Dominic was now standing before the virtual floating golden mini-robot, his gaze fixed on the virtual box hovering in front of him. The screen glowed with a warm, subtle light, casting a faint halo that seemed both mysterious and inviting. At the top of the display was his full name, spelled out in bold, official lettering in a slot titled Name:
**Name: Dominic Novae**
Beneath that, a label simply reading **Age** was filled with the number **17**—a quiet reminder of his youth amidst the extraordinary circumstances. Following his age was a slot labeled **Core Affinity**, where the word *Universal* glimmered softly, revealing the powerful yet enigmatic potential within him. The term itself felt both foreign and significant, hinting at something rare and remarkable that set him apart from the others in this strange world.
As Dominic's eyes moved lower, he noticed a list of abilities, each labeled with tantalizing titles. Yet, every single one bore the unmistakable symbol of a lock in front of it, suggesting his potential was still hidden, his powers locked away until he could rise to the challenge.
The golden robot's voice broke the silence, clear and steady as it began to explain, "This screen represents your current status, Dominic, providing key information about your identity, age, core, and abilities. It is called your status window. Your core possesses *Universal Affinity*, which is a rare attribute that allows you to make use of all the elements. While the—
Dominic, confused at the time, blinked multiple times as if he were trying to understand the robot's words but still couldn't help but interrupt it.
"Hold up, hold up! What do you mean by elements, core, universal affinity, or what else?" Dominic asked, but his question was soon replied to by the robot's sigh of frustration.
"Oh, sorry, but not everyone has your artificial intelligence."
Dominic, annoyed at the time, told the robot sarcastically
The robot replied in a cold mechanical tone, with the same cold reaction it had always had.
"But at least having just intelligence would help me a lot and be sure to suffice."
Dominic, who understood the robot's sarcasm and insults, angrily gritted his teeth out of anger at his acceptance of not being able to do anything to a virtual holographic robot.
For the first time since the robot appeared, the expression on its screen finally changed to a slight grin because of amusement at Dominic's reaction.
He then watched the so-called status window, feeling a strange blend of confusion, excitement, and frustration. He was looking at something under a title labeled **Abilities**, and he knew that they held the keys to his potential, and yet the locks on them barred him from wielding them. "Why is everything locked?" he asked, unable to keep the annoyance from his tone.
The robot paused briefly as if processing his question. "The locks are a necessary safeguard. All these abilities are too strong for your physicality and mental comprehension; therefore, they will gradually be unlocked as you complete the missions assigned to you to improve your core and aid your survival and development in this world. Each step forward will allow a new ability to be released, tailored to your current level and core."
The only thing that echoed in Dominic's ears was "your survival," and feeling a surge of sudden determination, he said to the robot, "Let me see the missions."
"Your wish is my command." was the robot's quick automated reply
Dominic was shocked at the robot's sudden change in attitude but enjoyed it; however, his joy was cut short by the mocking tone of the robot, which said, "Did you think that's what I would say? If you did, then wake up, princess. When it's time for your missions to be explained, then it will." The robot then continued what he was saying, leaving an embarrassed Dominic burning with rage. After Dominic cooled down, he began listening to the robot once again, but of course reluctantly, as he heard the robot reveal something called the **Power Level Rankings**. "To understand your journey, you must first understand the stages of power within this world," the robot said before it launched into an explanation of each tier, from **Novice** to **Legendary**. It began with **Novice Tier**, covering each sub-level from *Sensation* to *Ignition*, detailing the growth of one's core from initial awareness to the beginning stages of magic use. Then came the **Adept Tier**, describing each phase and the journey toward control and refinement of magic. "So, you would have to reach Ignition before you can access any of your abilities. Normally, you're awakened with dual elements, which are light and darkness, which makes you a Light Elementalist and also a Dark Elementalist. Before you ask what that is, because I know your dumb brain is going to make you ask what an Elementalist is, an Elementalist is basically what they call magic users who can access elements."
Dominic felt angered not by the robot's rude system but by the fact that he really wanted to ask that question; he just thought to himself, "The day I'm going to be able to get my hands on this useless robot would be its last day."
Dominic angrily listened to the robot intently because of his immense curiosity, which won him over, his eyes narrowing as he grasped the importance of each tier. The **Advanced Tier** symbolized the turning point where abilities could be molded and strength refined. Then came **Master Tier**, where a user's power reached heights so formidable that even the lower ranks were enough to grant prestige, with *Eminence* and *Eclipse* marking stages that few could comprehend. And finally, the **Legendary Tier**, a realm so rare it felt more like a myth than reality.
When the explanation ended, the robot regarded Dominic with a calculated look. "Now that you understand the tiers," it continued, "I am authorized to assign you your initial missions."
Dominic whispered "Finally" in a low tone to avoid the robot hearing him.
"Now you finally get what you were so eager and practically dying for; how do you feel?"
Dominic thought to himself, "That robot is surely a female or one heck of a male best friend material kind of person; it's either sassiness or pure irritation respectively for the two genders towards me." Unable to hide his curiosity, Dominic asked him, "What gender are you?"
The robot flashed a menacing look at him.
"I should be the one asking you what species you are. You are definitely not a homo sapien; they're too high for you."
Dominic continued gritting his teeth, but this time around he clenched his chubby fists in an attempt to soothe his anger.
The robot then replied to his actions with the same calculating grin he recently developed as he said, "If you keep clenching your fists, your fleshy fists might burst."
Dominic then thought to himself, *I forgot this thing was a heartless cold monster and not a human; to ask such a ruthless beast what gender it is, is a crime.* Dominic then slapped himself as a punishment for his actions and unjust behavior.
The robot once again replied to Dominic's behavior by being narcissistic and said, "When you're done with your stupidity, then listen to me. The missions are designed to help you achieve the growth necessary for survival and mastery in this world."
Dominic felt his pulse quicken as the screen shifted again, revealing four mission slots, each one detailing a distinct task:
1. **Mission One - Power Calibration**
- *Objective*: Attain *Novice I - Sensation* by reaching full awareness of your core and testing out your abilities.
2. **Mission Two - Strengthening Bonds**
- *Objective*: Convince Daphne that you're her brother and you're the same Dominic as before.
3. **Mission Three - Core Strengthening**
- *Objective*: Cultivate your *Universal Affinity* to advance to *Novice III - Ignition*, unlocking your ability to use magic freely.
4. **Mission Four - The Path of Resilience**
- *Objective*: Complete a resilience test designed to prepare your body and mind for the hardships of higher-tier cultivation.
The weight of responsibility settled heavily on Dominic, each mission a reminder of the path that lay ahead and the world he was now bound to survive in. But with a slow nod, he clenched his fists, resolving himself. "Alright," he murmured, "Let's do this."