'Master? That sounds nice.' I was amazed by the systematic screen that resembled a video game. It triggered a chain of emotions: happiness, amazement, and, most of all, excitement and thrill.
Although the screen suggested success, I had the least idea of how to utilize it. The priority was getting to know my stats—it was something a lot of mages in novels did. It was usually triggered verbally or sometimes in the mind.
'Okay...' I wiped off the sweat on my forehead and continued in a high tone, 'Stats!'
I looked around, awaiting a response, as I gazed at the figure in the distance who emitted a bright orange light. I was met with disappointment after a few seconds of trying to view my stats.
'That doesn't work, so what now? This beast is still alive and even though I can run way faster than it in this state, I don't think my stamina is infinite.'
The usual desperation soon settled in and I found myself shouting even more consistently at the darkness. I was soon approaching the figure in the distance as the others ran behind me.
I stretched out my hand, trying to grab the figure in an attempt to awaken my abilities.
'Maybe touching him will do something.' It was a hypothesis at the moment but I had no idea it would be proven to be true.
My fingers made contact with his pale hands, and his long dark hair flew upwards. He turned his head slowly towards me, and a blue light enveloped me.
'Heck yeah! Finally,' I rejoiced, noticing that time had slowed down to the extent that movement wasn't noticeable.
'So you've been chosen by the system too?' A low, dry voice stated from behind.
It was the same guy, emitting the same orange light. He was surprisingly able to move, perhaps because he had been chosen by the system as well.
'So I'm guessing you were granted the system too but why–' I was immediately cut off by his low voice immediately picking up intensity, 'Just forget it. I've been like this for a while now. It's probably been a year or two as I've been watching you all slowly run like snails. I've lost hope. I might as well die here.'
I raised my eyebrow in confusion, scratching my head and taking a closer look at him. My heart was consumed with the fear of suffering the same fate as him.
'But you, you seem to move fine. I can only turn my head around,' he said. I immediately noticed my mobility in the time-tampered space
The blue light I emitted collided with his orange light, creating a beautiful effect that only occurred at the center. I moved closer to that area, amazed by its beauty.
'Hey, can I tell you something?' I muttered, slowly moving forward.
'You're dumb. Don't just stand like a statue unless you're about to let your dreams die here. If that's so, then just stay here and rot like a worm while the rest of us will be set free.' I spoke, almost intentionally sparking hatred within him.
'Didn't you hear what I just said–'I cut him off immediately with a calm and annoying tone, 'No, your pessimism was in the way. All I could hear was a cry of a lost child.'
'I CAN'T move, brat!' He shouted, his voice, a strong expression of his anger.
Regardless of his situation, I reached out to the center where our powerful lights collided and touched it, closing my eyes and wishing for the best.
[Activation Complete Master Noah. Here are your stats:
Name: Noah
Beast: None
Mana: 100%
Abilities: Mana Wielding (Rank E)
Skills: Aura Shield (Rank E)
Overall Ranking: Rank E...]
My eyes widened, welcomed by the stats and a calm female voice that read it thoroughly for me. As I tried interacting with the screen, although only I could see it, I saw his facial expression evolve. It was hard to understand, but it definitely had envy in it.
I smiled, ignoring his awful situation as I slowly got ejected from the space engulfed in light. Time gradually returned to normal, and the group sprinted towards us, unaware of what had just happened.
Eventually, they caught up with me as I waited to rejoin the group. I felt confident, even overpowered and the fear that once shrouded me was nowhere to be found.
'Was that strange light I saw just now you? And why are you glowing just like that other dude?' A male who sounded slightly younger than me questioned as I looked at him, my body emitting a useful intensity of light.
'Yes, it was me, and honestly, I have no idea why I'm glowing, but I'll take it as a superpower. As for that guy who's floating in the air, he's just stuck somewhere and waiting for help'.
It didn't seem like the boy who had just spoken with me understood the second half of my statement, but I was almost certain that the floating boy had heard me.
As the others ran off, I looked at him awaiting an engaging exit from his paralyzed state. I didn't know the reason he couldn't move and neither did he, but what I did know was that he would overcome the state.
'Now let's hope that my annoying words did the trick,' I muttered as I began following the group. I had no intention of fighting the beast yet. I wanted the boy to have a taste of his powers as well.
The distance between us grew and as the beast approached, the light emitted by the boy grew faint. I smiled, knowing he had escaped his predicament and sequentially, a few other sparks of light sourced at distant areas.
'Hey! Brat! I never got to know your name,' the boy's voice echoed and in an instant, I saw him slowly approaching me.
'I'm Noah, what about you?' I said, trying to conceal the smoke that formed on my face.
'As if I'd tell you my name after all the insults you gave me—' I immediately smirked, guessing his name, 'It's Carl isn't it?' He was surprised, questioning how I knew his name even though it was a silly guess I made.
'I know nerds when I see one. But, first thing's first, let's destroy this beast.' He nodded affirmatively although still angered by the term I described him as.