Serian stepped out of the building, the cool breeze brushing against his skin. The city around him was busy—people walking by, cars honking in the distance, and the faint hum of technology in the air. He wasn't sure why, but everything seemed foreign, even though he had been here for a while now. It was as if he didn't belong, like a visitor who hadn't quite adjusted to the world he found himself in.
His first stop was the clothing store. He walked in, the cool air inside the store refreshing after the warm afternoon. The shelves were lined with clothes of all kinds—shirts, pants, jackets, shoes. Serian looked at the tags, the colors, the designs, but nothing made sense to him. How did you choose what to wear? What was considered normal here? He didn't know, so he simply picked out a few items that seemed like they would fit, holding them up to his frame. He had no idea about sizes, but the store employees didn't seem to mind.
When it was his turn at the counter, Serian handed over a card—a small piece of metal that felt strange in his hands. He had seen Adrian use it before, so he figured it would work. The cashier swiped it, and to Serian's surprise, the payment went through. The card was magic, it seemed—something that let him buy things even though he didn't know how.
"Thank you," the cashier said with a smile. Serian just nodded, not quite understanding why or how he was being thanked, but he accepted the bag with his new clothes.
He wandered the streets for a bit longer, eventually making his way to a small café where he sat down with a cup of something warm. It was bitter, but it had a warmth to it that he found comforting. He stared out the window, watching people pass by, and wondered if they knew the fragility of their lives. There was something... fleeting about them, something that made Serian feel both detached and curious at the same time.
His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed a large group of people walking out of a tall building in the distance. They were wearing uniforms—scientists, perhaps. Their faces were tense, and some carried equipment that seemed odd to Serian. He didn't know what it was for, but they didn't seem friendly. He stood up and moved closer, walking through the crowd, curious about what was going on.
As he approached, he saw it. There were soldiers, lined up with their weapons drawn, shooting at a group of strange, vine-like plants that were growing from the cracks in the ground. The plants were thick and slimy, their tendrils squirming like worms. They looked almost alive, moving in a way that sent a chill down Serian's spine. The soldiers fired their guns, and the plants shriveled and died, but it didn't seem to stop them. More kept sprouting from the ground.
Serian stood there, watching the scene unfold before him. He didn't fully understand what was happening, but there was something deeply unsettling about it. Why were they fighting these plants? What had they done to deserve being shot at? His curiosity grew, and just as he was about to approach further, something caught his eye.
A man walked toward the plants. He was tall, his posture calm and collected. He was handsome, with dark hair and a piercing gaze. The soldiers didn't seem to notice him at first, but Serian did. There was something about him that felt different—like he belonged here, like he understood what was going on.
Without warning, the man raised his hand, and the plants seemed to react. The slimy vines twisted and turned, as if they were being controlled by his presence. For a moment, the air felt thick with tension, and then—just like that—the plants began to shift. In a blink, they changed. The vines retracted, their once-wriggling tendrils now stiffening into human forms. People—dead people—appeared where the plants once stood. They had been turned into monsters, and now they were turning back into their human form, though lifeless.
Serian blinked in confusion. The transformation had been sudden, too fast for him to fully grasp. But what caught his attention the most was the way the soldiers responded. They didn't seem surprised at all. They simply started to move toward the fallen humans, checking for signs of life.
The man who had stopped the plants stood quietly, his gaze never leaving the dead bodies. He didn't move to help them. He simply observed, like a watcher of something he had seen before.
Serian felt a strange weight in the air. It wasn't fear—it was curiosity, an intense need to understand. Why had these humans turned into monsters? Why were they being killed, and then turned back into their human form? And more importantly, why did humans kill other humans?
The question echoed in Serian's mind. He didn't understand. In the world he had come from, such actions didn't make sense. Gods, they didn't even kill. So why were these people, these humans, killing each other? Why was this world so full of violence and death?
He took a step forward, his curiosity getting the better of him. He didn't know if he should approach the man, the soldiers, or just leave. But before he could decide, the man turned to face him. His eyes locked onto Serian's, and for a moment, everything felt still. There was no sound, no movement—just the two of them, locked in a silent exchange.
Serian tilted his head, as if trying to ask without words. The man didn't speak, but his expression softened just slightly. Then, with a small nod, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the chaos of the street.
Serian stood there, frozen. His mind was buzzing with questions. He didn't know what had just happened, but one thing was clear: this world was full of mysteries—things he didn't understand. And it troubled him.
