[Status Window]
Name: Ilyin Gray
Titles: [Arbiter of Passion], [???]
▷ Primary Stats // [VSL: 3.6] [DEX: 4.7] [PRJ: 3.2] [PSY: 3.1] [PE: 4.1] [ARC: N/A]
▷ List of Skills
▲ Synchronization (Incomplete) [LV. N/A]
▲??? (LV. ???)
▲ $#&$^@?? [LV. ???]
▲ Arbiter's Ardor [LV. N/A]
[Some information has been omitted due to insufficient permission. Please continue to grow stronger to unlock this information, Arbiter Ilyin.]
—
First of all, I'm glad that actually worked, otherwise I would've felt a little embarrassed from going "status screen!" in my head.
Second of all, the number of question marks is getting on my nerves. Why bother showing them if I can't figure out what they are until later?
And third of all, I have no idea what half of these stats mean. If this screen is designed anything like a game though, surely something will pop up if I tap on the text.
[Index of Primary Stats]
Vessel (VSL): Physical endurance and stamina.
Dexterity (DEX): Agility, affects mastery of combat skills and techniques.
Projection (PRJ): Physical strength.
Psyche (PSY): Mental resistances, processing speed, and willpower.
Perception (PE): Sensory capabilities.
Arcane (ARC): Magical talent.
—
It's straightforward enough. It's a shame that my arcane is showing as non-applicable, but I hope that it's just because I've only started the tutorial. If I have to go through this much trouble, I should at least be able to wield magic I've only ever dreamed about.
I continued to tap around on the screen, but nothing popped up for any of the three hidden items. Synchronization, however, displayed a short and rather cryptic explanation for what it was.
[Synchronization] ▲
Current synchronization rate: 6%.
As synchronization increases, additional functions will unlock.
Synchronization can be increased through ???.
Warning: Raising synchronization too quickly can result in severe backlash.
—
Yes, because it makes sense that the skill doesn't explain how it increases also states that increasing it too fast can cause problems. I swear, if I get to meet whatever's behind this, I'm going to give them a piece of my mind.
I went ahead and tapped on the screen to make it go away, but instead, another panel appeared in front of me.
[Synchronization] ▶
Showing currently synchronized skills:
▲ Basic Swordsmanship [LV. 2]
—
By additional features, did it mean this? Now that I think about it, holding a sword felt a little familiar during the trial. I didn't expect that it would be because of something like this. I wasn't exactly sure what I was synchronizing with, but anything helps, I guess.
Then, I tapped on 'Arbiter's Ardor'.
[Arbiter's Ardor] ▲
The Ark of Passion's mark of recognition for any arbiter who passes its rite of passage. It will react to the arbiter's passion and desperation, improving their capabilities as they overcome dangerous trials.
Only one Ark's mark can be possessed by an arbiter at any one time.
—
It was a skill that passively increased my stats whenever I put my life on the line. It wasn't exactly something that I wanted to do, but it seemed unavoidable.
I waved away the screen, this time causing it to actually close. As far as I can tell, I've gathered all the information I can, which is unfortunately very little. Still, I have a little understanding of what to expect from this tutorial going forward.
I looked towards the side of the room opposite from where I came in. There were two metallic sliding doors that had opened at some point after I cleared the first test. Without further ado, I made my way towards it.
Standing in the doorway, I found myself greeted by a small room filled with a number of display cases, each containing a different weapon. Before I knew it, a new prompt appeared before me.
[The Ark of Passion is interested in the shape of your ardor. Choose a weapon before beginning the real tutorial.]
— Choose a weapon (0/1)
I took a step into the room. Although there was a large variety of weapons, they were all the most basic of designs. I perused the items within the arsenal, which ranged from bows to axes, but my mind was already set. Since I possessed the 'Basic Swordsmanship' skill through 'Synchronization', it made sense to continue using a sword.
I made my way to a display case containing a simple sword that roughly matched the one I used during the first trial. I knew little about swords, so I figured it was a safe bet to just pick the one I used before. I tapped on the case, causing a blue light to appear. Without warning, the sword suddenly manifested into my hand.
[You have selected a sword. Is this the shape of your ardor? Yes | No]
I tapped 'Yes' on the screen, which was replaced with the objective clear message. Shortly afterwards, the window disappeared, followed by a number of changes in my surroundings. The walls and display cases distorted into pixels before finally coalescing after several seconds.
[Objective complete. Moving onto the next part of t-]
[Warning: The adherent lacks sufficient authority. If divine guidance is not disabled within 10 seconds, the adherent will be transported to the Wellspring for the end of the tutorial.]
Huh?
Adherent? Insufficient authority?
"Wait, what does that mea-"
[10 seconds have passed. Transporting the adherent to the Wellspring.]
Before I could finish my question, I was transported to another room.
[You are now in the Wellspring. Drink from the fountain to unlock your latent arcane potential to finish the tutorial.]
My jaw dropped. Did I just get scammed? What about the rest of the tutorial?
"Hello? I don't think something is right here."
I don't know what I'm trying to call out to here, but I'm stuck hoping someone will help me out. However, there was no response, only an awkward silence.
You're joking, right?
I stared at the fountain in the center of the room, which looked to be constructed from white marble. I walked towards the edge of it and peered into the water. There didn't seem to be anything magical about it, and all I saw in its reflection was my own disappointed expression.
I sighed. I just need to drink from here and get it over with, right? I cupped a small amount of water with my hands and let it flow into my mouth.
As it went down my throat, I felt a sudden surge of agony course through my body.
