[Wake up, sleepy head!]. A very loud voice suddenly echoed in henry's head, bringing him back from slumberland, to reality.
"Wha...why...what are you doing," he said slowly, still sleepy
[What, do you want a wake up kiss or something, get up!], miley said, her voice still loud as hell
"I take it, you slept well," henry asked, already waking up completely
[Infact, i did. I even came up with a nickname for you while sleeping], she said excitedly, like a child.
[Hen!], she said before henry could even reply
Henry just sat on the bed, looking flabbergasted, not knowing what was more shocking. The fact that she was conscious in her sleep, or that she had just given him a nickname named after a domestic animal.
"What, fuck no, you can't call me hen," he finally said, snapping out of his daze
[Why, you don't like it], she said, in a child's voice
Henry didn't even need to see a teary cat eye, the voice did it all. How can he reject such
But he could,
"Of course, i don't like it, it's too...well, i just don't like it," he said
[Oh, i see], she said, her voice completely replaced with a cold, stoic one
Henry shrank in fear, he did not like that tone, he didn't like it at all
"I'm just kidding you know, i don't like it, i love it. Yeah hen, totally dig it!" henry said anxiously
[You do know, that i can tell when you're lying, right]
"Shit, I'm busted, i really have to be remembering that she's in my head. she knows what I'm thinking, even right now," he thought
[But I'll let you off the hook for now, and don't ask any more irrelevant questions. We have a big day ahead of us], miley said
"What, you promised." henry sighed, knowing his questions were now put on hold
[I don't have all the time in the world, boy], she replied
"You know, we're like the same age right?"
[Hahaha, you foolish lad, I'm a thousand years old. I'm older than your forefathers, its just because of my memories being lost, I'm stuck as a damn teenager]
"Yeah ok, so you're a teenager with issues?" henry said, trying to annoy her
[I think you're forgetting who has who's head in their palms]
"You don't even have a physical body, what palms?" henry sneered
[Do you want to find out?], she asked in a sinister voice
"No thanks, I'm good," he said. He was about to get off the bed when, a knock was heard at the door
"Come in," Henry said.
The door slid open, revealing Xavier, dressed in his signature black jumpsuit
"Ah, Henry! xavier exclaimed "It's good that you're awake already. Time for your Mana Cell Examination," he announced.
Henry groaned.
"Already?"
[Don't worry, Hen. I've got your back],
miley reassured him, giggling softly
Xavier raised an eyebrow.
"I'll be monitoring your brain activity, Henry. Any suspicious activity, and the test will be terminated."
Henry nodded.
"I understand."
Xavier looked at henry gloomy face, as he put on his boots
"I'm sure you're wondering, why I'm here for you to take a test, instead of offering you breakfast,"
Henry raised an eyebrow, he had indeed complained . "What kind of organization is this, wake up early in the morning and the first thing I get is a fucking assessment." he thought while wearing his footwear, before xavier spoke
"No not really...you're my hosts, i can't complain," he said, trying to look as humble as ever
"Yeah I'm not buying that, i know you're cursing inwardly." xavier replied. "But before a mana examination, it is required not to have any intake of solid or liquid. Not even water,"
"Oh i see," henry replied, looking at xavier with a suspicious look "Are this people sure this guy doesn't have mind reading abilities, he can literally tell when I'm lying. Better to be far away from him anytime i want to use my talents," he said inwardly
"But after, you'll get your fill," xavier said reassuringly
"Alright, let's get this over with." henry replied
Xavier led Henry to the testing area, a large, circular room filled with complex machinery.
Elara was waiting outside outside the room, as they approached, her eyes locked on Henry.
"The result of the test would tell us if you have mana cells with abilities or if you're a potential user. Good luck," she said.
Henry nodded. "Why would she be here?" he thought, as they entered the room, which was also occupied by two individuals in a white lab coat, both females
Xavier positioned henry in a cylindrical glass device at the center of the room, the door to the machine slid shut.
"Begin."
The machinery hummed to life, enveloping Henry in a brilliant, blue glow.
