Ariel stared at the translucent screen hovering before his eyes, his mind struggling to process what he was seeing. The blue glow cast soft light across his new face, reflected in the mirror beside him.
'This is really happening. This isn't a dream. I'm actually in another world with some kind of game system interface.'
The screen flickered, and new text began scrolling across its surface.
[Welcome to Eryndor]
[World Classification: High Mana Density Realm]
[Threat Level: Extreme]
[Dominant Species: Humans, Beasts, Demi-Humans, Dragons, and Others]
[Current Location: Valtheris Kingdom, Eastern Continent, Crowcrest Estate]
More information flooded the display, coming so fast Ariel could barely keep up. Maps appeared and disappeared, showing continents he'd never seen, oceans that stretched beyond comprehension, mountain ranges that pierced the clouds.
'Eryndor. That's the name of this world. And I'm in some place called Valtheris Kingdom.'
Before he could fully absorb the geographical information, the screen cleared and new text appeared, this time in a different format, as if the system itself was addressing him directly.
[Greetings, Avatar. I am the Celestial System, gifted to you by Aethera, Goddess of Cosmos. I shall serve as your companion, guide, and interface throughout your journey in this realm.]
Ariel blinked. The system was talking to him. Actually communicating like a person rather than just displaying information.
"You can... talk?" he whispered, his voice still rough from disuse. It was the first time he'd spoken aloud since arriving in this body, and hearing his own voice sound slightly different, clearer, more refined, sent another jolt of strangeness through him.
[I can communicate through text interface, yes. While I lack true sentience, I possess enough adaptive intelligence to serve your needs effectively. Think of me as a sophisticated tool designed specifically to aid you in understanding and utilizing your powers.]
'A sophisticated tool. Right. Because that's totally normal.'
Ariel moved away from the mirror and sat down heavily on the edge of the massive bed, his legs suddenly feeling weak. Everything was happening too fast. Death, gods, reincarnation, and now a talking system interface. His mind felt like it was racing and crawling simultaneously, trying to catch up with a reality that had shifted completely beneath his feet.
[I understand this is overwhelming,] the system continued, as if sensing his distress. [Allow me to provide context that may help ground you in your new circumstances.]
The screen shifted, displaying what looked like a simplified textbook entry.
[Eryndor: A World Primer]
[This realm operates on fundamentally different principles than your world of origin. The primary difference is the presence of mana, a universal energy that permeates all things. Mana flows through the air, the earth, the water, and every living creature. It is the foundation of what your old world would call magic, though here it is as natural as breathing.]
[All humans in Eryndor possess the potential to awaken their mana core, the organ through which they can sense, absorb, and utilize mana. This awakening typically occurs at age fifteen through a natural process triggered by physical and spiritual maturity. Once awakened, individuals can begin the path of cultivation, growing stronger through training, combat, and the accumulation of mana.]
Ariel leaned forward, reading intently. This was crucial information, the kind of thing that could mean the difference between survival and death in a world he knew nothing about.
[However,] the text continued, and somehow he could sense a note of significance in the words, [the body you now inhabit has not yet undergone its awakening. Ariel Crowcrest turned seventeen two months ago, and for reasons unknown, his mana core remains dormant. In a prominent family like the Crowcrest clan, this is considered deeply unusual and problematic.]
'So I'm in the body of someone who should have awakened two years ago but didn't. Great. That's probably not going to cause any issues at all.'
The sarcastic thought came automatically, a defense mechanism from years of dealing with disappointment. But beneath the sarcasm was genuine concern. If this body was defective somehow, if it couldn't use mana properly, then what good were the Celestial Wills the gods had given him?
[Do not be alarmed,] the system said, once again seeming to read his emotional state. [The dormancy of this body's natural mana core is irrelevant. You now carry Celestial Wills, which operate on an entirely different principle. However, understanding the standard system of this world will be essential for navigating its social structures and power hierarchies.]
