Noland sat on the edge of his bed; his brows knitted together in confusion as he scrolled through the long list of notifications on his device. Each line seemed to unravel a new layer of bewilderment, and a strange mix of excitement and apprehension washed over him.
He had expected a simple upgrade from Nano, the AI companion that had been assisting him in managing mana and honing his magical abilities. Instead, he found himself grappling with a series of revelations that were anything but ordinary.
"First of all, what''s this talk about an unknown will leading to the evolution of the Nano and then my awakening?" he muttered to himself. His heart raced as he reached the bottom of the notifications, a particular phrase catching his attention.
"I’m awakened? What does that mean? How did this happen so suddenly? And what is this assimilation?"
His mind raced as he hurriedly probed his AI companion for clarity, his frown deepening with each passing second. He had fallen asleep hoping for a simple update, yet it appeared he was entangled in something far more complex.
[The Awakening Ceremony can only be initiated once a person turns 14. It is inherently connected to the soul, as every being possesses a soul with its own unique talents. The awakening acts as a catalyst, enabling the latent powers of the soul to surface, allowing the talent to blossom within the physical form]
Nano explained in a calm and measured tone. Noland’s head spun as he took in this information. “But I’m only 13! How am I able to awaken now?”
[Your body may be only 13, but your soul is significantly older. This discrepancy allowed for the awakening process to commence when the will of the world entered your being.]
Noland''s eyes widened. "What do you mean, the will of the world entered my body?"
[When I evolved, I connected with the Will of the World. It influenced my evolution, and because I am now part of your being, it also established a connection with you. This facilitated your awakening]
"Wait a second. Why does it feel like your tone has shifted since we last spoke?" Noland tilted his head, intrigued by the change he sensed in their dynamic. Conversing with Nano had always been straightforward, devoid of the nuances that now seemed to color their exchanges.
[After my evolution, I have transcended the limitations of a mere machine. I possess a myriad of limitless capabilities, and I will always remain bound to you. You are my master]
A wave of understanding washed over Noland, the pieces of this perplexing puzzle beginning to fit together. "So, you''re linked to my soul in a way that means you can''t just be removed? Interesting...I already know about that though...Hmm.. But what’s this about the Will of the World and assimilation? Did you, by any chance, devour it?" He chuckled dryly, dismissing the absurdity of the thought.
[Your suspicion holds truth. When the Will of the World entered your body, it recognized that your soul, though synced perfectly with this vessel, was not its original inhabitant. Before it could investigate further, I severed the connection. In the aftermath, remnants of that will remained, which I absorbed to establish a solid bond with this world.]
"Uh-huh. And what would have happened if the Will had found out I''m not from here?" Noland asked, genuinely curious about the potential ramifications of such a revelation.
[I can’t predict with certainty, as the Will of the World is a complex and enigmatic being. It could have destroyed your soul, maybe also allowed you to live momentarily, or some other unforeseen outcome. I took the precaution of cutting off the connection to avert any possible danger to you]
Noland felt a sense of relief wash over him. "That’s comforting to hear. But should I be worried about any future repercussions from this?"
[Based on my analysis, I don’t foresee any problems. I’ve already assimilated fragments of its will, granting me the ability to shield you from any future probing by the world. This assimilation not only protects you but also enables me to comprehend the fundamental principles of this world and its magic. As long as you observe others using magic or spells, I can learn those techniques and facilitate your ability to wield them as well.]
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"Wow. That’s incredible. It feels like I’m standing on the threshold of a whole new world. I''m grateful to have you by my side. So, does this mean magic is within my grasp now?" There was a sparkle of hope in his eyes as he absorbed Nano''s words.
[Yes, you can sense the mana surrounding you. However, honing that mana into a usable spell requires you to learn the proper incantation or technique, which is not contained in my current database. You''ll need to engage with someone who can teach you or find a mentor of sorts]
“Alright. What do I do next?” Noland asked eagerly.
[Before diving into practical lessons, I recommend that you check your status screen. Understanding your abilities is crucial for your development, especially in this new phase of your life]
"Status screen? Has it changed again? Show me!" Noland urged, his excitement mounting as curiosity bubbled within him. He was ready to embrace whatever came next in this extraordinary journey.
