I woke up in a flustered state, I realised way too late the issue of me taking the vial. It wasn't the pain, it wasn't the danger of going into the battlefield.
It came to me whilst I was dreaming, I've developed the ability to lucid dream after a long time of trying, I like to do it on stressful nights to be sure I have good and fun dreams. But during the end of it I realised, power awakenings do happen, but the latest one I've ever heard of someone awakening was at the age of 19, I am 26, wouldn't this sudden power gain be unusual? Even then, the persons power only awoke since they trained their body to their absolute limit, hoping that through strict training they'd get a gift.
I did nothing to gain this gift, I'm a botanist who only occasionally went to the gym to go on the treadmill. The reason I got this gift is because the system picked me for some reason.
How could I have forgotten about this? Did my brain fart during the moment of me holding that vial in my hand? Did I go stupid crazy to ONLY think about the pain and not the consequences?
It was too late to regret it, but I regretted not getting prepared. I regretted it to bits. How would I explain this power surge? I have no idea, the thought of people finding out started to bring shivers to my body.
'I should go take a bath... The system isn't here yet, I should ask it about it when it appears'
I bit my lip in thought, and trudged to my tiny washroom. I didn't own a shower but a bath. My mom was too old to stand in a shower these days so her house, despite having 3 bathrooms, only has baths and no shower. It annoyed me to bits when I first moved in but to be honest I got used to being submerged in the warm water.
It made the trips to the washroom longer but I did feel quite refreshed afterwards, especially at night. I hoped today it would be just as relaxing.
____________
It didn't work, turns out these worries permeated the warm waters, even after I made it a bubble bath and wasted enough time in the water to get all pruney.
I sat on my bed in just my towel, I for some reason didn't have the energy to dry and dress my self all of the sudden. I looked at my shaking hand, not knowing whether it was shaking due to the cold or fear.
'I can feel the difference... The vial definitely worked... I can indeed feel something flowing inside me, it's weirdly obviously abnormal to me right now, I hope it gets better... '
Deep down my fear grew a seed that contained my want to ask the system to just get rid of the vials effects and leave. The only reason I've decided to go on this journey is for my mother, for her to no longer worry. Yet through this I took a potion that directly changed my biology. I knew the simple thought of asking him is crazy, he made this gift, and I doubt there is an easy way to take it back in full form, or at all.
[Good morning Marie! How did you sle- why are you sitting on your bed, still wet, dressed in just a towl? You're going to get a cold if you stay like this! ]
-yet she didn't even glance at it, probably still deep in thought-
[... ]
[(•ˋ _ ˊ•)]
[MARIE DRY YOURSELF]
The systems bright light blinded me momentarily and made me crash backwards onto my bed. It popped up right in front of my face, I could still feel the blaring pain in my eyes 3 seconds later.
Rubbing my eyes I looked at the screen, it's text still hasn't disappeared.
"Oh uh, right! I forgot- I'm so so sorry you appeared when I'm like this"
I quickly stood up and collected a button up shirt, some leggings, a bra and some socks to put on.
[How long have you been sitting in this state? ]
Looking down at me, I saw I was almost fully dry.
"Oops, I mean uh- no comment... Could you turn away, or uh leave I mean- y'know..."
[Ah right, my apologies 😅, I'll leave for now then. I actually last minute added a device that gives me a notice if you ever press it]
A blue button of the same texture and glow as the system screen popped up.
[If you ever need me, just press it. I decided this would be an easier way for you to clock me in on your wakeup time since that'll prevent awkward occurrences (≡^∇^≡) ]
Looking at the button, then the screen, I felt like this was indeed a really good idea.
"Alright, so can you leave now? "
[Mhmm, I'll show I'm gone by just closing my status window, see you soon ^^]
And then it disappeared as well as the button. I momentarily panicked but after opening up my own status I saw it appear along with it. With this I moved onto getting ready for the day.
____________
It was a rather rainy day, due to the chaos that went on yesterday I forgot to check the weather forecast so this came as a bit of a surprise.
'I guess I'm not opening the store today. '
With that thought I walked over to my brothers room. I still haven't called over the system, mostly because I still don't know how to face this situation. I decided that maybe looking at my brother I'll gain more motivation for this whole situation.
