The bus jerked forward and slowly started moving.
I took a seat by the window and stared at my reflection. I looked… normal. Like someone just going about their day, not expecting anything special from it.
And that's when a perfectly logical question came to mind.
Why magic?
Seriously.
No skills.
No talent.
No hints whatsoever.
And yet, for the second day in a row — a magic-related task.
"System," I thought. "What is magic even used for?"
The window appeared instantly.
####################
SYSTEM — INFORMATION
Magic is used for:
State combat units
• Professional arenas
• Specialized military divisions
Magic is applied at higher stages of development
by users who choose combat or strategic paths.
####################
I frowned.
"So…" I muttered. "War and entertainment?"
I continued.
"What's the difference between arena fighters and the army?"
####################
SYSTEM — INFORMATION
Primary difference:
Army — stable development, basic levels, state service
• Arenas — accelerated growth, high risk, individual builds
Arena fighters:
• form independent combat squads
• are used by the state during crisis situations
• are deployed to eliminate threats and anomalies
####################
I let out a quiet chuckle.
"Got it. Army is 'reliable,' arena is 'if you survive.'"
The window closed.
I thought about it.
This wasn't… for me.
I was an ordinary citizen.
People like us usually stopped at level twenty and went no further.
I summoned the system again.
"At what level can you even start leveling magic?"
####################
SYSTEM — INFORMATION
Magic development becomes available at level 30.
At level 30, the following unlocks:
• access to arenas
• eligibility to join the state military
• selection of a magic specialization
####################
I froze.
"Level thirty…?"
Most people barely reached level twenty.
I had never thought about it. Never asked. Never cared.
When money is your main problem, future levels don't really matter.
The bus stopped.
The library.
I stepped inside and looked around. Quiet. Calm. The smell of paper and dust. A place where time seemed to move slower.
"Do you have any books on magic?" I asked.
"Yes, we do," the librarian replied.
"What's the thinnest one?"
She looked at me, then at the shelves.
"Give me a moment."
She disappeared between the rows and returned with a book in her hands.
"The thinnest one is about one hundred and fifty pages."
"What time do you close?"
"At eight in the evening."
I checked the time.
Ten in the morning.
"I can manage," I muttered. "Probably."
"May I read it here?"
"Of course."
I paid for the book and sat down at a table.
Before opening it, I summoned the system once more.
"Show the task."
####################
SYSTEM — TASK
Read one book on magic.
Reward:
• Intelligence +1
• Charisma +1
• Secret artifact
Status: Available
####################
I accepted the task.
Only then did I open the book.
It was… surprisingly easy to read.
Magic wasn't a single thing. There were dozens of branches. Elemental, non-elemental, support, strategic.
The main choice happened at level thirty — once intelligence reached the required threshold. The system would offer options. Not all of them. Only those suited to the individual.
Random.
And not quite.
Most mages either joined the army or entered the arenas.
Both paid well.
But arenas… arenas paid better.
Professional tournaments.
Championships.
Sponsors.
Arena fighters were considered the elite.
The strongest people on the planet.
I set the book aside and thought.
Why would I need this?
I didn't like violence.
Didn't like fighting.
Even thinking about it made me tired.
I had seen arenas on TV. When they were playing in other people's homes.
We barely had a working television.
My life and their world felt like different universes.
I finished the book closer to evening.
Stories.
People.
Army mages.
Arena mages.
Battles. Wars. Conflicts.
Very little concrete information.
A lot of names.
When I closed the last page, a window appeared.
####################
SYSTEM — TASK COMPLETED
Reward received.
####################
I checked the time.
Seven in the evening.
Stepping outside, I suddenly realized something strange.
I wasn't tired.
Not my legs.
Not my body.
As if yesterday's run… had never happened.
"Maybe it's the power…" I muttered, then waved it off. "Later."
I took a deep breath of the evening air.
And suddenly, I knew — I wanted to try.
Not because I was confident.
But because I was tired of living in circles.
"System," I said. "Accept the daily task."
The window appeared.
I didn't bother checking the details.
The distance home was exactly ten kilometers.
"Alright," I smirked. "Let's break the cycle."
And I started running.