Chapter 11 : The System II

[Identify Level 1: Reveals basic information about objects, creatures, and phenomena. Can detect monster levels.]

"Level... like, how strong they are?" He tested it on his notebook:

[Correct. Combat potential is calculated and displayed as a numerical value. Higher numbers indicate greater threat levels.]

"Just monster levels?" Adom asked, thinking about all the potential applications.

[Correct. Level detection is limited to monsters and hostile entities. Other targets will display relevant information based on skill level]

He tested it on his notebook:

[Notebook]

Class (Quality): D (Poor)

Durability: 72%

Notes: Contains various spell diagrams and half-finished homework assignments. Several pages have ink stains.

"Huh." Adom flipped through the notebook, confirming the accuracy of the description. "That could be useful." He turned his gaze to the shimmering window itself:

[System Interface]

Type: Unique

Status: Bonded

Notes: A manifestation of the agreement. Further features will unlock as conditions are met.

Well, that was deliberately vague.

The agreement...

Adom frowned at a thought. "Hey, why does my body react in ways I don't... intend to? Like earlier, with Mia, I..." He felt his cheeks heat up. "I got nervous just because she smiled at me. Or even earlier, when those kids tried to intimidate me - my body just froze for a second when they called me. These aren't my reactions. Well, they are, but... they're not the reactions I should have with my future memories, right?"

[Your understanding is incomplete. You are not two separate entities - one past, one future - sharing a body. When you regressed, your future consciousness merged completely with your past self. You are both versions simultaneously.]

"I don't understand. "

[There is no "future self" or "past self" anymore - they are now one and the same person. Think of it like this: You didn't replace or kill your future self, nor did you simply add memories to your past self. Instead, both versions merged completely to create who you are now. You have all the experiences, memories, and wisdom of your future life, and all the physical responses, emotional patterns, and fresh perspectives of your younger self. Neither version died - they became a new, complete whole.]

[It's similar to how you don't say your five-year-old self "died" when you became ten. You simply grew and integrated new experiences. In this case, instead of linear growth, you've merged two points of your timeline into one consciousness.]

Adom leaned back, processing this. "So I'm... both? Or rather, I'm just me, with everything from both times?"

[Correct. You are Adom Sylla, with twelve years of lived experience and seventy-nine years of memories, all integrated into who you are now. Your future experiences weren't erased or killed - they're part of your current consciousness, just as much as your present experiences are.]

"That's... actually kind of reassuring." Adom smiled slightly. He wasn't carrying around a dead future version of himself. He was just... him. All of him.

Then he glanced at his stats again. "Wait a minute... why am I level 1? I mean, even in this body, I have decades of magical knowledge."

[Level primarily represents current combat effectiveness against baseline monsters. Knowledge alone does not translate to physical capability. Current form requires significant improvement to handle higher-tier encounters.]

"Okay, but why do I need to 'handle encounters' at all? Why have levels?"

[Levels serve as psychological motivation. Humans naturally seek improvement when presented with measurable progress markers.]

Adom snorted. "So you're basically trying to trick me into training?"

[Not trick. Encourage. System cannot grant power directly. Can only reflect growth achieved through personal effort. Think of it as a mirror showing potential.]

"And what's the point of that?"

[Your mission requires significant capability improvement. Current form is inadequate for challenges ahead. System provides framework for growth tracking and incentivizes development through unlockable features.]

"Like more inventory slots?" Adom asked, thinking of how useful even these five slots already were.

[Correct. Inventory expansion, enhanced identification range, additional interface features unlock with demonstrated growth. System does not provide power - you must earn it. System merely measures and rewards.]

"Sooo... you're just a fancy way to track progress."

[...Correct.]

His eyes moved down the window, noting the detailed stat breakdown:

[Physical Stats]

Strength: 6

Agility: 8

Stamina: 5

Dexterity: 7

[Mental Stats]

Intelligence: 142

Wisdom: 138

Focus: 91

Memory: 145

[Basic Abilities]

Reading: Advanced

Writing: Advanced

Mathematics: Intermediate

Physical Education: Poor

And dozens more...

"Another question," Adom said, frowning at the stats display. "These numbers - what exactly do they mean?"

[Stats reflect measurable physical and mental capabilities. For example: Current Strength rating of 6 indicates ability to lift approximately 60kg maximum weight]

"Just 60kg? I think I can lift more." He replied, flexing his tiny biceps.

[...No. You cannot. Please refrain from hurting yourself.]

"Why do you have to say it like..." Adom trailed off, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You know what? Never mind. Just... how do these numbers increase?"

[Through natural development. Would you like a demonstration?]

"Sure."

[Perform a push-up]

"A push-up? Is this really necessary?"