"Okay," Ariel said aloud, needing to hear his own voice to anchor himself. "So everyone here uses mana. They awaken at fifteen. This body didn't awaken, which is weird. But I have something better now because of the gods. Got it. What else do I need to know?"
[Your status is now ready for review. To access it, simply think the word "status" with intent. The interface will respond to your mental commands.]
Ariel took a deep breath. 'Alright. Here goes nothing. Status.'
The screen flickered and transformed, reorganizing itself into a structured display that made his heart rate spike with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
[AVATAR STATUS]
Name: Ariel Crowcrest
Age: 17
Title: Avatar of Chaos, Avatar of Cosmos
Race: Human
Rank: F (Low)
[CELESTIAL WILLS]
• Cosmos (Aethera) - Tier: Dormant
• Chaos (Nyx) - Tier: Dormant
[ATTRIBUTES]
Strength: 15
Agility: 18
Endurance: 16
Intelligence: 22
Perception: 15
Will: 20
[ABILITIES]
None
[BLOODLINE]
Crowcrest Legacy (Ancient Tier)
Soul Regalia: The ability to forge a weapon from your mana core
Element: ???
Ariel stared at the display, his eyes scanning each line multiple times. Numbers. Categories. Rankings. It was surreal seeing his existence quantified like this, reduced to statistics and labels.
'Rank F. That sounds terrible. Is F terrible? It's usually the worst grade in any system.'
[Allow me to explain each component of your status,] the system offered. [We shall begin with the most straightforward elements and progress to the more complex.]
The attributes section highlighted itself.
[Attributes represent your physical and mental capabilities. For reference, an average untrained adult human in Eryndor has attributes ranging from 8 to 12. Your current values reflect the baseline of the body you inhabit, which, despite not having an awakened mana core, has been well maintained through physical training and education befitting a noble heir.]
[Strength governs physical power and the ability to exert force. Agility represents speed, reflexes, and coordination. Endurance determines stamina and resistance to physical harm. Intelligence reflects cognitive ability, memory, and learning capacity. Perception covers sensory acuity and awareness of your surroundings. Will measures mental fortitude, resistance to psychological attacks, and determination.]
'So I'm above average in most things. Intelligence is especially high. Makes sense, I guess. I always did well in school when I actually got to attend. And Will is high too. Probably from surviving seventeen years of hell.'
The thought carried bitter satisfaction. At least his suffering had quantifiable value now.
[Your rank indicates your overall power level within this world's hierarchy,] the system continued, highlighting the "Rank: F (Low)" designation. [The ranking system progresses as follows: F, E, D, C, B, A, S, and then into the Transcendent stages beyond mortal limits. Each rank is subdivided into four tiers: Low, Mid, High, and Peak. You currently occupy the lowest position, which is standard for someone without an awakened mana core.]
[For context: F rank represents ordinary humans with minimal combat ability. E rank are novice cultivators who have just begun their journey. D rank are trained soldiers and guards. C rank are elite warriors and low level adventurers. B rank are powerful combatants capable of facing dangerous beasts. A rank are renowned warriors who can influence battles. S rank are legendary figures who can alter the fate of kingdoms.]
[Beyond S rank lie the Transcendent stages, where beings transcend mortal limitations and begin approaching the power of lesser deities. These stages are rarely achieved and are considered the realm of ancient monsters and chosen heroes.]
Ariel felt his stomach sink. F rank low. The absolute bottom of the ladder. In a world where strength determined survival, he was starting at the level of a helpless civilian.
'But I have the Celestial Wills. That has to count for something, right?'
As if responding to his thought, the Celestial Wills section brightened.
[Celestial Wills are the inherited power of gods, granted to their chosen avatars. They represent a fundamental force of existence made manifest within a mortal vessel. Your possession of not one but two Celestial Wills is unprecedented. No avatar in recorded history has ever carried the authority of multiple Old Gods simultaneously.]
A small flicker of pride sparked in Ariel's chest despite everything.