As he turned and began walking back home, his thoughts lingered on the events he had just witnessed. He wasn't sure why the humans fought. Was it because they were afraid? Or was it something deeper, something that made them turn on each other? He didn't have the answers, but he couldn't help but wonder if he would ever find out.
*****
Serian sat in his room, surrounded by the books Adrian had gifted him. He flipped through the pages slowly, absorbing the information. The books were full of details about how humans grew in power—through experience, effort, and the system that governed their lives. There were terms he had never encountered before: "Ranks," "Gifts," "Awakening," and "Levels." His brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of it all.
The Human System was a structure built around survival and combat progression. Serian found the concept simple yet intriguing. Each human, depending on their potential, could grow stronger by overcoming challenges and reaching new milestones. The system was based on levels—something similar to the idea of growth, but formalized and structured.
Understanding Human Levels:
Levels 1-5: Initial Awakening
Every human started at Level 1. The first five levels were about awakening one's potential, discovering their Gift or talent, and learning to control their abilities. This stage was about basic survival skills, simple magic, and combat.
Gifts were innate powers humans had, ranging from elemental magic to physical enhancements or special abilities. These Gifts would become stronger as they leveled up.
Awakening was a crucial event when a person discovered their Gift, usually occurring around their 17th year of life. It was a rite of passage that solidified their ability to grow in strength.
Levels 6-10: Basic Training
After awakening, humans would enter formal training. Their physical abilities and control over their Gift would be tested and refined. During this stage, they learned to fight, to harness magic, or to enhance their inherent talents through intense focus and practice.
Many humans would join guilds or schools during this phase to further develop their skills and gain practical experience by working on missions or fighting weaker monsters.
The First Rank was usually awarded to those who reached Level 10, marking them as capable individuals within society.
Levels 11-15: Intermediate Mastery
Humans at this stage were gaining confidence in their abilities and had begun to push past their limits. Their Gifts would evolve, becoming stronger and more specialized. They were now able to deal with tougher monsters, more complex magic, and larger responsibilities. Most humans at this point would take on missions or tasks that required a higher level of skill, such as exploring dangerous territories or confronting formidable foes. The Second Rank was granted to those who reached Level 15, and many considered themselves advanced at this point. They could become leaders within guilds or organizations and even participate in the defense of their district.
Levels 16-20: Advanced Proficiency
At Levels 16-20, humans were highly skilled and dangerous. They had mastered their Gifts and combat techniques to a significant degree. This stage was where humans began to establish themselves as legends in their field.
A select few might develop Unique Gifts, abilities that were so powerful they became a cornerstone of their identity. By the time a human reached Level 20, they were considered elite fighters, capable of defending entire districts or cities against even the most powerful threats. At this stage, they could start to lead major guilds, armies, or other organizations. The Third Rank was given at Level 20, and they were revered by their peers. It was not easy to reach this level, and it took years of dedicated work and battle to achieve.
Levels 21-25: Legendary Status
Levels 21-25 represented the pinnacle of human achievement. By now, a human would have the strength and mastery to take on some of the most formidable threats in the world. They were known across the lands and could even face Monarch-class Beasts or other high-level beings.
At this stage, they were often tasked with leadership roles—defending entire regions or taking part in international campaigns. They had achieved Legendary Status, and their names were whispered as heroes or feared as tyrants.
Reaching Level 25 would mark them as one of the greatest humans to ever live
Beyond Level 25: Limitations of Humanity
While humans could continue to improve even past Level 25, their growth plateaued. Their power was capped by the limits of their human form—strengthening their Gifts and mastering their abilities further became increasingly difficult.
There was talk of a Final Rank—a myth, perhaps—where a human could transcend their limitations and reach something akin to divinity, but none had achieved such a thing. It was believed that the human body simply couldn't withstand the amount of power required to reach this level.
Serian sat back, thinking about the progression laid out in front of him. To an outsider, it was just a series of ranks, levels, and milestones. But to him, it was a strange reflection of his own existence—something that seemed so mundane yet held deep meaning for those bound by it. He understood why humans clung to this system; it was a path they could walk, a way to grow stronger, to survive, to matter.
But what about him? Could he, even without fully embracing the mortal struggle, follow a similar path? The idea felt strange to him. Could he awaken like them? Could he grow stronger in this form, even if he didn't quite understand what his power truly was?
Serian stood up, letting the books fall closed on his desk. The answer wasn't clear yet, but perhaps that was the lesson. He had to experience it for himself. Like these humans, he would have to learn, grow, and find his way through this unfamiliar world.