[Demonstration optional. Physical exercise one of many methods for natural strength development]

"No, no, I'll do it," Adom got down on the floor, somewhat awkwardly. He managed one push-up, arms trembling slightly.

[Again]

He complied, breathing harder this time.

[Again]

By the sixth push-up, his arms were shaking. "I don't see how this-"

[Continue]

The ninth push-up was a struggle. His muscles burned.

[Two more. Physical improvement requires pushing limits]

Gritting his teeth, Adom forced himself through the tenth, then the eleventh push-up. His arms felt like jelly.

[One final repetition]

With a grunt, he managed the twelfth push-up before collapsing onto the floor, panting.

A small notification appeared:

[Physical exertion past normal limits has resulted in natural body strengthening]

[Strength: +1/1000]

[Stamina: +1/1000]

"What's..." Adom panted, still on his hands and knees, "what's with the plus one?"

[Progress measured on scale of 1000. Current status:

Strength 6 (1/1000) - 0.1% progress toward Strength 7

When progress reaches 1000/1000:

Level increases to Strength 7Maximum lift capacity increases to 70kgProgress resets to 0/1000

Same principle applies to all physical attributes]

"So," Adom said between breaths, "you didn't give me those stats. My body actually got stronger from the exercise?"

[Correct. Each full stat point represents significant physical development. Example: Strength 6 to 7 requires approximately:

3 months consistent trainingProper nutritionAdequate restProgressive overload exercises

System merely quantifies natural development. Stats will decrease if maintenance exercises are neglected]

In all his years studying magical artifacts and constructs, Adom had never encountered anything quite like this - a system that responded so naturally to thoughts, providing precise information without any visible mechanisms or magical circles. He needed to verify its consistency from multiple angles.

"And my Mage classification - that's not something you granted either, is it?"

[Negative. Classification reflects existing capabilities. System recognizes and categorizes based on predetermined criteria:

Ability to manipulate manaComprehensive magical knowledgeDeveloped mana pathways

You meet all criteria for Mage classification naturally]

"Hmm. Like how someone who runs marathons would be classified as a runner?"

[Correct analogy. System observes and measures. Does not grant abilities]

"And my mana pool?" he asked, looking at the 387/400 display.

[Mana capacity develops through two natural methods:

Physical conditioning - healthy body supports larger mana poolMeditation - increases efficiency of mana pathways

Combat training combines both aspects, leading to natural growth]

"So if I want to increase my mana pool..."

[Regular physical exercise and meditation recommended. Would you like to attempt another set of push-ups?]

Adom glared at the floating text. "I think I'll pass for now."

"Hold on," he said getting back up, now frowning at the empty skill slots. "Why don't I have any skills? I mean, I know how to do plenty of things. And what exactly counts as a skill anyway?"

[Skills are complex action sets that combine multiple stats and basic abilities. Example: Cooking skill requires:

Knowledge of ingredients and techniquesManual dexterity for cutting and preparationUnderstanding of heat and timingMemory for recipesFocus for consistent execution

When these components are mastered through repeated practice and understanding, System registers them as unified skill.]

"So just knowing how to do something isn't enough?"

[Correct. Knowledge without practical mastery does not constitute skill. Current form has knowledge but lacks physical conditioning and muscle memory. Previous life's physical skills must be relearned.]

"And these skill slots - the limit of ten - that's something you're imposing?"

[Negative. System reflects natural limitations, does not create them. Humans naturally vary in capacity for skill mastery. Some master two or three complex skills in lifetime. Others capable of ten or more. System merely quantifies existing potential.]

"Like a measuring tool?"

[Correct. System measures innate capacity for skill mastery. Your current potential: 10 slots. May change with growth.]

"Another question." Adom raised his hand, and wove a [Flame] spell. A small fire flickered to life above his palm. "Spell weaving is definitely a complex skill. Why can I do this?"

[Class: Mage (Runicologist) provides baseline magical capabilities. Class skills are inherent, not counted in skill slots. Soul-based abilities persist across physical changes.]

"So because I'm classified as a mage, I automatically have the basic skills that define what a mage is?"

[Correct. Class designation reflects core identity and fundamental capabilities. Magical knowledge and control are soul-anchored traits, preserved despite physical reset. Additional magical specializations beyond class baseline would require skill slots.]

Adom's eyes lingered on his class designation. "What's this little star next to 'Runicologist' for?"

[Indicates current primary specialization path. Progress: Level 300/1000

Available Mage Paths:

Runicologist (Current: 300)

Healer (Locked)Divination (Locked)Battle Mage (Locked)Elementalist (Locked)Alchemist (Locked)Druid (Locked)

Complete mastery (Level 1000) of all paths enables class evolution: [True Archmage]]

Three hundred? The number stung a bit. For someone who'd been praised as brilliant in runic studies, that felt... low.

Then there was the system's mention of 'True Archmage'...