Hello readers!
Going forward, A Gamer Into Trails upload schedule will go as follows:
Sunday/Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Saturday.
If you haven't checked already, I did use these couple of months to launch a new fanfiction, Samus Aran in Star Wars!
It's release schedule will go as follows:
Sunday/Monday/Wednesday/Saturday.
I will be giving myself a couple days each week (Thursday/Friday) to act as a buffer in case something happens.
I still post advanced chapters on my Patre0n, /Aht666. It's entirely free!
Happy reading!
*
Seeing this new prompt appear, I inwardly smiled. I do believe this is my very first Skill that I had unlocked that wasn't given to me through a silver spoon or from birth (Vermillion Eyes Upgrades)! Well, Master did play a role in this, but that just means I am capable of wielding Mana. So cool!
But let's not get ahead too quickly. There's proper steps left. I quickly let that thought subside, and focused on the breathing. It carried a certain rhythm to it. It wasn't random. I could feel this weird energy start sweeping through my body. It was very calm and soothing. This must be Mana.
"Umu, you are learning fast. As expected of my disciple. I did not pick wrong.", Roselia said, smirking. "But what was that buzzing just now? It does get quite annoying."
Hearing that, I paused.
"You truly are able to see the notifications of the Gamer System?", I asked after pondering whether or not I should. She had seen my memories, and now knows that this System exists. She can now easily connect to my mind since she has done so once already. I don't think it is out of the question as to whether or not she can actually see it.
"Is that what you call this thing? A System?", Roselia asked, gaining interest.
"You saw it already, didn't you? It is kind of hard to put it into words, but think of it as an anchor to any action I take or perform. It is designed in such a way to progress my personal growth, and it is attached to my very soul. I don't think there is a single being in this entire continent that can actually destroy or wipe away this System.", I explained.
Do keep in mind this conversation was being held directly in my mindscape. I wasn't actually speaking this out loud for Aurelia to hear. From her point of view, the two of us were silent, simply Meditating while riding on top of an orbal car.
"Oh? Is that a challenge I'm hearing from you?", Roselia retorted, keeping her smirk on her face. I paused again. She would be the type of person to actually attempt to do such a thing, wouldn't she?
"Haha, don't treat this lightly, Rose. If you do actually attempt to take away this System, it's basically a death sentence. Maybe you don't understand the level of its severity.", I retorted.
"Oh I know very well what it means, brat. I've been alive for one entire millennium. I know much more than you do with how the world works. It isn't hard to see this 'System' as you call it came with you from your previous life. Whoever made it latch onto you, I am quite interested in meeting them myself.", Roselia said, musing at that fact.
"You think someone planted it inside me?", I asked, growing curious. True, I didn't know the Gamer System's origin. Apart from the fact it came from a different story entirely that was called The Gamer. I only played up till Reverie, and before I knew it, the Gamer System already latched onto my soul. That in turn led to my reincarnation into Zemuria. Did I even die for that matter? I don't recall being in pain when it happened, so maybe that part was instantaneous, apart from when the system went online. That part was excruciating. Just thinking about this is creating more questions than answers.
"'Tis merely an assumption, no more no less. I am just as confused as you are about it. Perhaps this System of yours is similar to mana scrying.", Roselia suggested.
A major point of the Gamer System is quantifying my actions visually, meaning every time I do something, a screen appears to respond to said action. Is she referring to those large visual screens that everyone likes to use when a major event occurs? You know, when air suddenly distorts up above, revealing the villains at hand? It's happened a handful of times. Atop Orchis Tower is one such scene I remember. That displays their faces, despite being very far away.
"It might just be best to show this to you, rather than making assumptions.", I decided to say. I didn't shy away from my current Meditation, and continued its rhythmic breathing. I was able to divert some attention to what was before me. The new Skill, [Meditate]. It didn't take long for a blue screen to appear. Roselia's astral form shifted her attention to the blue screen before us. She had a mused look in her eyes.
[Meditate - Lv0/100 (0/100)]
A Skill that allows Gamer Naoto to enter a meditative state and cultivate Mana to restore Gamer's Stamina. Further improvement hastens the rate of Mana received. Rates can be improved on, depending if Gamer Naoto learns additional breathing techniques.
EP Recovery Rate: 1 EP/Second. (A/N: Adjusted)
And to our surprise, another notification followed suit as my breathing continued.
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has used Meditate for the first time. 200 EP received. Current EP: 1215.]
