Encounter

As I ran deeper into the forest, desperate to escape the monstrous bear chasing me, a new notification popped up in my vision: "Fatigue." The more I ran, the higher my fatigue level rose, directly linked to my low stamina and agility stats.

With both stamina and agility below double digits, the toll on my body was immediate. My legs burned, and my breath came in short, ragged gasps. But stopping wasn't an option. Waiting for a miracle wasn't an option. I had to act.

Frantically, I scanned the area for anything that could give me an edge. Then I spotted it—a massive fallen log with a hollow center just large enough for me to squeeze into.

"That's it!" I shouted, sprinting toward the log and diving into the hole.

The bear snarled, clawing at the log in frustration. Taking the opportunity, I scrambled out from the opposite end and resumed running. My heart pounded as I hid behind a nearby tree, watching the creature from a safe distance.

This bear—if it could even be called that—was unlike any predator I'd ever read about. Its desperation was unnerving. A creature of that size and ferocity shouldn't be so driven for a single meal. Was it starving after hibernation? No, this was something else.

It wasn't just its size or crimson-scaled hide that set it apart. Despite its bulk, the bear showed no signs of using its sense of smell—a trait that most bears excel at. Instead, it relied solely on sight and hearing. If I could exploit that...

Steeling myself, I crept around to its blind spot. Slowly, carefully, I climbed onto its back, its rough scales masking my movements. Once I reached its head, I jabbed a finger into one of its glowing blue eyes.

The bear roared in agony, thrashing violently. I clung on as tightly as I could, but it wasn't enough. The beast flung me off, sending me hurtling into the trunk of a nearby tree.

"Argh..." I groaned, my body screaming in pain. I looked up to see the bear rising on its hind legs, towering over me, ready to deliver the final blow.

I braced myself, closing my eyes. This was it.

But then the ground rumbled. A jagged thorn of rock erupted from the earth, piercing the bear's throat and driving upward through its skull. The beast let out one final gurgled roar before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

An elderly man stepped into view from the grass, his white robe trimmed with black linen. His long white beard swayed slightly in the breeze, and intricate jewelry shimmered in the fading light.

"You did well, child," he said, extending a hand toward me.

Weakly, I reached for his hand. But as I did, my vision blurred, and darkness consumed me.

When I woke, I was lying in a soft bed. The room around me was simple yet elegant, and the same elderly man sat nearby, engrossed in a book.

"You're awake," he said without looking up, flipping a page.

I sat up slowly, my body still aching. "Where am I?" I asked.

"You're safe," he replied, finally setting the book down. "My name is Ishtar Lothar. And you, child, are not of this land, are you?"

His words stunned me. "How... how can you speak my language?" I stammered, noticing the book he'd been reading was written in an unfamiliar script.

He smiled and raised a finger, pointing it at my forehead. "Magic. Specifically, a spell I developed to bridge language barriers."

As his finger touched my skin, a surge of energy flooded my mind. I gasped, overwhelmed by the sudden influx of knowledge.

"There," he said, withdrawing his hand. "The magic of language is now embedded within you."

I took a moment to steady my breathing. "Thank you. May I ask where I am?"

"This is the land of Aetheris," Mr. Ishtar explained. "A realm born of myths and legends, created by the Gods after the great war in the outer realms."

He handed me a map. The sheer size of the land left me speechless; it dwarfed any continent on Earth.

"And what about the system?" I asked. "The one that shows my stats?"

"Ah, the Mythos System," Mr. Ishtar said, his tone reverent. "A gift from the Gods to aid mortals in their growth. It allows individuals to gain strength, unlock skills, and one day shape the fate of this world."

He went on to explain the history of Aetheris. The Mythos System was a by-product of the ancient war between the beings of the First Beginning and the Gods and Goddesses of concept. The resulting catastrophe had merged multiple realms, including Earth, into one interconnected cosmos. The system was the Gods' way of empowering mortals to thrive in this new reality.

"And what about UA?" I asked, pointing to the unexplained section in my stats.

"Unique Ability," Mr. Ishtar said. "A power exclusive to you, determined by your essence. Unlike skills or magic, it cannot be taught or inherited."

He showed me his status window. Though most details were hidden, his level 512 was visible. I couldn't hide my shock.

"How do I level up?" I asked, showing him my own stats.

Mr. Ishtar sighed. "Your starting stats are... modest. You'll need to gain experience by hunting, learning skills, or practicing magic."

He handed me a book. "Start with this. Knowledge alone can help you grow."

I sat down and began reading. After just a few minutes, I felt a strange sensation. Checking my stats, I saw that both IQ and Mind had increased by four points while the rest only raised by one point. Even my level had risen to 4.

"You've leveled up already?" Mr. Ishtar asked, returning with tea and bread. "Impressive."

"Thank you for your help," I said, standing to introduce myself properly. "My name is Ezekiel Rhea."

Mr. Ishtar shook my hand. "Welcome to Aetheris, Ezekiel. You may stay here until you're ready to venture into the world."

Grateful, I smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Ishtar."

With a safe place to rest and a plan to grow stronger, I resolved to unlock my UA and prepare for the journey ahead. To start i began to go over the books Mr. Ishtar gave me. As i go over the books i could feel a burst of energy surging towards the entirety of my body.

I called out "Status Window"

"By the way, Mr. Ishtar, all my stats increased, but my mana stayed at zero. Why is that?" I asked, perplexed by the anomaly staring back at me from the translucent status window.

"That is strange," Mr. Ishtar mused, crossing his arms in thought. "Normally, every being is gifted a base amount of mana, determined by their lineage."

