My focus was abruptly broken as the screen appeared in front of my eyes, hovering like some kind of game interface, displaying my stats:
Player Stats:
I studied them, my heartbeat steady despite the shock. Considering the fight I had barely survived and my struggles with the sword, I expected much worse. Still, these numbers didn't lie they were low. But they were something to work with, a foundation I could build upon.
The thirst hit me then, sharp and sudden. I made my way to the kitchen for a drink of water. As I sipped, Edith's voice chimed in my mind a gentle reminder of her ever-watchful presence.
"Edith, what exactly does 'mc' stand for?" I asked, wiping my mouth on the back of my hand.
"Mc stands for 'magical coins,' Master. The system you wield It's a point-based system that allows you to use various abilities depending on the amount of mc you have. Think of it as currency for power," she explained, her tone neutral, almost bored.
I paused for a moment, mulling over her explanation, before a thought struck me. "Can you show me all my abilities? I need to know what I'm capable of."
"Master, you possess a wide array of abilities. You are a Diviner, capable of wielding all forms of magic. However, all your powers are currently at level one, and they will only improve as you do," Edith responded.
"List some of them," I prompted eagerly.
"You can wield imaginative magic, manipulate time, shapeshift, read minds, enchant objects, communicate telepathically, and control the elements water, air, fire, and earth. These are your major abilities, though there are many more to discover as you grow stronger."
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. With powers like these, I felt a surge of confidence. Lucius, my greatest enemy, didn't stand a chance.
Just then I remembered I had to be at school, I checked the time only to see it was already past ten, I can't go to school this late, so I decided to take a day off as I laid back on my bed, which resulted to me taking a nap.
****
I heard my mom's voice calling me. "Rowan!" she said as she stepped into my room. It was her routine now checking in on me every evening after work. I turned and greeted her with a warm smile.
"Welcome back, Mom. How was your day?" I asked, sitting up straighter as she crossed the room and pulled me into a tight embrace.
"It was good, honey. Just the usual," she replied, patting my back before releasing me. There was something in her eyes, a weariness that hadn't been there before.
"Rowan, your teacher called, you weren't in school" mom said as she sat on my bed,
"Yeah, I became sick so I decided to take a day off" I lied,
"By the way Rowan, there's someone I want you to meet" mom announced as she stood up from my bed,
We made our way downstairs for dinner, there was someone sitting at the dining table. A man. I tensed, glancing at my mom, who avoided eye contact, her smile a little too tight.
"Rowan, this is Mr. Darien," she introduced, gesturing toward the man who smiled at me politely.
I wasn't sure how to feel. The situation felt strange, but I didn't want to make my mom uncomfortable. Instead, I extended my hand, trying to keep things cordial. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Darien."
He shook my hand, his grip firm but not aggressive. "The pleasure is mine, Rowan. Your mother speaks very highly of you."
I wasn't sure how to respond to that, so I sat down opposite him and began eating, trying to keep the atmosphere light.
"So, how do you know my mother?" I asked, taking a sip of water to mask my awkwardness.
"We met about a month ago at a bar," Darien began, his tone casual. "I was there alone, and I promised my daughter I'd find her a good stepmother."
My fork clattered against the plate. I blinked, barely processing what he had said. Marriage? Already?
"Is there an issue with that?" Darien asked, raising an eyebrow as he noticed my reaction.
"No… It's just a little sudden," I said, forcing myself to pick up my utensils again. I didn't want to hurt my mom's feelings, but I couldn't hide the shock.
"Thank you for understanding," my mom said softly, squeezing my hand. I looked at her and managed a smile. She seemed happy. That was what mattered, right?
That night, I woke up to a loud binging sound in my head. A screen flickered to life, detailing a daily workout plan: 50 push-ups and running a kilometer.
I groaned but knew I needed to do it. My stats weren't going to improve by themselves, and I could earn bonus mc by following through. I gritted my teeth and started the workout, the burn in my muscles strangely satisfying. After running laps around the backyard, I felt the strength slowly return to my limbs.
Later, after a quick shower, I decided to head out to the supermarket. My mom had asked me to grab a few things, and I figured it was a good chance to clear my head. I knocked on Aaron's door, hoping he'd tag along for the company.
"I'm home!" he announced as he opened the door, loud music blaring in the background. He was dressed in yoga gear, which didn't surprise me. His mom was always pushing him to exercise.
"Where are you off to?" Aaron asked, eyeing my clothes.
"Just heading to the market for groceries. Want to come?"
"Can't. Yoga with Mom," he said, grimacing. I chuckled and waved him off before heading out on my own.
At the supermarket, I methodically went through my mom's list. When I reached for the last item soap I accidentally brushed against someone's hand. I looked up, meeting a girl's eyes.