Magic?

As Ashton laid upon his bed shifting every so often he slipped into his own dreams.

"Ashton" Ashton heard his father call out to him

"Dad?" Ashton called out, searching through the darkness for his father.

"I'm not your father, I am however borrowing his likeness to make you feel more comfortable with this exchange. You can think of this as some type of vivid dream my child."

"I don't understand who are you?" Ashton asked aloud into the nothingness.

"I am a representation of the system, in this form to make you feel safe."

"What do you mean a representation of the system? I thought the system just existed for everybody?"

Ashton was looking around worried at this point.

"To most inhabitants yes i'm merely a passive progress tracker, but for individuals with a stronger connection I act as a guide to assist and guarantee their survival."

Ashton heard his father's voice talking back to him, and as comforting as it was to hear his voice once again, the knowledge that it isn't his dad left him feeling empty.

"So I have a stronger connection to you, why? What does that even mean?"

His father's voice called back out to him "It means you're not alone in any of this, and I will be here to help you whenever I can, and however I can."

Ashton thought for a moment. "So do you have a name? Can you stop using my father's voice?"

The darkness receded, and Ash could see a hooded figure standing in the still blank space.

Now with an older gruff sounding voice the figure spoke once again. "Young Ashton I am your guide, and a tool for you to use on your path. I'm only aware of so many things, mostly things within the system, and your own thoughts.

" So no, I cannot cut off other people's access or give you information about others through the system."

Ashton let out a sigh. "So why are you here now, what help have you come with."

"You spoke with the boy Kayman about magic, how he got his, and how to get your own. I am here to inform and guide you as well as give you as many options as possible."

Ashton drew up a blank at those words. "Can I learn more than one type of magic?"

"With my assistance that is possible but I warn you of branching out too far. A stronger foundation may be wiser than an over abundance of lesser magics.

" Stick with one type per each step in cultivation for now."

"That makes sense." Ashton responded while gazing at the figure which to this point hadn't moved or removed its hood.

"For now you have the capability of learning a few different magics based off of your personal experience, and your heritage."

"Personal experience can have an effect on the magic you learn?"

"Of course my young friend, magic is a representation of oneself, it can manifest in many different ways. Most never know their true potential so a few dreams are scattered here and there for people with unique capabilities. Much like your friend."

"Oh." Ashton answered thoughtfully

The old voice continued on after moving the darkness to create a table and a few chairs.

"This is your mindscape as of right now, very empty as this is your first time here. In time you'll learn to shape it and make it fit to you. Take a seat with me so we may discuss your latent magical aptitudes."

Ashton took his seat across from the assistant and waited for it to continue.

"Ashton my young friend you have some interesting magical choices you can learn, but focus on only one for now. I will show you how to make it yours after you pick."

The system was pulled up in front of Ashton with a series of choices. Roughly fifty screens had appeared.

"Blue fire, healing water, levitation, cutting wind... " Ashton mumbled out the names of several of them before dismissing them until finding three that had interested him.

"Shadow magic, demonic magic, and soul magic. These seem to be the most broad one giving their one word type. Can you explain these to me?" Ashton asked with apparent joy on his face.

"Yes young man. Shadow magic is the ability to create, or manipulate shadows through magic as the name suggests. This will have extraordinary uses in the dark, however in the light the availability of shadow will be up to you.

"Demonic magic deals with the ancient race of demons, and their unique magic. This will be harder magic to tackle as it's an extraordinarily old record in the system.

"Soul magic draws upon the power of your soul to do as you bid. You picked three of the most extraordinary magics as their only limits will be your ability and imagination. Beyond that these have neigh infinite potential to be either devastating or extraordinarily helpful to you."

Ashton listened intently to the figure before responding. "I wish to use the demonic magic. If it's as old and unused as you say people will have difficulty figuring out what my abilities are, or how to counter them."

"A wise and difficult choice you have made. So be it."

With that Ash lost his connection to his mindscape and slept peacefully without issue through the night.

The dawn came and with it Ash awoke.

'First things first let's check up on my status. Then I can see if that crazy dream was real or not.'

Name: Ashton Silverfoot

Race: Accursed

Soul: Cursed Beast (1)

Strength: 26

Finesse: 25

Vitality: 26

Intelligence: 25

Skills:

Martial arts: Beginner

Bowyer: Beginner

Archery: intermediate

Survivability: Advanced

Hunting: Intermediate

Perception: Intermediate

Stealth: Intermediate

Hand to Hand: Novice

Sign language: Advanced

Abilities:

Bone Claws: Form claws of bone around your hand/claw Increases Strength

Life Steal: Restore your wounds with the blood of your enemies

Bottomless Stomach: You can eat, and eat, and eat

Crimson Aura: Your cultivation taken physical form. Grant's you protection and enhances you slightly at this stage

Magic:

Demonic-

'Huh it really happened, now how on earth do I use magic?'

Ashton rubbed his head as he questioned how to use his new found magic. 'I should seek out the master and see what he knows about demons, and if he can help me with this, but I should keep the crazy dream to myself.'

Ashton left his spacious, but nearly empty room in his disciple robes and headed right for the headmasters office.

Ash walked unimpeded through the wide hallways quickly reaching the older gentlemens' office.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

"Ashton please come in."

Belross's voice called out from the other side. Ash walked in with a certain joyfulness to his steps.

"Master I've had a dream, and require your guidance."

"Oh? Do tell me of this dream."

Belross exclaimed looking up from the book he was holding.

"My father appeared before me and told me I had demonic magic. It has appeared on my status, however I haven't the slightest idea how to use it. Not only that after my dream my intelligence shot up to meet my other stats."

Belross's eyes widened with surprise as he spit out the hot tea he had been sipping. With a hurry he got up and spoke. "You have what kind of magic? Demonic? Do you have any idea how rare this is!"

Belross grew more excited with each word. "I've only read of demons in very old tomes, I've never seen one or heard of somebody with their magic! This is exciting, no doubt quick lets run some basic tests!"

Belross's tone sped up and grew in volume as it was very apparent this brought him joy. "Okay Ash lets start off easy. You need to look inside of you and feel for your magic, even if you can't bring it forth in physical form. You should be able to sense it within your brain."

"I'll try my best master."

Ashton took a seat and closed his eyes and tried to feel inside of himself for any sensation not natural. 'There is a new feeling inside me, but it feels strange?' Ashton questioned himself as he opened his eyes. "Master, I feel something inside of me but it's weird?" Ashton spoke with a questioning tone.

"Details my young friend!" Belross exclaimed as he took another sip of his tea.

"Well I'm not all too sure. It feels like there is a liquid inside my body all over moving slowly, and..."

Ashton shook his head as he spoke unsure of what words to use. "It feels like it's seeping into my body and changing it?"

"My boy! This is amazing! Not only did you gain a new magic I've never heard of. You're undergoing a mana transformation as we speak, and it's not harming you at all!"

Ashton with a stupefied look on his face responded. "What on Iclite are you going on about? What is a mana transformation, and what do you mean not harming me?"