The warm, unfamiliar surge of energy pulsed through Alex's veins as he slowly opened his eyes, adjusting to the feeling. His body felt… different. He lifted his hand, flexing his fingers, watching them as though he were seeing his own limbs for the first time.
"This… feels insane," Alex muttered, flexing his arm. Even the simple act of moving felt smoother, more controlled, as though his muscles responded with new precision.
"System, show me my status screen. I need to see what's changed."
Without a word, the system complied, and the familiar screen materialized in front of him.
Status Screen
Overall Cultivation: H
Name: Alexander Argoth
Race: Human/???
Title: - (To Be Discovered)
Class: - (Currently Locked)
Talent: Sub-Dimension (Rank: S, Growth-Type)
Affinity: Space-Time (Grade: Unknown)
Cultivation Manual: Origin Creation Manual
Stats:
Mana: H
Strength: H
Agility: H
Intelligence: H
Stamina: H
A grin spread across his face as he read the stats, seeing them finally rise above the I-levels. He felt stronger than he could have imagined, but a nagging thought tickled at the back of his mind.
"Hey, System, didn't you say the H stat is just, like, average for people here?"
[Correct.]
Alex frowned. "But I feel a lot stronger than just 'average.' I mean, this is beyond anything I've felt before. Are you sure H isn't superhuman or something?"
The system sighed, an exasperated huff that had become a familiar sound to Alex by now. [Host, you're not in your original world anymore. Here on Astria, the gravity is roughly a hundred times greater than what you're used to. And because of mana in the atmosphere, even an 'average' human's body adapts and strengthens naturally just by living here.]
Alex's eyes widened. "Wait—so you're telling me it's normal for people here to be this strong?"
[Yes. On Astria, a regular person could lift a car or run a marathon without breaking much of a sweat. In terms of your old world, what you're experiencing as 'normal' H-level strength would indeed seem superhuman.]
Alex ran a hand through his hair, still trying to wrap his mind around it. Everything he knew about power and physical limits seemed different here. "So, by Astria's standards, I've only just reached a basic level. But by my world's standards… I'm like some kind of superhero."
[Exactly. Though if you're looking for a gold star, don't get ahead of yourself just yet.]
He chuckled, feeling a surge of excitement. He could get used to this.
"Alright, what about my quests?" he asked, remembering he'd leveled up.
The system displayed his Quest Panel.
Quest Panel
Main Quest:
Establish a foundation of strength and wealth for the Argoth family.
Side Quests:
Complete: Reach H rank.
Active: Begin basic mana training.
Active: Unlock your class.
"So, I finished the first side quest," Alex noted, pleased. "What do I get for that?"
[You've been rewarded with 100 Desire Credits and five Minor Mana Regeneration Potions.]
The items materialized in front of him, with the sleek, glass bottles of mana potions catching his attention. Curious, he held one up to the light, the blue liquid swirling inside.
"System, what exactly does this mana potion do?"
[The Minor Mana Regeneration Potion helps replenish mana faster than the typical meditation and absorption method. Simply drink one, and you'll restore your mana cores at an accelerated rate.]
"Nice," Alex murmured, setting the bottles down with satisfaction. "That'll come in handy."
He glanced at the second quest on his panel: Begin basic mana training. It sounded simple enough, but he quickly realized he had no idea where to start. Mana had always been this mysterious energy that he'd only read about in books. Now he needed guidance to actually wield it.
"So, System… how exactly do I start with this 'basic mana training'?"
[I suggest you seek instruction from someone with experience. Perhaps your father?]
"Yeah, that's probably the best option," he conceded, filing it away as something he'd handle soon. He was curious to see his father's reaction to his sudden interest in learning.
But before moving on, there was one thing that kept nagging at him. The System. Or rather… the fact that he was still calling it System.
"By the way, System," Alex began, scratching his head thoughtfully, "I've been calling you 'System' this whole time, and… it's kind of a mouthful. I think you need a proper name."
There was a brief pause before the system responded, its voice laden with reluctant curiosity. [What exactly do you mean by that, Host?]
"Well, it's just that, you know, if I'm going to be stuck with you, calling you 'System' feels pretty impersonal. Plus, you're not just a program; you talk to me like an actual person. So, I'd like to give you a name."
[Host, don't get any ridiculous ideas. I'm not some… pet or sidekick in one of your novels.]
"Relax, I was thinking of something nice. How about… Nova?"
[Nova?] The system's voice sounded incredulous.
"Yeah, Nova," Alex repeated, feeling a twinge of embarrassment but pressing on.
"You have a female voice, and, I don't know, it just sounds right. Like a bright star illuminating my new life or something."
There was a tense pause, and for a moment, Alex thought Nova would refuse.
[Tch. Nova? How sentimental. Honestly, Host, you couldn't have chosen something a little less… cringe-worthy?]
Alex rolled his eyes, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Oh, come on, Nova. It suits you. Besides, you secretly like it; you're just too proud to admit it."
Nova huffed, but Alex sensed a subtle, pleased undercurrent in her tone, though she did her best to hide it. [Fine. If it makes you happy, Host, I'll tolerate it. But only because I have no choice in the matter.]
"Don't act so thrilled," Alex teased, but he couldn't help but feel a small thrill of victory. Giving Nova a name felt oddly… satisfying, as if it marked a new step in their strange partnership.
He looked at the list of side quests again, his fingers itching with the urge to start training. His new powers made him want to dive in, to see how far he could push this strange and exhilarating strength. But he knew enough to realize he'd need guidance before attempting anything complex.
"Alright, Nova, I think I've had enough of talking to myself," he said with a smirk. "I'll check in with my father tomorrow to see if he can teach me about mana."
[Good decision. It's time you learned the basics if you're planning on surviving in this world.]
"Always so optimistic, aren't you?" he retorted, a chuckle slipping out.
The system's tone softened slightly, barely detectable, yet it felt strangely comforting. [Survival in Astria demands more than optimism. But I'll guide you as best as I can, Host.]
Alex glanced around his room, feeling a new sense of purpose. He'd come so far in just a short time. Who would've thought he'd be reborn in such a way, with powers and abilities he'd never even dreamed of? And now, with Nova by his side—though she'd deny it—he felt he could face whatever challenges this new world threw at him.
"Well then, Nova," he said, stretching as he prepared to rest, "here's to a bright new start."
[Please refrain from getting overly sentimental, Host. We have much work ahead.]
Smiling, Alex lay back and closed his eyes, feeling a rare contentment. As he drifted to sleep, his mind buzzed with anticipation for the future. The journey had just begun, and with Nova guiding him, he felt ready to take on the world.
For the first time in years, Alex could truly say he was excited for what tomorrow would bring.
And with that, Nova was officially part of his journey, a guiding star in the endless sky of Astria.