[The Chamber of Ascendance is ready for its first activation. The temporal ratio is set. All systems are nominal.]
[Would you like to enter now, Master?]
"Yes."
The single word left my lips, imbued with all the cold fury of a vengeful spirit.
The world dissolved.
It wasn't a violent tear or a dizzying spin. It was a gentle, absolute dissolution. The dusty storeroom, the single shaft of moonlight, the cracked mirror—they all melted away like watercolor in the rain. One moment I was there, a small, fragile girl in a prison; the next, I was standing in infinity.
The Chamber of Ascendance was a realm of perfect, sterile white. There was no floor, no ceiling, no walls, just an endless expanse of luminous emptiness that stretched in every direction. The air was still and held no temperature, tasting of nothing. It was a blank canvas, waiting for a creator. My creator.
I stood there, a tiny speck of color in a void of pure potential. The blue system screens hovered faithfully before me, their light the only familiar thing in this place.
A sense of awe, the old Miku's otaku heart fluttering at the sheer reality of it, tried to bubble up, but the cold, hard pragmatism of Kalyth crushed it down. This wasn't a playground. This was a crucible. This was my forge.
And I was here to work.
'Okay, first things first,' I thought, my mind already shifting into tactical mode. 'I have three years. But I'm going into this blind. I know nothing about this world, its rules, its dangers. Fighting in a fantasy world isn't like a video game. I need intel.'
"Akira," I spoke, my voice the only sound in the silent void. "Before I begin, I need a full briefing. Tell me about this world. Veridia. What are the power systems? How do people fight? Is it all magic and spells like in the anime, or something else? Give me everything you've got."
[Affirmative, Master. Compiling a comprehensive overview of the Veridian power structure. This is crucial for your survival and strategic planning.]
A new, larger window materialized, filled with neatly organized text and diagrams. Akira's voice, calm and synthesized, began its lecture.
[The world of Veridia operates on several interconnected systems of power. While individuals may specialize, a true master understands them all. The primary systems are Magic, Aura, and the Class System, all quantified by the universal Soulbound Interface.]
'Soulbound Interface?'
[Correct. Almost every sentient being in this world is born with an innate connection to a system that tracks their growth. They can access a summary of their abilities by voicing the command, "Status Open." It is a fundamental law of this reality. However, your System, granted by the Goddess, is a unique and vastly superior entity. It provides functions like the Shop, the Library, and this very Chamber, which are unavailable to the native inhabitants. You are an exception to their rules.]
A flicker of pride. I wasn't just another player character; I was running on a private, modded server.
"Okay, so everyone has a basic status screen. Got it. Break down the first power system for me. Magic."
[Very well. Magic in Veridia is the art of manipulating elemental or abstract forces by channeling one's internal Mana. The efficiency of this manipulation is often aided by catalysts such as wands, grimoires, or incantations. Magic is categorized by attributes.]
The screen updated, showing a colorful, branching tree.
[The most common are the Elemental Attributes: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Ice. More complex are the Advanced Attributes: Light, Dark, Void, Time, and Space. Finally, there are Specializations, which are unique schools of magic like Summoning, Curse Magic, Healing, Enchantment, and Spirit Magic.]
'A classic D&D-style magic system. Straightforward enough. But what determines a person's aptitude?'
[That is determined by their Mana Core, Master. Every individual possesses a core that acts as their reservoir and regeneration engine for mana. The quality of this core is ranked by color, from lowest to highest: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. A White core is considered a mythical existence, not seen in millennia. A purer, higher-ranked core allows for more powerful spells, greater mana capacity, and faster regeneration.]
I glanced at my own status. My MP was 25/25. Pathetically small. My core was probably a dull, flickering Red. Something to work on later. Magic seemed powerful, but it also seemed to require innate talent and study. Time I didn't have.
"What's the next system? Aura."
[Aura, sometimes referred to as Ki or Battle Energy, is the external projection of one's own life force. It is the preferred power system for those who focus on martial prowess—warriors, knights, and monks. Unlike magic, which manipulates the external world, Aura primarily enhances the self.]
