Raul’s wide eyes stayed fixed on the glowing grey screen before him. As the <b>Console</b> screen floated in the quiet room, more text scrolled into view, responding to his unspoken thoughts.
[
<b>System Name:</b> The Console
<b>Function:</b> Allow the user to progress in magic by enabling in-depth analysis of spells.
]
Raul tilted his head. <i>Progress in magic? In-depth analysis? What does that even mean?</i>
As though the Console could hear his confusion, a new list materialized in front of him, its structure oddly familiar.
<hr>
<b>[</b>
<b>Features:</b>
<ul><li><b>Decipher</b> – Allows users to see the fundamentals of a spell and learn how individual components work.</li><li><b>Spell Store</b> – Enables the user to download and acquire existing spells that they’ve seen.</li><li><b>Tutorial</b> – Provides a rough idea of how a spell should function.</li><li><b>Debug</b> – Erases the effects of a crashed spell before too much damage is caused.</li><li><b>Analytics</b> – Generates detailed reports after a spell is engaged.</li><li><b>File Manager</b> – Stores acquired spells for later use.</li><li><b>Recharge</b> – Passively restores the system’s mana over time.</li></ul>
]Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
<hr>
Raul leaned closer, scanning the list. “Decipher? Debug? File Manager?” He shook his head. “I don’t understand half of this applies…”
His eyes flicked to one feature in particular: <b>Spell Store</b>.
Something about it tugged at his memories. The interface was strikingly similar to an app store on a smartphone. A faint smile crossed his lips—this was familiar territory.
Opening the Spell Store, Raul found rows of small, glowing icons, each paired with a name. Most of them were foreign, cryptic, and unfamiliar, but one caught his attention immediately.
<b>Chiming Winds</b>
The name was unmistakable. It was one of Faith’s favorite spells, a small but useful magic that summoned a cool breeze, perfect for hot days. He’d seen her use it often enough to recognize the symbol icon that accompanied the spell: a swirl of air.
Curiosity bloomed. Raul selected the spell, and a prompt appeared:
<b>Download? Cost: 5 Mana</b>
Raul blinked. <i>Mana?</i> He had no idea how much he had or even how to check, but the idea of acquiring the spell was too tempting.
Without hesitation, he thought the word <b>Download</b>, and the spell icon shimmered before dissolving into the Console’s interface.
A notification appeared.
[
<b>Spell “Chiming Winds” installed. Stored in File Manager.</b>
<b>]</b>
Raul’s heart raced. “Did I just... download a spell?” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Forgetting his fatigue, he sat up straighter, eager to explore further. The Console wasn’t just a strange tool—it was an entirely new way to interact with magic, something no one else seemed to have.
And he was only just beginning to understand its potential.