"I miss you so much... "
I heard a quiet voice from beyond the door to my brothers room. That lined was followed up by a sob, that son directly tore my heart to shreds. It was mom. Quickly, I quietly walked over to the room and peered through the slightly ajar door.
Her old, warm wrinkly hand help his cold,rough, stone one. There seemed to be a notievable shake to that hand, like the owner was holding back her feelings so much her body can't handle it. And she couldn't. Her hunched back started leaning towards the bed and although trying to keep silent, her mournful cries stabbed my heart painfully.
I know she tries to hold herself together everyday, I know she wants to seem strong, but I know she's frail. I don't want her to worry, but I also don't want to see her in this sorrowful state. No mother should need to see her child in this state.
I know it's cruel, but I still feel like they should've just told my mother he died in the blast and had a painless death. That would've been so much better than forcing this poor old lady to watch her child slowly turn to stone. That's just plain cruel.
But unfortunately we're wah past that stage, he's here turning to stone. Well he has turned to stone, but only on the outside, who knows when his inside will finally fully turn solid.
After standing their lost for a few seconds I went back to my room as quietly as possible. I didn't want her to know I saw her like this. But in a while, this did strengthen my resolve.
'I want to cure my brother, I'll do what I can, just so I can see my mother's true smile once again. '
And with that, I trudged into my room, closed my door and sat on my bed. After sitting down I called out my status ready to finally talk to the system.
[Woo I heard ladies take a while to dress but that was a bit overkill no? XD just kidding, I don't mind waiting]
'Yeah I guess I didn't help the stereotypes there, but it doesn't really need the full details... So I'll let it think what he wants to think. '
"We need to discuss a rather big issue that I realised earlier. This is about the vial, this is why I was so lost in thought earlier. " I ripped off the bandaid straight away, with this topic it's best to be straight forward. If I want to help my brother, I need to be honest with Daisy.
[What's the issue?]
For some reason those 3 words startled me a bit. Without its usual emojis and emoticons it really does just seem like a robot.
"So uh.. Uhm. You see... " I suddenly got tongue tied, this is the gift it gave me, I really don't want to hurt it's feelings.
[Don't worry Marie, I'm not mad, but if there is an issue with the vial it is best to address it straight away]
As if reading my mind, he responded to exactly what I was thinking.
"Did you read my mind?! "
[No, you just have a terrible poker face, your emotions are written all over it (´⌒｀;) ]
"Ouch. Okay, so"
I inhaled deeply before explaining the issue to Daisy, it didn't respond until I finished explaining but it also didn't turn off it's status screen so I knew it was there.
[I see... I definitely should have done more research on human awakenings during the update period. My apologies. So I suppose we need to figure out a cover story? ]
"Yeah... "
[Hmmm... ]
The status screen stayed on like that for 10 minutes, I didn't say anything, it didn't say anything. I was honestly worried it crashed.
[How about this, we lie, we say you awakened a long while ago but it was such a weak awakening that you didn't even bother telling anyone. After your brother was in that accident, you suddenly remembered said gift you started training in secret to help find a cure for your brother?]
Pondering on that idea for a hit second, I resolved to the opinion that it works, there are weak gifts that can barely be called gifts so I suppose it isn't too far fetched.
"But I haven't trained, and training schools for my level are usually with extremely young kids. I'm sorry but I do not want to be taught in the same classroom as a bunch of 13 year olds. " I responded resolutely.
[Who said you need to be taught by an institution? You have me, I have some knowledge on leveling up gifts and if we hit a road block I can always help with some of my potions. With this I can probably help you level up quite a bit, so then you can apply for a school in your age range. I'll do some research on minimal requirements and I think you doing some research would be good as well. You live in your world so you probably know more key terms than me.
( ´･ω･) ]
"Okay, I suppose that will work... When do we start the training? "
[Soon, Whilst you were sleeping I did some research and I think you should let the vial adapt to your body a bit. I'll try to find some exercises to help with that but that might take a bit, you can do some research as well though I doubt humans have something like this.
"Fair, iI can feel that it is a bit turbulent. "
[Well then we have a plan, a lot of research and I'll try to develop a training program as well :D so exciting]
I smiled in response. There is a lot more to be done than I expected. I just hope that by the end of this it won't be too late and my journey won't be fruitless...