The screen shifted again.
[There are several types of Aura. The most common is Physical Aura, which drastically boosts physical parameters like strength, speed, and endurance. More advanced users can manifest Elemental Aura, infusing their bodies or weapons with elemental properties—a Flame Blade or an Ice Fist, for example. A rare and dangerous form is Killer Aura, an intent-based projection of will that can overwhelm and paralyze weaker opponents through sheer presence.]
My eyes widened. That sounded useful.
[Beyond those are legendary types, such as Divine or Draconic Aura, typically only possessed by beings of immense power like ancient heroes or, well, dragons.]
"How is mastery measured?"
[Aura mastery is defined by titles that denote one's level of control and power output. The progression is as follows: Novice Aura User, Aura Warrior, Aura Knight, Grand Aura Knight, Aura Master, Aura Saint, and the legendary rank of Aura King or Emperor.]
'So while a mage is ranked by their core, a warrior is ranked by their title. It's a parallel path.' The pieces of this world were starting to form a coherent picture. A world where a swordsman could be just as deadly as an archmage.
"And the third system? The Class."
[The Class System, known in-world as "The Fate Path," is perhaps the most defining aspect of a person's identity. Upon coming of age or experiencing a moment of great trial, an individual awakens a Class. This Class dictates their innate talents, potential skill trees, and general path of growth.]
'So it's not just about what you train, but what you are.' I noted that my own Class was listed as 'N/A'. I hadn't awakened one yet. Another advantage. I could choose my path.
[Classes are broadly categorized,] Akira continued, displaying a new list. [Combat Classes include foundational roles like Swordsman, Mage, and Archer. Hybrid Classes, such as Spellblade or Paladin, blend magic and martial skill. Support Classes focus on roles like Healer, Alchemist, or Tactician. And finally, there are Unique Classes—rare and powerful paths like Reaper, Hero, or even Demon Lord, which often have nonlinear progression based on one's deeds or destiny.]
"So you level up your Class?"
[Correct. Classes evolve at specific level milestones: 30, 60, 100, and 150, unlocking new abilities and potential. The theoretical level cap is infinite, but the highest level ever officially recorded by a human was 999, achieved by Arzenfeld, the First King of the Western Flame Empire, now known to history as The Ascended Blade.]
Level 999.
I was Level 1.
The sheer, staggering gap was like staring up at a mountain that pierced the heavens. The task ahead of me wasn't just difficult; it was monumental. A cold dread mixed with a thrill of excitement. This was a world with no ceiling. A perfect playground for my [Saiyan Potential].
"Akira, what about those other things? Guilds, Titles, Blessings?"
[Titles are special designations earned through significant achievements, granting passive bonuses. For example, the Title "Goblin Slayer" might grant bonus damage against goblins. Blessings and Curses are powerful boons or hindrances bestowed by higher beings—gods, demons, or ancient spirits. They can grant incredible power, like fire immunity, but often come with a steep price.]
[Lastly, there is the phenomenon known as Awakening. It is a rare transformation, typically triggered by a near-death experience, a moment of profound emotional upheaval, or a divine trial. An Awakening can dramatically amplify one's powers, mutate their magic, and unlock hidden potentials within their Class.]
A near-death experience. Profound emotional upheaval. My lips twisted into a bitter, knowing smile. Kalyth's life had been nothing but that. And my own death on Earth… maybe I was already primed for it.
The briefing concluded, the final windows fading away, leaving only my status screen hovering in the white void. The information settled in my mind, not as a collection of facts, but as a battlefield map. A map filled with towering peaks I had to climb and shadowy valleys I had to navigate.
My goal was clear. I didn't need flashy magic or a noble Class right now. I needed raw, undeniable physical power. I needed to become strong enough to break down a dungeon door and fast enough to evade trained guards. That meant focusing on the basics. Aura. And pure, hard stats.