[Celestial Wills progress through seven tiers of mastery: Dormant, Awakened, Ascended, Transcendent, Supreme, Sacred, and Divine. Each tier represents a monumental milestone in power and understanding. The gap between tiers is vast, often requiring years or decades of growth to bridge.]
[Dormant is the initial state, where the Will exists within you but remains largely inaccessible. Awakened allows basic manipulation of the Will's domain. Ascended grants significant control and the manifestation of domain abilities. Transcendent marks the point where you begin to genuinely embody the god's authority. Supreme represents mastery that rivals lesser deities. Sacred approaches the power of the god themselves. Divine means you have fully realized the potential of the inherited Will, becoming a god in all but name.]
'So I have god power, but it's locked. Dormant. Useless until I do something to activate it.'
The realization was frustrating. He'd been given incredible gifts, powers that could supposedly help him survive an intergalactic war, but right now they were just potential. Unrealized. Dormant.
[Finally, we come to your bloodline,] the system said, and the Crowcrest Legacy section expanded, filling the screen with additional information.
[Bloodlines are inherited traits passed down through family lines, the result of ancient pacts, blessings, or genetic mutations caused by prolonged exposure to powerful mana or entities. The strength and rarity of a bloodline is categorized into tiers: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary, Mythic, and Ancient. The Crowcrest bloodline is classified as Ancient tier, placing it among the most powerful bloodline legacies in existence.]
[The Crowcrest Legacy grants two primary abilities. First, Soul Regalia: the capacity to forge a weapon directly from your mana core. This weapon is unique to each individual, shaped by their soul's essence, and grows in power alongside its wielder. It cannot be destroyed as long as you live, and only you can wield it. The weapon will reflect your nature, your desires, your very being given physical form.]
[Second, every Crowcrest inherits an affinity for a single element. This element becomes intrinsically tied to their mana, making all techniques of that element significantly more powerful and easier to master. Common elements include fire, water, earth, wind, and lightning. Rare elements include ice, metal, light, darkness, and spatial. Your specific element has not yet manifested, as it typically reveals itself during the mana core awakening process.]
Ariel read and reread the bloodline description, his mind churning. A weapon forged from his soul. An elemental affinity that would define his fighting style. These weren't just abstract concepts; these were concrete abilities he would actually use.
'A weapon from my soul. What would that even look like? What kind of weapon would represent someone like me?'
He tried to imagine it but came up blank. He'd never been a fighter in his old life. Never held a real weapon beyond kitchen knives. What could his soul possibly forge?
[Bloodline tiers follow a hierarchy of rarity and power,] the system explained. [Common bloodlines grant minor benefits, perhaps slightly enhanced strength or basic elemental resistance. Uncommon bloodlines provide moderate advantages, such as improved mana capacity or minor supernatural abilities. Rare bloodlines offer significant powers that can define a warrior's entire fighting style. Epic bloodlines are treasured by noble families and grant abilities that can turn the tide of battles. Legendary bloodlines are the stuff of myths, possessed by ancient clans and providing powers that border on the supernatural. Mythic bloodlines are exceedingly rare, perhaps a dozen in the entire world, granting abilities that defy normal logic. Ancient bloodlines like yours are rarer still, potentially unique or possessed by only one or two families across all continents, providing powers that can shape the fate of nations.]
'So I hit the jackpot with the body I landed in. Ancient bloodline. Prominent family. I should be grateful.'
And he was, in a way. But gratitude was complicated by the weight of expectation that came with such a prestigious position. The original Ariel Crowcrest had failed to awaken his mana core at fifteen. What did his family think of that? How had they treated him? Were they supportive, or had they written him off as a failure?
'Guess I'll find out soon enough.'
[There is one more critical piece of information you must understand,] the system said, its text taking on a different quality, as if the words carried extra weight.
Ariel tensed. Something about the phrasing set off alarm bells.
