[Reward: Starforged Mage (Class)]
"Wait…" Orion froze. "A new class? I can get multiple classes?"
"Yes," Ember replied calmly. "Classes are born from a person's inner talent. If your astral energy is strong enough to support more than one, then having multiple classes is possible."
She had noticed the system prompt immediately. Though she couldn't understand the strange language it used, she easily inferred its meaning based on Orion's question.
"So," she continued, eyes glinting with curiosity, "your system is offering you a new class. What is it?"
"I haven't obtained it yet," Orion said. "This system gives missions. After completing them, I receive rewards. This is the first time it gave me a direct mission."
He swallowed.
"The mission is to consume your soul fragment. The reward is a class called Starforged Mage. Have you ever heard of it?"
Ember frowned and began pacing back and forth atop the podium.
"I'm certain I've heard that name somewhere…" she muttered. "But I can't recall where. Sorry."
"System," Orion said, "can you show me the class description?"
[You must acquire the class first.]
"… That's a shame," Orion sighed.
Ember studied him closely. "You trust that system quite a lot, despite knowing almost nothing about it. Do you even know what it wants? Or why did it choose you?"
Her tone carried a faint edge—almost jealousy.
She's kind of cute like this, Orion thought. But she does have a point.
"Well," he shrugged, "when I was thrown into this unknown world, it was the only ally I had. If it wanted to harm me, it wouldn't help me grow stronger. As for what it wants… I'll deal with that later."
"Hmph. Do whatever you want," Ember said, turning away. Then she paused. "Ah. I need to return to my grave."
"Wait—what? What about the soul fragment?" Orion asked.
"I've maintained this physical form for too long already. If I stay any longer, the soul fragment could be damaged. I'll return shortly—only a couple of hours. Then we'll begin."
Before Orion could respond, she vanished.
"… She's gone again," he muttered.
Orion spotted the throne she had created earlier—it was still there. He climbed up the podium and sat down.
"Holy shit," he muttered, eyes widening. "Is this real gold? Diamonds?"
He stared at it in disbelief. If he sold this throne back on Earth, he reckoned he'd make at least a hundred million bucks.
After marveling at it for a while, he leaned back.
"… And damn. This is comfy."
Relaxation overtook him instantly.
And just like that, Orion fell asleep.
When Orion woke up, his entire body felt refreshed, as if he'd slept for days.
"System," he yawned, rubbing his eyes, "how long was I out?"
[You were asleep for 9 hours.]
"Damn. Did Ember come back?"
[No.]
She did say a couple of hours…she sure is taking her sweet time
With nothing else to do, Orion decided to explore the upgraded system.
"System, show me the new features."
[System Upgrade Features:]
New UI
Shop
Mission Panel
Inventory
He already understood most of them—but his eyes locked onto one word.
"Shop? Whatis a shop?" he asked eagerly.
[Shop: The system's marketplace. Exchange magic stones for weapons, potions, skills, and more.]
Orion practically jumped off the throne—only to trip and fall flat on his face.
"Ow—worth it. Show me the shop panel!"
Orion was acting like a kid who'd just gotten his favorite toy for Christmas.
[Shop]
Weapons:
Emberfang Bow (B-rank): Fires arrows that ignite on impact
Price: 1,000 F-rank magic stones
Frostblade Spear (B-rank): Freezes enemies on contact
Price: 10,000 F-rank magic stones
Potions:
Healing Potion (D-rank): Heals minor, non-lethal injuries
Strength Potion (D-rank): Restores stamina and strength
Tools/Artifacts:
None available
Both weapons are tempting… Orion thought. But I don't have a single magic stone.
"How do I unlock more items?"
[Purchase items to expand shop inventory.]
"…alright...new side goal: gather as much as magic stones as possible." Then Orion thought something else
"What if I have no f rank magic stones but higher-ranked ones?"
[system currency exchange rate:
10 F-rank magic stones = 1 E-rank magic stone
50 E-rank magic stones = 1 D-rank magic stone
100 D-rank magic stones = 1 C-rank magic stone
300 C-rank magic stones = 1 B-rank magic stone
500 B-rank magic stones = 1 A-rank magic stone
1000 A-rank magic stones = 1 S-rank magic stone
Magic stones beyond S rank have unique value, each magic stone]
"Alright, thanks, that was really helpful." Orion gave the system a thumbs up.
"Now the inventory…" Orion muttered. "Is that what I think it is? Can I store my items in there?"
[Yes. That's correct.]
[The current inventory capacity is valued at 100]
"Inventory value…? I don't understand."
[When an item is stored, the inventory assigns it a value. An item's value is determined by its rank, size, and weight.]
"Hmm… that makes sense, I guess. How do I increase the inventory value?"
[Inventory value upgrades must be purchased from the shop. They will become available in the shop after your first purchase.]
Orion was stunned. The system was starting to sound disturbingly… corporate.
"System," he said flatly, "since when did you become so greedy?"
[The system cannot manifest items from nothing.]
[Magic stones are required to materialize items for the user.]
Orion was left dumbfounded by the clear irritation in the system's voice.
Still… he understood.
Nothing in this world comes for free.
After finishing checking out his new system, Orion decided to train.
"99…100…110."
After doing normal push-ups, He wasn't even tired.
Grinning, he picked up a massive boulder—at least 50 kilograms—and placed it on his back.
"99…ngh—100!"
This time, his muscles burned. Sweat soaked his tattered shirt.
He removed it and glanced down at his body.
"…My god… I'm almost like a god."
A teasing voice cut through his thoughts.
"My, my~ what do we have here?"
Orion froze.
Ember stood nearby, giggling—her cheeks faintly red.
"Oh my… you're quite sweaty," she teased. "What were you doing while I was gone, hmm?"
"EXERCISING," Orion snapped.
"Aha~ but being half-naked in front of a maiden with such a hot body is bad behavior, you know."
"My shirt was ruined," he said flatly. "I don't have—"
Before he could finish, a shirt identical to his old one materialized midair and flew toward him.
"Here."
As he put it on, Orion grinned. "So you liked what you saw?"
"Shut up!" Ember snapped, turning away. "Let's begin the soul consumption."
Orion gulped. "I'm ready."
"Good. Follow me."
She led him back to the podium. With a wave of her hand, the top opened, revealing stairs descending deep within.
They reached the bottom—and Orion's breath was stolen away.
A vast sea of crimson energy burned below, like living fire.
Just looking at it made breathing difficult.
His knees buckled.
"I told you it would hurt," Ember said calmly. "But you won't be seriously harmed."
She began chanting in an ancient, incomprehensible language.
The raging crimson energy calmed.
"Now…the final part."
She placed both hands on Orion's head.
Warmth poured into him.
At first, it felt comforting.
Then—
He felt like his body was burning.
"Hey—stop!" Orion screamed. "Stop, damn it!"
"Aghhhhh!"
"You're doing well," Ember said firmly. "Just a little more."
"Stop—please—AGHHHH!"
Pain swallowed everything.
And then… Orion's body gave out. He collapsed, unconscious.