I suppressed the urge to reveal the truth—that I was not from this world. A foreign existence like mine had no place within Aetheris' natural order.

"Without mana, your ability to learn magic will be severely limited," he added, handing me another book. "Still, knowledge is a power of its own. Keep reading, and inform me when you reach level ten."

With that, he left the room, his robes trailing like whispers in the air. Left alone, I dove into the books he had provided. As I turned each page, I felt my mind absorbing the information with startling ease. It wasn't just learning—it was as though the words themselves were integrating directly into my being.

Hours later, the books were finished, and I called forth the status window again.

"Status window," I said aloud.

Name: Ezekiel Rhea

Age: 17

Sex: Male

Level: 12

UA: [Conditions 90% Met]

Stamina: 9

Strength: 7

IQ: 14

Mana: 0

Mind: 14

Skills: [None]

The rapid growth startled me. In just three hours, I'd gone from level four to level twelve. My physical stats hadn't changed, but both IQ and Mind had risen significantly.

Eager to share my progress, I summoned Mr. Ishtar. His eyes widened as he examined my updated status.

"Incredible," he murmured, clearly astonished. "You've gained eight levels simply by reading? Normally, studying is the slowest way to gain experience. Your case is... unique."

"Mr. Ishtar," I asked, "what exactly do IQ and Mind affect?"

"IQ measures your capacity for rapid learning and complex reasoning," he explained. "Mind, on the other hand, strengthens your resilience to mental attacks and enhances your ability to retain and process vast amounts of knowledge. Together, they're traits most valued by mages."

I frowned. My strongest stats aligned with the traits of magic users, yet my mana remained at zero.

"Is it possible to create magic?" I asked, eager to explore the possibilities.

"Magic itself cannot be created," he replied, "but magic skills can be developed, provided you have sufficient knowledge and talent. Take my Language Magic, for example. I traveled across lands and realms, learning countless tongues, and condensed their essence into a spell. It bridges all language barriers."

"So, if I understood the core principles behind magic, I could create my own spells?" I asked, flipping through one of the books.

"In theory, yes," he said, stroking his beard. "To create magic, you must grasp its origin. Observing another mage might help, but replication requires deeper insight."

Curiosity burned within me. "Then may I observe your magic, Mr. Ishtar?"

He nodded thoughtfully. "Very well. Follow me."

We ascended a nearby mountain, the air growing crisp and cool as we reached its summit. Mr. Ishtar raised his arms to the sky, his voice resonating with ancient power as he began to chant:

Mother of life, Keeper of Earth,

Ancient guardians of stone and soil,

By roots that bind and rivers that coil,

Unleash the power of the land's great birth.

From the depths of earth, where secrets lie,

Awaken strength as mountains rise high.

By seed and stone, by bark and vine,

Bring forth the balance, divine and fine.

Giver, hear my plea,

The steady, grant your decree.

As earth and sky in harmony meet,

Show this world your might and rule.

As the final words left his lips, the ground rumbled. Mountains shifted, forests grew wild, and barren lands bloomed into vibrant greenery. The sheer force of his power left me speechless.

"This is my Unique Ability," Mr. Ishtar said, his voice tinged with pride. "Titan's Grasp."

An aura of verdant energy surrounded him, radiating the essence of nature itself. He turned to me with an expectant gaze. "Now, Ezekiel, tell me—what is my origin?"

I thought carefully. Aetheris was a world crafted by gods and goddesses. His power felt tied to ancient myths of the earth.

"Your origin is Gaia and Geb," I said finally.

A smile crept across his face. "Correct."

As he ended his spell, the ground settled—but my system reacted violently.

"UA conditions met... Unlocking UA."

A sudden pressure engulfed me, and I doubled over as agony rippled through my body. Blood trickled from my left eye, and the sensation of something twisting and rotating inside my skull brought a scream to my lips.

"Ezekiel!" Mr. Ishtar rushed to my side, channeling his magic into me in a desperate attempt to stabilize my condition.

The pain reached its crescendo, then vanished as quickly as it had come. Gasping, I opened my eyes to see Mr. Ishtar's face filled with concern.

"Your left eye…" he began, trailing off.

I touched my face. "What about it?"

"It's turned white," he said. "And strange symbols now encircle your cornea."

A notification blinked into view.

Congratulations on Unlocking Your UA.

UA: Mimic Eye [???]

I inspected its description.

UA: Mimic Eye

Description: A unique, anomalous power beyond this world's established system.

Traits:

Eyes of Analysis: Enhanced perception, comprehension of language, and ability to decipher complex knowledge.

Replication Origin: Deep understanding of a skill's source required to replicate it.

Knowledge Growth: Power strengthens with accumulated knowledge and frequent use.

Humanity Diminished: Prolonged use may dull empathy and social connections.

Current Power Replications: [None]

Resource Drain: [Incomplete]

"This ability…" Mr. Ishtar's voice was heavy with caution. "It's remarkable, but its drawbacks must not be underestimated."

My head throbbed as the full implications settled in. I had gained immense power, but the price might be far greater than I had anticipated.

"You'll need rest," Mr. Ishtar said, helping me back to his home. He laid me on a bed and observed quietly. "Your body is already changing—becoming more athletic to accommodate this new power."

"Does this happen to everyone who unlocks their UA?" I asked weakly.

"UA typically awakens naturally," he replied, "but yours required unique conditions. That makes it… special."

Despite the overwhelming nature of my newfound strength, one thought burned brighter than all others: I would master this power, no matter the cost.