The Mana Cell Examination Test had begun.
The machinery whirred and hummed, analyzing Henry's magical capacity. Xavier watched the readings on the holographic screen intently.
" Analyzing body cells...," the device announced. It glowed and beeped for a while, then the glow dimmed, and the machine made a soft sound before turning off. Then a piece of information appeared on the holographic screen
Xavier's expression turned stern.
"Impossible," he muttered, as they all stared at the result on the screen
[MC Negative].
Henry's eyes widened in shock.
"What does it mean?" he asked.
Xavier hesitated before speaking.
"You don't have Mana Cells, Henry. You're... magically incompatible. A ordinary human."
Henry felt like he'd been punched in the gut.
"But... how? Everyone has Mana Cells," he stammered.
Xavier shook his head.
"We've never seen a case like this. It's as if your body rejects magical energy." he said.
"But then how did he survive the attack from the beast," xavier thought
Elara entered the room, concern etched on her face.
"Xavier, what's happening?"
"Henry doesn't have Mana Cells," Xavier replied.
Elara's eyes locked onto Henry.
"This changes everything," she thought, as she faced henry who was lost in his own thoughts
When henry first saw the results, he was startled but then recalling the events that occurred with the hound. "I don't have mana cells, but I healed and i...system...i mean miley, are you there?" he thought, with a look of horror on his face
But there was no reply, his worst fear had become reality. That the system was just an hallucination and a coping mechanism his mind had made up, to keep his sanity.
"I can't believe this, the system, the powers, the shop...miley. It's all an imagination,"
Henry's mind reeled.
"What does this mean for me? For my future?"
Xavier's expression softened.
"We'll need to run further tests. But for now... you should get some air, you're not looking well," he said looking at henry, this time not of suspicion, but of compassion.
Henry felt his dreams slipping away.
"No... this can't be."
Elara stepped forward.
"There's still a place for you, Henry. There are a lot of people in the world who don't have abilities, but are incredibly talented. We'll just have to find yours," she said trying to cheer him up
But Henry's heart sank.
He was an outcast, magically defective in a world where magic and technology were the ruling factor. He didn't have any ability, he had no knowledge of technology whatsoever, and now, he had just lost the cheat system that never even existed.
Elara made a signal to one of the women scientists in the room, she came towards henry, and took him out of the area, to a nearby building, which looked like a restaurant.
"I thought you said he survived an attack from a hell hound?" Elara asked, turning to xavier with a stern look, as henry and the woman left the room
"Yes, even i am shocked at the way things turned out," xavier replied, looking defeated
"Hmm, you don't look too surprised, normally I'd expect you to have already locked him up, suspecting him of...you know.."
she said
Xavier had a little embarrassed smile on his face "Yes, leader, i might have," he said.
"But he already took the mutant test on our way back yesterday, he's innocent. I guess jane was right afterall, he had miraculously escaped the most lethal blow," xavier acclaimed looking convinced, as there was no other possible explanation.
"I see, then the matter is settled then. You should let jane know, I'll be in my office," Elara said, also quite convinced
Xavier nodded as Elara left the room.
"Kid, you owe me one," he thought.
Henry was in a restaurant, one that was still in the guild's premises, it clearly belonged to the guild, as members were there eating and just chilling
But he was doing any, he just sat by the window, thinking about his life. "How could this happen, i really thought i was special...pfft, god of speed my ass, I'm always going to be an unlucky loser in every lifetime," he thought, depression setting in slowly, it was only a matter of time, before he went fully mad.
He was filled with anger, at himself for being so unlucky, but at the same time regret and sorrow. "I didn't think I'll ever say this, but i would give anything to hear miley's voice," he thought, remembering a certain annoying, english teenage, old lady in his head
But even she was just a make believe being, one that was probably created by his mind, telling him how awful he was with women in his past life "Man, maybe if I don't die of depression, i should at least get a girlfriend," he said, chuckling to himself loudly.