The pain caused me to scream in pain as I clutched my chest with my hand. The burning yet sharp sensation was so painful I couldn't think straight.
[Warning: Arbiter Ilyin's physical capabilities are insufficient to withstand the Wellspring's elixir.]
[Warning: Arbiter Ilyin's physical capabilities are insufficient to withstand the Wellspring's elixir.]
[Warning: Arbiter Ilyin's physical capabilities are insufficient to withstand the Wellspring's elixir.]
Are you serious?
My insides felt like they were being tortured by thousands of hot irons. Elixir my ass, they just made me drink poison!
Damn it...!
[Warning: Arbiter Ilyin is developing a magic-related condition as an adverse side effect of prematurely consuming the Wellspring's elixir. Condition 'Mana Reversion' has been added to the status window.]
...
At some point, I ended up passing out from the pain. I wasn't sure how long I was out, but it felt like just for a moment. Fortunately, the pain was gone, but...
I opened up my status window and tapped on 'Mana Reversion'.
[Mana Reversion] ▲
A difficult-to-cure condition that prevents the body from externalizing mana. Until this condition is cured, the arbiter is unable to release magic outside of their body.
—
Just my luck.
I flipped off the ceiling out of frustration, praying that whoever was behind all this was watching. Forcing me to skip the tutorial? Not telling me to avoid drinking poison?
I was about to hurl out a series of unpleasantries, but I noticed something different about my status window.
[ARC: 3.8]
I unlocked the arcane stat. Compared to the rest of my stats, it was average. I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing, but I guess I can't even take advantage of it anyway.
I paused. Now that I think about it, mana reversion said it only prevents me from using magic outside of my body, implying there is magic I can use inside of it. Maybe something like physical enhancement. Perhaps this stat wasn't completely useless. Still, I was extremely pissed off about it.
[Your body has finished adapting to the Wellspring's elixir. Please proceed to the final room to receive a boon from one of the Ark's administrators.]
I chewed my lip. Well, at least I'm getting more free stuff. Plus, it sounds like there's someone I can finally complain to.
I walked past the fountain, towards an out-of-place wooden door. I swung the door open and was greeted with an unexpected sight.
A vast garden opened up before me, filled with a myriad of different flowers. The sheer number of colors was almost disorienting, given that the rest of the tutorial had nothing but incredibly dull walls. However, what stood out the most was a small, white gazebo in the center of it all. It had a table with a tea set prepared on top of it, along with two identical chairs. Sitting on one of them was a light-skinned man with black hair, dressed in a clean white suit.
I assume that's the administrator the system mentioned. I continued forward, making my way through a marble path. As I approached, the man noticed my presence, his eyes turning upwards to meet mine. He calmly sipped from a cup of tea before setting it down. Wordlessly, he gestured for me to take the seat opposite from him, to which I obliged.
When I sat down, his attitude suddenly changed. Instead of the nonchalant demeanor he had just before, he seemed oddly apprehensive. His eyes scrutinized every detail of my appearance, and from his gaze alone I felt intimidated. There was a powerful presence coming from this man that kept setting off alarm bells in my head.
Finally, he spoke.
"It's you again. How many years has it been since you last... nevermind, I forgot you wouldn't remember."
He let out a big sigh, looking at me with pity. Was it a habit of everyone and everything in this place to talk to me in such a vague way?
"I am Merlin, one of the administrators for the Ark of Passion. Normally, I'd hand you your boon and you'd be off on your merry way, but because of your circumstances, I'm afraid I can't do that. Still, it would be bad for my conscience if I just let you be, so take this."
He snapped his fingers, causing a screen to appear in front of me.
[The administrator Merlin has granted you his 'mark'.]
"It doesn't do anything besides show the Association that you're a 'person of interest'. It should help when you get outside."
I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off with a wave of his hand.
"I'm sure you have a lot of questions. You'll get your answers to them when you go outside... and you'll find yourself asking infinitely more." He sighed again. "This time, she doesn't even have enough authority to provide guidance. What is she thinking?"
Again, he snapped his fingers, causing a small letter to float down out of nowhere.
"Take it. Don't open it, though. When you get outside, find a man named Gestalt. He's an old man with a tacky red suit, you'll recognize him immediately. Give this to him. He'll take care of you."
"...Thank you. But why are you doing this for me?"
"I really don't want to take any more questions from you. Like, ever. It's for old times' sake, that's all I'll say. Again, you'll find your answers outside... and through that skill of yours."
[Synchronization rate: 7%]
I was surprised that he knew about this ability, but I guess he wasn't called an administrator for nothing. But what does he mean for "old times' sake"? I've never met him before. The way he talks makes it seem as if we've met before...
Merlin snapped his fingers, and this time, a glowing white doorway appeared to the side of the table.
"That'll take you outside. I don't know what you're doing all this for, but I sincerely hope you can find your own happiness in time."
He gestured for me to leave while sipping from his tea. Looks like he really didn't intend to talk to me any longer. I really want to understand what's up with his attitude towards me, but I don't have a choice right now. I bowed politely and made my way to the glowing gateway. I held my breath as I stepped through, preparing myself for the chaos of a ruined world.
Everything in my body felt like it disintegrated, but quickly returned to normal after a moment. I felt a wave of uneasiness wash over me. My senses became disoriented as well.
Several seconds later, I found myself standing in the darkness, greeted only by a bright light from beyond a large set of double doors. Steeling myself, I made my way towards the light.
I was not physically, mentally, or spiritually prepared, but there was nothing I could do about that. Expecting the worst, I took my first step into the outside world.
...
"What?"