After the formal dinner, Harry and Max walked back to their room, the atmosphere buzzing with whispers and curiosity. The stone hallways of Elendir Keep were dimly lit by flickering torches, casting long shadows that danced along the walls.
Harry was still trying to process everything they had just learned, but he couldn't shake off the excitement bubbling within him. A part of him felt like he was living inside one of his favorite fantasy novels, an isekai come to life.
Max, who had requested to room with Harry yesterday, walked silently beside him, his expression unreadable. Harry knew Max well enough to understand that his quiet demeanor didn't necessarily mean he wasn't feeling anything, even though he seems to have lost his memory.
Max had always been the introvert, the kind of guy who preferred to process things internally from what Harry learned from their three years of studying together.
"Okay, Max, first things first. We gotta check our statuses!" Harry said excitedly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as they finally entered the room.
Max raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "Our statuses? What do you mean?"
"Like in games, man!" Harry explained, his hands moving animatedly as he spoke. "You know, health points, stats, skills… I mean, we got isekaied, right? At least for now. Ah, you have amnesia, I forgot. Then... just say 'Show status window'. I will explain everything later."
Max hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Alright… Show Status."
"Did a window thing appear with your name and other stuff written on it?" Harry asked while looking at his own status.
_ _ _ _
[Status Window]
Name: Harry Parker
Title: Unyielding Survivor
Health and Stamina:
• HP: 18/20
• SP: 17/20
Core Attributes:
• Agility: 9.3
• Intelligence: 10
• Strength: 9
• Willpower: 11
• Endurance: 10
• Vitality: 10
Skills:
• Limit Break
• Iron Will
Ascendy Points: 18
_______ ___
"Oh, shoot." Harry nearly cursed out loud, noticing the massive changes in his status window. He rubbed his eyes a few times in pure disbelief. "How did it change this much?"
He muttered in confusion. He now had a new title, two skills, 10 AP, and unlocked another 2 stats... Not to mention the +5 increase in both HP and SP.
Max noticing Harry's strangeness raised his eyebrows in confusion. What happened to him, he thought.
Harry noticing Max's gaze turned back at him. "Aha, sorry. Did you check your status?"
"Ah, yeah. But there are a lot of things I don't understand in there." Max replied rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
"It's alright. The best person that can help you is right beside you. So leave it to me." Harry smiled, while being eager to discover his hidden protagonist classmate's status.
But, he wasn't in a hurry.
"Before we jump onto the status window, let's talk about where we left off earlier." Harry said. "Was it about what happened when I told you to press yes and you disappeared?"
"...Right." Max nodded shortly.
"Alright. I'm all ears. However, there is one thing I have to tell you, to warn you about."
Harry took a deep breath and looked Max in the eyes, his expression turning serious. "Max, before you tell me anything else or we dive deeper into your story or your status, I need you to understand something important."
Max blinked, clearly taken aback by Harry's sudden change in tone. "What is it?"
Harry rubbed the back of his neck, trying to find the right words. "Look, with everything that's happened, I realized something. Whatever you're about to share with me, it might be personal. Like, really personal. And since you don't remember much, there's a chance you might spill something you wouldn't normally want anyone to know."
Max's brow furrowed, and he looked down, pondering Harry's words. "You mean... I could be telling you secrets without even realizing they're secrets?"
"Exactly," Harry nodded noting Max hadn't indeed forgotten all the common sense. "And the same goes for this whole status window thing. It might have information about you that's, well, private. Like your skills, unique power, or anything. So, you need to be sure you want to show it to me before you do."
Max's eyes flickered with uncertainty, and he glanced away, his mind clearly racing. Harry could see the conflict in his friend's face, the fear of the unknown mingling with the desire for answers.
"I... I get it," Max finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But honestly, Harry, I don't know what to do. Everything's so confusing right now. I feel like... like I need to trust someone, or I might go crazy."
Harry felt a pang of sympathy for Max. It must be terrifying, waking up in a world that is no longer the same, with no memory and no idea who you are.
"Hey, it's okay," Harry said softly. "I'm here, remember, and I'll do whatever I can to help. Just know that you don't have to share anything you're not comfortable with."
Max nodded slowly, his gaze still distant. "Thanks, Harry. I really appreciate it. It's just... a lot to take in, you know?"
Harry chuckled softly. "Yeah, tell me about it. We're in some kind of medieval fortress, got some weird magical status windows, and apparently, the world is ending back home. It's like we've been dropped into some kind of crazy fantasy story. But that's also amazing in its own way."
Max's lips twitched into a small smile at Harry's attempt to lighten the mood. "You always did have a knack for making light of everything."
"That's me," Harry grinned. "The class joker, remember?"
"...Nope," Max replied shortly.
"..." Harry's smile stiffened for a moment at Max's decisive answer. "Haha, damn you."
"Hehe, although I don't remember, I know you were. I could see it back when we were eating as well."
"Ah, you mean with our classmates?" Harry asked. "Come to think of it, did you remember anything, or see familiar faces during that time?"
"...No," Max replied calmly. Well, there was one person that seemed a bit familiar, a subtle feeling...
"Ok, don't be disappointed. I am sure you will recover them in time. Now, what is your decision?"
"...I want to know. So I will tell you." Max replied with a calm expression.
"Haha, good. Then, let's start with your story." Harry smiled at the success of his plan. Now he could get to know about the new Max without feeling any guilt.