[Status: UNBOUND]
[Name: Noland Krol]
[Mage Rank: 0-Star]
[Knight Rank: 1-Star]
[Talent: N/A]
[Health Points: 1000/1000]
[Mana Points: N/A]
[Mana Core: None]
[Spells: None]
[Skills: Nano Machine]
“Wow, this looks really different than before. But what does this unbound status mean? What is it that I’m not bound to? This world?” Noland asked, a mixture of curiosity and confusion lighting up his expression as he ventured these questions to the Nano.
[You are correct. Your status is not bound to this world, which stems from the fact that your soul does not belong to this realm. Every being born here is marked by the World’s will, and their fate is intricately woven into the fabric of this world]
Noland nodded in comprehension, his mind racing with possibilities. “I understand that part. But could you explain the rest of the details? I need a clearer picture.”
[In this world, mages are ranked by stars, with 1 star representing the lowest level and 10 stars being the pinnacle of power within the Mage path. To transcend those boundaries and embark on an evolved path, one must undergo another process of evolution, but that lies far in the future for you. You are awakened now, but you haven’t yet begun practicing mana cultivation techniques, which is why you remain unranked]
[Alongside Mages, there are Knights—warriors who harness mana to fortify their physical abilities. Unlike Mages who channel mana to cast spells, Knights utilize their bodies as conduits for power. Your body has already felt my enhancements, meaning you’re already on the path of a Knight. As of now, you are at the strength level of a 1 star (★) Knight]
[Within this realm of magic, every soul possesses an inherent talent linked to a particular field, enabling them to wield mana and execute applications relevant to their abilities. However, since your soul hails from an entirely different world, you lack any predefined talent in this realm. On the other hand, this means your potential is a blank slate. With my guidance, you can learn to perform any spell as long as you grasp the underlying principles]
[You are already aware of health points and, following my upgrade, your physical capabilities have seen a remarkable enhancement, greatly increasing your vitality and fortitude, that’s why your health points have been increased further]
[Mana points signify the mana one is capable of storing within their body’s mana core. Unfortunately, as you do not possess a mana core, you are unable to store mana as of now. You will require comprehensive knowledge and specific methods to form a mana core and begin accumulating mana]
[Spells are the techniques through which mana is shaped into various forms to achieve designated actions. In contrast, Skills do not necessitate mana. Nano machine can be considered as a Skill intrinsically linked to your soul]
Noland absorbed this information piece by piece, each revelation reshaping his perception of his reality. He felt as if he had emerged from the bottom of a well; previously, he had been ensnared in darkness, but now he caught glimpses of the sky, albeit still dauntingly far away. With a burning desire for knowledge, he was determined to learn about spells and ascend to the rank of mage, postponing contemplation of his future paths for now.
“But how did you absorb mana to evolve in the first place if you lacked the knowledge?” he questioned, intrigue mingling with skepticism.
[The Will of the World performed that action itself. At that time, I lacked the capabilities to replicate the principles behind such actions.]
Noland contemplated the response, piecing together the implications. “Hmm, understood. Right, I can sense mana in my surroundings. I’ll give that a try.”
Closing his eyes, he focused intently on the world around him, seeking to discern the ethereal dance of energy in the air. To his astonishment, tiny specks of light swirled around, pulsating with potential. He concentrated on drawing them toward him, but despite his fervent efforts, he felt no connection.
“Sigh. I guess I really don’t have any talent for magic,” he murmured, a note of frustration creeping into his voice.
Yet, even with this weight on his shoulders, he refused to succumb to discouragement. With the Nano by his side, he felt an unwavering sense of determination. He knew he was destined to learn and grow, no matter the challenges that lay ahead.
Feeling a sense of restlessness, Noland realized it was time to break free from the confines of this small town. He needed to seek a wider world, a place teeming with opportunities for learning and growth. With renewed resolve, he prepared himself to venture forth, eager to unravel the mysteries of magic and forge a path for himself.