System’s Life on the Line

Tyla drifted in an endless expanse of silver light. The space around her shimmered like liquid metal, stretching infinitely in all directions. There was no ground beneath her feet, no ceiling above—just an overwhelming stillness, weightless and surreal.

A soft, artificial chime echoed in her ears.

[Initializing…] the system voice sounded.

Tyla stiffened. A translucent interface materialized before her, its glowing icons hovering in midair:

[Host] [Teammates] [Soulmate] [Shop] [Inventory]

Tyla's pulse quickened. She reached toward the interface hesitantly, but before she could touch it, something bright zipped into her vision.

A blur of golden light, flitting too fast for her eyes to follow. Then—

"Tyla! Tyla! Finally, you woke up! I was so worried!"

The voice was different.

Gone was the cold, robotic tone. In its place was something warm, high-pitched, and undeniably alive.

Tyla blinked. And then she saw it.

A tiny, glowing figure hovered before her, radiating soft golden light.

It was… a pixie.

Tyla's breath caught in her throat.

She had never seen anything like it before. The little creature had golden hair that shimmered like sunlight, delicate wings that flickered with iridescent light, and a dress made of layered pink petals. It looked straight out of a fairy tale, and yet, here it was—hovering just inches from her face, looking at her with wide, expectant eyes.

"W-What…?" Tyla barely managed to speak.

The pixie puffed out her chest proudly, twirling midair. "Welcome to the System Space!"

Tyla was still trying to process what she was seeing. "You… you're the system?"

The pixie giggled. "Yep! I'm System 111, your personal guide!" Then, suddenly, her expression wavered, and she fidgeted with her tiny hands. "And, um… my life depends on you."

Tyla's wonder snapped into suspicion. "Excuse me?"

System 111 inched closer, wings fluttering anxiously. "If you don't grow stronger… if you don't improve… w-we both die." She forced an awkward giggle. "No pressure!"

Tyla's stare hardened. "That sounds like a lot of pressure."

The pixie drooped. "Ehehe… well, that's why I'm here to help! We can do this together!" She clapped her hands together, regaining her enthusiasm. "To start you off, here's your Beginner Package!"

A soft chime rang through the air, and a small chest materialized before Tyla, its surface gleaming with an otherworldly sheen. As it creaked open, three objects revealed themselves within:

1. Arcane Awakening Potion – A delicate glass vial filled with swirling deep-blue liquid.

Description: Activates dormant receptors in the body, allowing the user to cultivate magic.

2. Mana Cultivation Manual – A small book, its cover pulsing with a faint glow, ancient symbols shifting along its surface.

Description: A foundational technique to absorb and refine mana.

3. Astral Projection Guide – A silver-inked scroll, its parchment humming with an unfamiliar energy.

Description: A method to separate the soul from the body and explore the astral realm.

Tyla hesitated before picking up the vial. The liquid inside seemed to swirl as if alive, reacting to her touch. "And I just… drink this?"

System 111 bobbed excitedly. "Yes! Yes! Then you'll be able to cultivate mana and do amazing things! Like—like throwing fireballs! Or flying! Probably!"

A new notification appeared:

[First Mission: Cultivate Mana]

Objective: Absorb mana for the first time.

Reward: 50 System Points + Random Beginner Spell Book.

Failure: …Please don't fail.

Tyla arched an eyebrow. "And if I do fail?"

System 111's wings fluttered erratically. "Let's… not think about that!" She forced a nervous laugh before quickly pulling up another mission. "Oh! And there's another mission waiting once you're ready!"

[Second Mission: Learn Astral Projection]

Objective: Successfully separate your soul from your body.

Reward: 100 System Points + ???

Tyla exhaled, fingers tightening around the vial.

This was real. It had to be.

The weight of the vial, the warmth of the glowing book, the lingering hum in the space around her—it was all too tangible to be a mere hallucination.

System 111's voice softened. "Tyla, we can do this. We have to."

Tyla hesitated for only a moment longer before uncorking the vial. The scent of something ancient and electric curled into her lungs. She tilted it back—

And drank.

Fire.

A sharp, searing heat erupted in her chest, igniting every nerve in her body. It burned—scalding and relentless—spreading from her core to her limbs like molten lightning. She gasped, her vision swimming as the System Space wavered and cracked around her.

Then, with a violent pull, the world shattered.