He was really going insane,
But miley wasn't going to let that happen, not when she was just starting her fun after a thousand years
[Oi, hen, quit yapping. You're not getting a girlfriend looking like that]
A soft, familiar voice ringed in his head
"No way...miley, is that you?" he asked
[Who else would it be, I'm back...well i never left, but I'm back. Rejoice!]
she replied
Henry had mixed feelings; joy, euphoria, anxiety, anger and a bit of fear
"Wait are you real?" he asked
[Is this proof enough?]
miley said, as a familiar gold screen appeared in henry's face, showing him his stats.
*Name: Henry
*Race: Human
*Level 2
Exp: [0/15]
*Hp: 20/20
*Ep: 100
*Strength: 15
*Agility: 20
*Stamina: 15
*Defense: 15
*Perception: 15
*Stat point: 5
[Speed Rate: 120 km/hr]
none
*Advanced time perception [passive]
*Health regeneration [passive]
"It really real!" he exclaimed out loud filled with excitement, not caring about the gaze of the people in the restaurant
"Man, I'm so happy, i could kiss you!"
[Hahaha, say that again, and i can assure you of a painful, slow death].
she replied while laughing, but henry knew better than to think she was joking
"Scary lady," he thought
[You were so pathetic, did you really miss me that much?]
"Could one blame me, i guess I've gotten used to having a cute voice always chirping in my head, that i can't simply live normally without it," henry said with a corny smile
[Mate, you are truly courting death, trying to woo your better. How many times would i have to say it, you're not my type, find someone else as weak as yourself]
Henry: "..."
"So i can assume that you pranked me once again, i should have known,"
[That's right i did, and it was so worth it, you were already losing your mind. You truly can't live without me, pathetic, i am undoubtedly your better. Grovel at my presence!]
miley said, her voice filled with arrogance
"Oh great miley, overseer of the system from the gods. This lowly host, adores you and rejoices at your marvelousness," henry said in a submissive voice
Miley: [...]
"So you deliberately ignored and basically forsaked me, just so you can prove that i am nothing without you?" he continued
[Correct]
she replied
"That is so diabolical and not cool, i was slowly losing it," henry said, a little bit annoyed
[To be honest, i wanted it to last a bit longer, like a year or more. But your sorry excuse of a mind couldn't even handle it for 30 minutes]
"A year!" henry screamed inwardly.
He sighed, knowing he was powerless in the situation. "So you would go to such lengths, just to prove your point?"
[Yes, yes I would. Know this and know peace],
miley said
[Besides, consider this a favor, now you know that you need to work on surviving without the system. Get stronger, you blasted host!]
"Yes, mum," henry chuckled, he couldn't even imagine surviving in this world without the system
"But how come i don't have mana cells, what kind of energy does the system run on, and how does the abilities and skills work?" he asked
[Indeed you don't have mana cells, neither can you ever have. But the system runs on a special kind of energy, and a fraction of that energy is what you know as energy points, which is used to activate some skills.]
"Wow, cool, what is the energy?"
[That is classified, but you're better than the humans because unlike them, whatever abilities you acquire would not need the aid of any energy whatsoever]
she replied
"Ok, now that is a good news, i better acquire an ability soon," he said with excitement
[Host should be careful in this world, since your test shows you have no mana, using abilities indiscretely would be foolish],
miley added
"You're right, I'm gonna have to keep the system and its wonders a secret, but how do i even do that in this kind of world and still rise to the top. Heck, how do I explain to xavier and Jane how i healed," henry said with panic, already brainstorming the lies he could tell
And just then, the two people henry had first met in the world, entered the restaurant. It was both jane and xavier, Jane was putting on a casual outfit; a black turtleneck that boosted her chest shape, blue fitted trousers and her black hair in it's usual ponytail.
They spotted henry, and both approached him.
_______________
A/Q: Updates would return back to it's usual 1 chapter a day. But I'm planning on dropping 2 per day instead with each chapter having at least 2k words.
But that would depend on your votes, pls try and donate stones so i can be motivated.
Thanks for reading