[You currently possess two Celestial Wills within your body, but they remain unintegrated. The gods granted you their power, but that power has not yet fully merged with your soul and physical form. Think of it as having two massive reserves of energy sitting inside you without proper channels to access them.]
'Okay, that doesn't sound good. What happens if they're not integrated?'
[In your current state, you cannot utilize the Celestial Wills. They are present but inaccessible, locked away until the integration process is complete. Furthermore, carrying unintegrated divine power places strain on your mortal vessel. While you are not in immediate danger, prolonged existence in this state is inadvisable.]
[I can facilitate the integration process if you wish. However, you must be made aware of the risks.]
The screen changed, displaying what looked like a warning label in bold red text.
[WARNING: CELESTIAL WILL INTEGRATION]
[The process of integrating divine power into a mortal vessel is extremely dangerous. Your body, mind, and soul will be forcibly rewritten to accommodate energies they were never designed to contain. The pain involved is beyond anything you have experienced. Your nerves will interpret the process as being simultaneously burned, frozen, crushed, and torn apart from the inside out.]
[There is a genuine risk of death. If your will falters, if your body proves too weak, or if your soul cannot withstand the pressure, the integration will fail and you will die. Even with your unusually high Will attribute, success is not guaranteed.]
[However, successful integration will provide immediate benefits. Your rank will increase automatically as your body adapts to house divine power. Your Celestial Wills will advance from Dormant to Awakened tier, granting you access to basic abilities from both the Cosmos and Chaos domains. Your attributes will see significant improvement. You will take your first real step on the path to becoming a true avatar.]
Ariel stood up from the bed, pacing across the luxurious carpet. His mind raced, weighing the information, analyzing the choice before him.
'I could die. Actually die again, and I just got here. But if I don't integrate these Wills, what's the point? I accepted the gods' offer. I agreed to become their avatar. I can't do that if the power they gave me is just sitting inside me unused.'
He thought back to his death in the alley. The fear. The pain. The absolute helplessness as that thing wearing a child's face cut his throat. He'd been powerless then. Completely and utterly powerless.
He thought about his life before that. Seventeen years of being used, discarded, told he was worthless. Seventeen years of having no control, no agency, no power over his own existence.
'No. I'm not going back to being powerless. I'm not going to waste this chance. If I die, at least I die trying to be something more than I was.'
The decision crystallized in his mind with absolute clarity.
"System," he said aloud, his voice steady despite the fear coiling in his gut. "I want to integrate the Celestial Wills. Both of them. Now."
[Acknowledged,] the system responded. [Before we proceed, I must emphasize once more: the pain will be indescribable. Many candidates with stronger bodies and higher attributes than yours have failed this process. Your Will attribute of 20 gives you a chance, but only a chance. Are you absolutely certain?]
Ariel looked around the room one more time. The expensive furniture. The weapons on the walls. The sunlight streaming through tall windows. This life, this world, this opportunity, it was everything his Earth self had never had.
He wasn't going to squander it by being afraid.
"I'm certain," he said firmly. "Do it."
[Integration process will commence in ten seconds. I recommend lying down. Once the process begins, it cannot be stopped. You will either succeed or you will die. There is no middle ground.]
[10...]
Ariel moved quickly back to the bed, lying down on the silk sheets.
[9...]
His heart pounded in his chest. Thump thump, thump thump, thump thump.
[8...]
'This is insane. This is completely insane.'
[7...]
'But I've always been a little insane. Had to be, to survive what I survived.'
[6...]
His hands clenched into fists, gripping the sheets.
[5...]
'Come on, Ariel. You've been through worse. You've survived worse.'
[4...]
'Actually, no, that's a lie. This is probably going to be the worst thing ever.'
[3...]
His breathing quickened despite his attempts to stay calm.
[2...]
'Too late to back out now. Just have to endure. Just have to survive.'
[1...]
[Integration commencing. May your will prove unbreakable, Avatar.]
[0]
DING!