'That makes sense. As my EP pool expands, the longer it takes to fully heal it. Only for now, at least. Once I start leveling this Skill up, it will start to hasten. Depending on what the level up looks like, it will be proportionate to that. I should focus on leveling this up when I can.', I mused, seeing this.
"EP? Isn't that the same source of energy orbal devices use?", Roselia questioned.
"It sure is. The Gamer System decided what energy source is best for me to use, and it decided on EP. It gets way too convoluted if you start introducing multiple energy sources. But I guess I'll have to deal with that, huh?", I asked, wondering that myself.
"Umu. Once you've fully unlocked Mana, I dare say this System of yours will exchange EP out for Mana. In this case, would that stand fo MP?", Roselia responded.
"Hmm, that's one possibility. I don't know if it will lead to that. I do have a special Combat Orbment now that I have received from Mother. I know that I will continue using EP. It's also possible the System will try to merge these two sources of energy together. Now wouldn't that be something?"
"You're speaking of the impossible, boy.", Roselia said, scoffing at me. "That is unheard of, even for me."
"And yet, I am a walking enigma with this System. It could achieve things that some might deem impossible, haha!", I responded, laughing.
"Or so you say, Naoto.", Roselia said, sighing. It looks like the notifications didn't even stop there when I received some more EP by using Meditate for the first time. More followed suit, drawing our interest again. The blue screen blurred, and a new one popped up. It was a quest this time!
[Ding! A new Quest has been issued to Gamer Naoto: Learn Magic.]
The continent of Zemuria has a lot to offer, and is a wide, wide place that consists of many countries. It is said that Magic has been slowly lost through time, or had its theories converted through the Orbal Revolution. There are still some people out there who still know the existence of Magic and practice it in secret. It is mainly practiced by the Witches of the Hexen Clan.
The following missions are now available for Gamer Naoto:
-Locate a Witch: 1/1
-Become a Witch's Disciple: 1/1
-Use Meditate for the first time: 1/1
-Construct a Mana Core: 0/1
-Cast a Spell: 0/1
Rewards:
-Moonlight Breathing Technique
-10 Random Tier 0 to Tier 3 Quartz.
-5 Levels.
-500 EP.
-Chance to promote the title: [A Witch's Friend].
Both of us blinked at the same time seeing this new Quest appear and didn't say anything. Not only did Meditate trigger a reward for me, but to think I'd receive a Quest too?
"Is this supposed to be a reward or something? What in Aidios's name is a Quest?", Roselia asked, confused.
"Hey Rose, you're supposed to be the one with all of the knowledge. It is exactly as it sounds. I do certain actions, I get rewarded for it. Sometimes it can be as simple as one step, or it could include a string of actions. Whatever the Quest fancies, and if I finish it all, I'll receive what you see on the screen.", I answered, trying to keep it simple.
"So it is considered an 'Advancement'?"
"Something like that. You would think I would have received this Quest off the bat when I completed the first step, but I had to complete three of its five steps for the Quest to trigger. It's completely random, so I don't really rely on these. But if they do show up, I'll gladly accept them. They make something not tangible into something tangible.", I replied, smiling.
"I can see that. Quite an amazing feat. Only Alchemists of old could even attempt such crude methods, and yet this System of yours makes that a reality. I was right to accept you as my Disciple.", Roselia replied with an amused look in her eyes.
"Alchemy, huh? Not my cup of tea. And I have these Quests to supplement that. They're additional motivators for me, and could provide implications of what happens in our coming future.", I said.
"You definitely know what will happen in those coming years, but who knows if any of that will even happen. You're here now, Naoto. Your presence was not among those memories at all. For all I care, all of that is fake."
"It may look fake to you but it's real to me. At least in the heart. Truly a fantastic story, and now I get to create my own from now on. It's as you say Rose, I'm here now, and that is all that matters~", I replied, teasing her.
"Yeah yeah. Do not be that coy with me. I do want to know, though. Was this your only Quest you've had thus far? Your training with that Father of yours looks like it's progressing well.", Roselia asked with an interested look.
"It has. Training with Father has been pretty busy, but up till now, only one Quest has triggered. I didn't have an active role in it, but still got rewarded for it. I also have a Daily Quest I'm managing. This one's a little different. I have to do certain actions every day to experience the entire reward, otherwise it fails.", I answered.
"That sounds a little forceful, don't you think?", Roselia asked.
"Unfortunately. Not the type of Quest I particularly fancy, but they typically lead to personal growth, and I'm curious to know what it will give me. For now, why don't you have a look at my Status? Once you see it with your own eyes, you should get a better understanding of the Gamer System.", I suggested.
"Very well. Lead away."