out of nowhere and drag everything into nothingness.
Resting for a bit as both of them faced the holographic screens within the Host's Headquarters, Grey reassured the little Princess that he was not mad, and that he somewhat understood her sudden actions. This soothed her fragile heart.
In the next moment, the time for night hunting for the sake of genetics experiments began as he summoned the already mentally broken undead Goblin Chief with complete limbs.
As though it was spat out from nowhere, it genuflected in front of them before Grey transformed back to his original self, causing fear to settle in this monster's nonexistent heart.
Heaving a cold sigh, Grey addressed the Goblin Chief.
"Tell me the details, and I will be the judge if they deserve torment."